Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-04-22
Irest Tiroinla and Me Direel To.

Washington correspondent Baltimore San.
West Virginia is having considerable
trouble in collecting her share of the direct
tax fund which was authorized to be paid
by recent act of Congress. In the first
place, the West Virginia Legislature adopt
ed resolution providing for the acceptance
of $1S1 900, which is that States share Of
the fund, in accordance with the require
ments of the law. BY an error on the part
of one of the clerks in the Legislature an
important provision was omitted To-day
Governor Fleming and his predecessor, ex-
Governor Wilson, called at the Treasury
Department with correct copy Of the res
olution, which was entirely acceptable to
the accounting officers of the department.
Governor Fleming was prepared to give
receipt for the money, but another obstacle
confronted him. The first comptroller of
the treasury now raises the question whether
West Virginia is liable for certain indebt-
edness Of Virginia to the general govern
ment. The comptroller holds that West
Virginia was a part Of Virginia when the
debt was contracted, and as the latter State
is now indebted to the government for over
81 100000, West Virginia's share Of the di-
rect tax fund should be held as a set-oG for
part of Virginia's debt This was an un-
looked for contention, so the West Virginia
Governor, accompanied by Commissioner Of
Internal Revenue Mason, went over 10 the
Department of Justice and consulted Solic-
itor- General Taft on the subject Governor
Fleming holds that West Virginia cannot
be held liable for Yirglna's debts. West
Virginia was created with the consent of the
general government, after the debt had been
incurred by Virginia, aud therefore the gen.
eral government, as all other creditors Of
Virginia, should look to that State for pay
ment. If West Virginia is at all liable, she
is liable to the State Of Virginia. but not to
the creditors of Virginia Governor Flem-
ing asked the solicitor. general to withhold
his decision on the question until the au-
th0rities of West Virginia have further OPP
portunity to examine the situation and be
heard thereon. twas agreed thata hearing
will not be called for before the 9th Of Nay
next In the meantime Governor Fleming
will make thorough examination Of the
case After leaving the Department Of JUS
tice tie Governor went over 10 Baltimore.
Arrangements are in course Of perfection
to establish democraic clubs 10 every elec-
ton precinct in the United States. The
work of organization will be carried on un-
der the auspices Of the National Association
of Democratic Clubs. The object is to have
the democracy in every town, hamlet and
crossroads in complete fighting trim for the
presidential campaign Of 1892. Represent
atiye ". J.. Wilson, Of West Virginia. who
is chairman Of the executive committee Of
the National Association, will leave here
tomorrow on 4 political tour Of the West,
having tic object above stated directly in
view. His first stop will be at St. Paul,
Mimi: from thence to various places in
North Dakota, Montana and Washington to
Oregon, and possibly to California. He will
make number Of addresses, aud will confer
on the subject Of establishing the clubs with
the local democratic managers at all the
places he stops Uastiegt0a DiPateh 70
Baltimore s,n Of 1914