The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-05-14
Tho AnteCedentS of the PFesent Debt oil
virginia ana west Virginia.

Wollsburg Herald.
We don't like to harrow up the feelings
Of our Democratic friends unnecessarily
and particularly when they seem to be
doing their level best In the discussion Of
the debt OF the Virginias to make our
share OF tho same au small as possible and
TO hold the old State for not the lions
share only, but for the share Of pretty
much the whole caravan; but when they
come to Gay that It has never been . rarty
question, and 10 give TO the public the i'm.
preston that the Republicans, or old
Whigs, az a party, should be In any sort
held responsible iot the shape OF things
It becomes time to call for REIMBURSEMENT
OF that matter. The first question that
presents itself Ia In this shape: What
party is responsible for the legis.
islion before the division Of the
State by which the portion OF
the State now composing old Virginia was
allowed to spend, according 10 their &C.
count, nearly all the proceeds Of the bonds
that now constitute the joint debt, within
their own boundaries, and how comes II
that the counties now comprising West
Virginia allowed 1t? These latter bad their
representation In the State Legislature, at
least no one ever disputed that, and their
delegates were fair representatives OF their
constituents and voted on all the appro.
pristions made, with their eyes open aud
Inc full knowledge OF those constituents.
How happened 1t, then, that In 1851, Of
about $4,000 900 public money spent, the
western third oil the State only had about
on e.thirtieth In value 10 show for it7
The answer that occurs to Us, was Dem.
ocratiC mismanageme1 The bulk Of the
debt WAS contracted within twenty years
preceding secession; some ten millions OF
II within a very tew years preceding that
event, and during all that period, some
thing calling itself Democracy had entire
control oil the State, elected about all the
Governors, most Of the Congressman, and
had undisputed mSjotities at every SEES
sion OF the Legislature. The Democratic
party made the debt, and The Democratic
party, through greed on one part, and i'm.
providence on the other, spent the money
lust where we find the bulk OF the invest.
ments now. They aud no other party did
II.
They had bad practice those days
yClept logtolling that Ia responsible iot
much ofit-the big,sound timber beingre'
volved over toward tide water; the mean,
worthless stuff stopping III the West Viz.
ginia hollows where most tf the Democ.
Tacy had their d1miCiles. A vote for a
$500 900 railroad east OF the Blue Ridge
was looked on as only fair trade for a
$500 mud road In Senator Harefofd'A
idet strict" A little Richmond flAttefy
helped nightly. In this way, and other
very similar ways, It came about thai
twenty nine thirtsths Of the Virginia i'm.
pruveinents lie east Of the ridge accord.
ing TO these apoIOgists for the unterfihed.
The kid glOved gentry made cat . paws o.
them and now we are. expected 10 plead
the baby act and beg OF,
There are nice questions oil casuistry
Involved and Of responsibility incurred BY
reason Of voting that we do not propose
10 10 into now, but we do not PROPOSE
that II We can help II, the Democratic
PARTY shall shitk any Of liz responsibilities
eitkef before, during otaitet secession. !
Reputation results now II will be lsEiti
mate result Of Democratic Liquidation, se
Cession included and Of nothing else.