West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-10-28


history OF West Virginia is unlike
that of any OF her sister States she
was emphaticallJ the offspring Of the
late terrible civil war. At the
breaking out of the war, her people
were about equally divided on the
questions out Of which it grew hence
she furnished soldiers for both Of the
hostile armies, by reason Of which she
lost a greater per cent. of the labor
and lives Of her people than probs-
bly, any other portion Of the country.
Her territory was alternately over
run by the contendiDg and hostile
armies, and suffered her full share in
the loss and destruction of property.
These oauses left her people at the
close Of the war poor indeedj but TO
to add to her embarrassment, the
new State on taking leave OF her
houored old mother, honestly and
honorably promised to assume and
pay her equitable proportion OF the
debt Of the old State. At the close
Of the war, the Legislature Of Viz
ginia renewed her obligation to pay
her Indebtedness, about two-thirds
thereof, without condition, aud the
residue when she could have set
Element with West Virginia, Al
though West Virginia has ever since
been willing and anxious to have
this settlement, It has never been
made, and so long as it Is delayed
neither Virginia or West Virginia
can hope to advance much either in
wealth or population. But 1 have
no idea that West Virginia is Sc
riousIy indebted on fair set Element,
but should it turn out otherwise, it
is far better for both the States to
honestly and honorabiy settle, and
pay their indebt edness if they can,
and IT not, renew their promises to
pay when able; both individuals and
States can honorably acknowledge
and oa0e their debts, but they cannot
honorably repudiate them. But
there is but little danger of West
Virginia having much, II any, of the
Virginia debt to pay, and it is of the
utmost Importance that the public
men Of West Virgins should turn
their attention to the settlement Of
the question. The only controversy
be weeE the two Statss IS, or can be,
what proportion OF the debt of Vir-
ginia should they respectively pay.
This the Supreme Court Of the Unlted
States can settle ii it becomes neces-
sary.
The climate of West Virginia lie
equal to that OF any of her neigb Dor.
ing States, and much better than that
OF most Of the Western States. Where
families separate here, a part gong
to the Western States, those emigra-
ting, as a general rule, die long be-
fore those remaining at home. Doc
tor bills here "are few and far be-
tween" compared with those in most
of the western States.
West Virginia has hundreds of
thousands OF acres of virgin soil
covered with fine timber, underlaid
with heavy beds OF coal and mineral,
and when prepared for cultivation,
will produce any of the agricultural
products equal to any of the lands Of
the Eastern or Middle States. The cen.
sus of 1880 discoloses the fact that in
1879 the land of West Virginia pro-
duced more wheat 10 the acre than
those OF Pennsylvania, yet our lands
sell tor little more than half what they
command in our neighboring States,
Our own county, with an area OF
near 800 square miles with popu-
Iation Of only about 10000, can fur
nish comfortable homes for as many
more, for half they would cost in the
adjoining counties Of Fayette and
Sommersette, Pennsylvania. Would
it not be well for the press OF our
State to call she attention Of the
public to these and kindred facts 2
1t SCENE TO nae that the Virginia
State debt, particularly, should be
settled, as it now stands it drives
both capital and population from our
borders.
VIM. G.. BRowE.
I