The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-22
The West Virginia Debt.

II ought not to be necessary for the
General Assembly to have any more light
upon the subject of the proper disposition
OF the bull now before the Senate in regard
to the debt of West Virginia than is con-
tanned in the letter OF II. Il. BARTON, Esq,
referred TO by us yesterday. Mr.. BARTON
knows whereof he affirms. After short
introduction, he says "tbere are reasons,
and weighty ones. why the proposed bill
should not become law" and proceeds
TO classify them as follows:
Ftrst-The bill is the least public OF public
measures and the most private Of private acts
Second-It has been the best and most assidu-
ously "obbied" bill OF the session, both sides Of
subjected 10 almost constant solicitation.
7hird-The bill has in 1t no elemenG of public
nee To- a. Is TnSs. Sp0
bought MP the West Virginia certificates at very
small price and propose to increase their value by
F6urth-The alleged release of liability TO the
State ~ q delusion and snare for the reasons
given In clsssidcatons firth aud sixth, as follows
suit to make West Virginia satisfy liability rest
ing upon this State, and yet proposes In advance to
release Virginia from that liability III thus re-
leased in advance Virginia would have no liability
upon which 10 rest It's cause OF action and the suit
SirfkNWhatever technical liability there NAV
be upon Virginia for these West Virginia certih-
Gates, IL was distinctly understood that each per-
son who funded under the act of 1871 as a con-
sideration for his tax receivable coupons agreed
20 release the State of Virginia from all further
liability There ic therefore, no moral obligation
upon the tate. and no legal obligation that can
be enforced. The state has refused ever to recog-
nixe This liability, and yet for the first time this
SepsasA-If,in The ianguage OF the article TO which
this IL iatended AS q reply. :" this much " .
sswe owe 70 ourselves. TO our creditors. and tothe
fntee rity OF the Commonwealth why should we
pay This Obligation to this syndicate of specula-
tors whie ali the rest OF our creditors go unpaid
and their debts are subjected 10 the severest read
Eighfh-To pass this bill will be at once 10 pre-
etpifate war-de' controversy into the politics O
the Stale, 70 involve Us In serious litigation witt
West Virginia, and To open the hoodgaies Of dis
puse anS disagreement.
Nineh-This blu VIII at once and In the midst o
q presidential canvass involve West Virginia Will
ine readjastrnent Issue and lose the State 10 tn,
Demoera,,e party ~ i ,
cipal among which Is the allegation that "shouic
the state OF west Virginia. by declining or failing
appos,ment Of such sribunsn sspeSw .dc ny
her pleasure 70 refer said settlement 20 the Su.
prenle Court" &C., whereas I Is well known thai
under no circumstances would West Virginia con-
sent 10 such suit and regards 1t as altogether hos
tile TO her
cate, as conf rred IN section z, 10 execute the
leasa which the writer Of the article In the Neao,
claims win be snch benefit to the State
] hsye thus given nv re sons, Dir. Editor, fol
opposing the bill. mean no sort OF reflection
upon those who are by this bill seeking 10 advance
their private Interests. II Is right and honest foi
Them 10 DO so. hat u rs not right thus to sacrifice
fhe public interest 70 make money for any nan OF
set OF men. IL has been reported adversely by tbs
senate committee, and do not think would II
submitted 10 The House now receive ten Demo
cratic votes. ] can readily understand thai thu
Mahoneites, who want 20 revive the debt question
and lose West Virginia 10 Us, viii vote for the bill
Very respectfully youis. X. It. BAHToS.
The Winchester Times speaks out plainly
on the same subject. II must not be lost
sight OF that Winchester Is on the very
borders OF West Virginia. We copy from
the Times
We were surprised 10 learn that any liability
now rests upon this State for those West Virginia
Ger lfeaies. We have frequently heard Democratic
stafes7nfn utterly scout the idea OF such thing.
She c,uIl0cl biz utterly ignored them.
The decisions OF The Supreme Court ~ Appeals
upon this funding bill were based in great mea-
sure upon die relinqui bmcnf BY the bondhoiders
81 nil right 70 this tbird.
Legisia,ares, candidates. party platforms. ora
ora prcss. Of every political srg nizaiion, have
Iud Ike State OF West Virginia owed one third the
Tin Tie I,cgsa.a.ge. "a least The Democratic mcp-
,crs on ~ are pledged 10 Stand ~ The Riddle
erger Bit Which ignored and denied any liability
on INC one iilrd SCI al,srt 20 West virginia:
Tie state hrs said again and again that tne Just
fopcrtl9p Of West gtfxfgla was one miro, ana