Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-02-15
Boundary Line Dispute.

ANNAPOLIS, FeD. IO.-The Speak
er laid before the House of Delegates
letter from Governor Fleming, OF
West Virginia, to Governor jackson,
together with joint resolution pass
ed by the Legislature of West Vir-
ginia in relation to the boundary
line between that State and Maryland.
The letter, dated Charleston, w.
Va, February 8, is as follows;
Hon. e. Z. Jackson, Governor
Of Maryland. Dear sir: / am di-
rected by the Legislature of West
Virginia to transmit to you a copy
of Senate joint resolution number
four, inclosed herein, with the re-
quest that the same be communicated
by you to the Legislature of Mary
land. Respectfully yours, A. r..
FLEMING.
The resolutions referred to are as
follows Whereas there has been
for many years dispute between
this State and the State of Maryland
as to the true location of the boun.
Diary line between them, commenc-
ing at the Fairfax stone and run
ming northward to the Pennsylvania
line, the dispute involving triangle
of land about three-fourths of a mile
wide on the Pennsylvania line, with
its apex terminating southwark at
the said Fairfax stone,' the eastern
line of said triangle being known as
the "old Maryland line," and the
Western line, known as the New
Maryland Line > and whereas both
States claim, and one is now attemp-
ting to exercise jurisdiction over
this disputed territory, and serious
conflicts have arisen between citi-
zens of Maryland and this State over
claim to the same tract ofland under
titles derived from their respective
States and whereas it is highly i'm
portant to the citizens of both States
involved in these controversies that
the true boundary line between their
States should be established on an
equitable and just basis as to the
rights of all parties concerned
Therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of
West Virginia, That the dispute be-
tween this State and the State of
Maryland about the boundary line
running from the Fairfax stone to
the Pennsylvania line: northward be
adjusted and settled in manner as
follows The Governor of this State
shall select an arbitrator, the State
of Maryland shall chose an arbitrator
in such manner as their Legislature
may direct, and said arbitrators so
chosen shall chose a third arbitra-
tor, and the three so chosen or ma
jority of them, after being duly
sworn, shall proceed to establish the
boundary line between the said
States commencing at said Fairfax
stone end running northward to the
Pennsylvania line. Said arbitrator
shall adopt or propose to their re-
putes between their citizens as to the
land titles derived from said States
within the disputed territory. The
award and adjustment of said arbi-
traitors, when confirmed by the Leg
islature of this State, shall be final
and binding upon it, provided it
shall be ratified and confirmed by
the State of Maryland. Said arbi-
traitors shall be neither citizens of
the State of Maryland, West Vir-
ginia, or Virginia. The arbitrator
for their services shall receive $40
per day each for the time actually
employed by them in said arbitration,
with the same mileage as is allowed
to members of the Legislature of
West Virginia, and other necessary
expenses. All of the compensation,
mileage and expenses shall be paid
by the States of West Virginia and
Maryland equally. Each State is to
have the right to be represented by
cOunSeln