Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-03-18
[Advertisement.l
The West Virginia Debt.
From the Wheeling Journal of March 18th.
"ERRAT1c JIM MASON"

From the Wheeling Journal of March 1sth.l
"ERRAT1C JIM MASON.
We do not use this term in the
sense of an opprobious cpithet, but
quote from the Governors message
Ito Charles James Faulkner) and ac-
companying documents. we cannot
even give endorsement to the unfilial
name attached TO our good Demo-
cratic brother. If he is % cratic
there is much - method in his mad
ness" and we believe there is enough
sagacity left in his brain and vim in
his speech to unhorse the Democratic
braves who are now trying to down
him.
Mr.. Mason has issued a card to the
people of this State, which was pub
Iished, at his request, in the Journal,
giving his connection with the West
Virginia debt syndicate and frankly
saying what his purposes are. While
there is much in the card that we dis
sent from yet we are free to say that
we have admiration for it's frankness
and straightforward business sugges-
'tions. Mr.. Mason tells us that he is
the counsel for the holders of certain
Virginia bonds, who seek settlement
with this State. Why should the
press and few partisans, who care
more for tempory aggrandize ment
than they do for q settlement of q
matter that involves our honor, seek
to create prejudice against him? ?
1t is matter of business with Mr..
Mason, and he frankly says so. 1t is
the business ofaIawyer and he should
not be blamed for it. His action,
in this instance, will compare favor
ably with those of lawyers who have
for clients capitalists who arc trying
to GUST honest citizens from their
homes by the means of some old land
patent issued in the days of Pocahon-
tas. We do not blame lawyers for
even engaging in this questionable
work, but the comparison does Mr..
Mason no injury.
We endorse Mr.. Mason's views as
to the questionable character of the
sO-callcd West Virginia, certificates.
They are swindle upon the public
and West Virginia is no more morally
or legally bound for their redemption
than she is bound for the payment
of the national debt. They were
gotten up as swindIc, and only in
tended to enable Virginia TO stave off
the payment of onc-third of her debt.
The recent action of her State Leg
islature is an evidence of the swim
ding character of these certificates.
They enable the State to hold her
creditors at an arms length and
give scmblancc of an excuse for
staving off the declaration of her own
bankruptcy. These certificates can
never become factor in the settle
mcnt of the debt question. Their
swindling character place them be-
yond the pale of recognition by a
State.
Mr.. Mason's views as 10 the i'm
portancc of settlement of this Nexcd
question. we heartily and uncquiv-
ocally endorse. Too much stress can
not be laid upon this branch of the
subject. Its interference with our
financial advancement and serious
impeachment to every industrial de-
vclopement are too plain to permit
of argument. The non-settIemcnt
of this debt question rests upon our
State, and the reason for it is plain.
We have pledged ourselves by solemn
Constitutional enactment and by
promises made to Congress when we
were admitted into the Union, that
we would pay our just portion of the
debt. That promise is unfuiIlcd.
True, it is not by our action alone,
but we are compelled to bear the
brunt of the blame i'll financial mar
kcts. Outsiders do not look upon
this matter as we do, and they cam
not be expected to. Their logic runs
aftcrthis style: Virginia owed (say)
S43 200, 900 when she was dismem-
bercd, and the new State promised to
pay her just share, but she doesn't
do it. They do not stop to consider
details. but only look for results,
especially those who own dishonored
Virginia bonds. So far as Mr.. Ma
sons efforts looking to final settle
mcnt Of this question arc concerned,
we believe they should receive the
endorsement of our citizens.
The question of ho,c much we owe
should not TO he brought into con-
sidcration. We should first try, by
4 full settlement, to ascertain if we
owe anything, and if we do, provide
for it; if we do not. let it be known,
so that the holders of Virginia bonds
may ascertain to whom they must look
for their money. and that our own
solemn pledges may be redeemed.