Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-04-23
Treasurer Commonwealth Of TTr-
ginia.
Second AuditOr.


Mr.. Camden-This, Mr.. Presi-
dent, was the end and completes,
/ think, the history OF all logisla-
ton had by either State upon this
subject, and | have recited it ind2-
tai in order to aid il q full under
standing OF the subject, and for
the purpose of showing that West
Virginia was prompt IN keeping
pace with every advance made by
Virginia toward securing an equl-
table adjustment of the public
debt under the constitutions of
the two States.
This brings me, Mr.. President,
10 the consideration Of the report
of the commissioners OF West Vir-
ginia, appointed under the act of
February 10, 1871. The commits
sioners appointed were General
John j. Jackson, of PARK ersburg,
J M. Bennett, of Lewis, and Il.
w. Campbell, of WheeIing-tWo
democrats and one republican
all distinguished for their expert
ence and ability. Mr.. Bennett
had been tie Auditor Of the State
OF Virginia for eight years preced-
ing the close of the war. Mr..
Campbell, of the Wheeling IntetH-
gencer, was one Of the ATTEST and
most p ointment Republicans in
the State. General Jackson bad
been distinguished for over half a
century in the public affairs of
the two States.
These ommiSsiOner5 entered
upon their duties promptly and
earnestly, and Judging from their
report they met with but scant
courtesy from the authorities of
Virginia. After addressing an
official communication to the Gov
6rnor of Virginia, dated August 8,
1871, the commissioners visited
the capitol of Virginia, but they
were not met by commissioners
on the part of Virginia, nor did
they receive any official recogni-
ton. They proceeded, neverthe-
less, laboriously to perform the
duties assigned them and made
a very full report.
They ascertained-I quote from
page IL of the report-that the
funded debt of Virginia on the 1st
d y of January, 1861, was $31,778,-
S67 -, after all deductions. That
all or nearly all of this debt was
incurred and actually expended in
work of public improvements,
such as canals, railroads, turnpik
es,plank-roads and bridges. That
of this vast sum, upward of $780,
100000 was expended for improves
ments in the present State of Yves,
Virginia. That the present State
of Virginia contains Al ,352 square
miles and West Virginia 20, DOC
square miles, or less than one.
third. That the counties compos.
ing what is now Virginia contain
ed, according to the census OF
1860, a population of l 90, 800, and
those composing West Virginia
only a population of 374,985, OF
less than one-fourth. And by
statement &C" of the reportit was
also shown that the whole revenue
of the State of Virginia for the
year 1860 was $3,936,S7 Sc o.
which only 1926, or less
than one-siXth, was assessed in
the counties composing the terri.
tory of West Virginia, and So, 289,
738,60i in the present territory o.
Virginia. 1t will thus be seen, Mr.
President, that West Virgins
would not be entitled to pay one.
third of the debt of Virginia as.
signed by the funding bill of 1871
either upon the basis of territory
population, or revenue.
1t will be observed also that all
or nearly all, of the debt was in
Cured and actually expended or
works OF public Improvement ,anC
that of the whole amount fol
which the debt was created only
about two and half millions wa!
expended in the territory of Yves
Virginia, and that chiefly in turn
pixies.
The report also shows that Vir
glnia on the 1st day of January
1861, held public Improvement Sc
curities to the amount of $33, 131,
900, and in addition thereto, a,
shown by the message of the Gov
ernor of Virginia March 8, 1870
&here was an amount of $9739, 092
a9 as lost,abandoned, surrendered
or released, and of course that Dor
tio1 which had been surrendered
or released between 1861 and 1871