Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-14
known as the Pierrepoint government,

taken looking 10 the apportlonment oil
the debt by either State till the 2Sth
OF February, 1866, when the General
Assembly OF Virginia, by joint resolu.
tion, authorized the appointment Of
three commissioners with the power TO
treat, first, for the restoration OF Nir-
ginia to its ancient Jurisdiction and
boundaries" and second, to treat upon
the subject OF the proper adjustment OF
the debt.
West Virginia at thelnext session Of
its Legislature passed a joint resolu-
ton on the 2Sth OF February,
1867, declining to treat for her
reunion with the old State and author
izing the appointment OF commissioners
to treat with the commissioners ap-
pointed by Virginia for the adjustment
OF the public debt so soon as the suit OF
Virginia against West Virginia pending
in the Supreme Court OF the United
States to recover jurisdiction over the
counties of Berkeley and Jefferson
should be finally determined. Suit had
been instituted by Virginia to recover
back the counties Of Berkeley and JET.
ferson in March, 1866, and no proper
adjustment OF the debt could be made
till it was determined which State had
jurisdiction over these two rich and pop.
ulous counties. The suit was not final
ly determined until March, 1871. wal
lace Reports, page 81, Virginia VS.. West
Virginia Another cause soon follow.
ell for delaying negotiations between
the two States. The reconstruction act
of Congress passed on the "a OF March,
1867, remitted the State TO Federal con.
troll where il remained until January,
! 1870, when the State government OF
Virginia, reorganized under its constitu-
ton, was recognized and the State re-
stored to representation in Congress by
act of January %, 1870.
This constitution contained the fol-
lowing section (l9) in regard to the
debt:
The General Assembly shall provide
by law for adjusting with the State OF
West Virginia the proportion OF the pub.
lie debt OF Virginia proper to be borne
by the States OF Virginia and West Nir-
ginia, and shall provide that such sum
as shall be received from West Virginia
shall be applied to the payment of the
public debt OF Virginia.
After the restoration OF the State, Nir-
ginia again by joint resolution passed
on the 18th of February, 1870, author
lied the appointment of commissioners
10 treat with West Virginia, and under
this resolution commissioners were ap.
pointed who visited the Legislature OF
West Virginia, then in session, but
within few days Of adjournment under
constitutional limitations, and by the
journal OF that body it will be seen that
a Joint resolution was introduced and
passed appointing a joint committee OF
the two houses to confer with these
commissioners, which committee Was at
ence appointed. This was followed in
few days bya Joint resolution, passed
on the last day of the session, authoriz.
ing the appointment OF commissioners TO
treat with the authorities OF Virginia.
But, in the hurry OF business incident
to the closing hours OF the session, no
provision was made to deiray the neccs-
sary expenses OF the commissioners,
aud, although the commissioners were
appointed by the Governor. they were
forced to postpone action under this
resolution till the next session OF the
Legislature.
And ! will say here in reply 10 a
charge made by the senator from Con-
necticut Mr.. Hsw.eyl-I quote from
the COBgTeSsiOn0i Record OF the 6th in-
slant, and ask the Secretary TO read it.
The Chief Clerk read as follows:
| abhor reputation in every fiber ol
my being, whether it be- OF national or
State debt. My State knows nothing Of
il. | would that no State might know
it. do not know how much or
how little there is OF II in
the Virginia campaign. | do re-
member. however, that the Republican
constitution oil West Virginia, establish
cd in 1862, promised To assume an equi-
table share of the whole Virginia debt;
| 10 know that Republican legislation
in West Virginia provided commission
to 90 to Richmond and see what should
he assumed as West Virgnia's portion
OF that debt; and | do know that when
the Democratic party got control OF
West Virginia, in 1872, 1t made new
constitution and wiped out that para.
graph, and the Democracy Of West Nir.
GINA has never TO my knowledge under
taken to carry out tue pledges made by
the Republicans OF West Virginia 10
take an honorable share ofthe debt.
Mr.. Camden-l will say IN reply 10
the Senator and 10 other Senators on
that side OF the Chamber who have
since repeated this charge, that this was
the last action taken in West Virginia
by Republican legislature in reference
to this debt question.
The Democrats elected a Democratic
governor and legislature IN 1870, and the
subsequent action to which | shall refer
was by Democratic legislature, and
under resolution introduced by my
colIeague-who was then member OF
the Legislature and whose Democracy,
| take il. will not be questioned-and
commissioners appointed by Demo.
cratic governor. But will state further
that there has never been any issue be-
tween Republicans and Democrats in
our State on this question, and as lar as
| know no political difference of Opin-
ion in regard TO it exists, and there never
has been any public action or official
expression by either party in West Nir.
glnia, that did not recognize her otliga-
tions TO assume her equitable portion OF
the debt according TO the constitution
OF 1858 when ascertA!ned.
The Democratic Legislature Of West
Virginia, on the 18th OF February, 1871,
by joint resolution authorized and di-
rected the Governor 10 appoint three
commissioners 10 treat with the author
tiles Of Virginia on this subject OF the
adjustment OF the public debt, requir.
ing them to make report thereof TO the
Governor, to be by him communicated
10 the Legislature at the commence.
ment of its next session, and made the
necessary provisions for the payment OF
their expenses, which had been omitted
in the resolution OF the previous session.
Under this resolution commissioners
were appointed, and they made very
full and exhaustive report, 20 which ]
shall take occasion TO refer.
Rut here IL ia proper 10 state in this