The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-14
THE TWO VIRGINIAS' SHARES.
Shall West Virginia be Held Responsible
for the Mother States Debts?
TEE NEGRO MINISTER TO Be RECALLED.
Harrison Disguised With His Hayti Repre-
sentatiVo-B Blaine Wants a White Man
Appointed Capital Notes.

WASHINGTON, d. c., April l8.-lSpecial.l-
TheGoyernment officials are straining every
point 20 impede the States in tho collection Of
tho direct tax ordered TO be refunded bg the
last Congress. To-day the cnims Of about
dozen States were heidup. some of them upon
old accounts running back many years that
havo been raked up from Government
archives against the States. The demand Of
Vest Virginia for tho refund Of that States
proportion Of the direct tax has been declined,
and the claim help up on the grounds that it
directly interested the State Of Virginia. Ac-
cOrriing 10 the decision Of the FIRST Comp
troher, West Virginia Is held accountable for
portion Of an obligation incurred 10y Viz
gina 10 the general Government years ago
The substance of this decision ], that prior
T. the war tho general Government invested
$1,000. 900 Of money 10 held in trust for the
Indians on bonds of the State OF Virginia.
That these bonds We're never redeemed. and
the Government still holds the claim against
Virginia That as West Virginia was part
Of old Virginia at the time of this transaction
when tho obligation was incurred. West
Virginia is responsible 90 the general Govern
mont for 10, share. but, at the same time. II is
conceded that the claim of Virginia cannot
he withheld either on tle same ground or be-
cause of the other CLAIM tine general Govern
mcnt may have against that State.
TIE DISTINCTION EuLMNFD.
The distinction is explained by the able
officials Of the Government on tine basis that
when the Federal Congress passed the Direct
Tax act West Virginia was apart Of Virginia
As thc latter was 70 aState of the Confeaoracy. her
o.icals ignored the eact of the Union Congress.
Subsequently Virginia was dsmemlered and
West Virginia created Under the Union
Influences and promises the State proceeded
80 organize regiments aud g. equip them
f.r tle Union army go tho expense of the
ttate Later ON, when the Federal troops
lad entire pCsse sSIon of the territory Of West
Virginia, the authorities al Washington im-
Ieratlvely demanded payment Of the direct
ta2. The West Virginia treasury was eN-
lu.ted and there was no means apparently.
O. cIlectiug taxes in addition 10 those already
la,d. I'm Tins dilemma. and TO sppeaSc the ur-
gent demand of the Federal authorities. the
State officials replied that West Virginia had
q claim against the general Government Of
eff5O00 for munitions Of war supplied 10 the
troops for Federal service. and that the State
would agree o. surrender tins entire claim for
receipt in full for its direct tax
Tou ARE HELD ocoUNTAmE."
As the Government was getting about three
times a- much a- 10 demanded from West
Virginia. one claim was permitted 10 offset the
other. Now when West Virginia asks for the
rflul for the amount # direct tax the State
Was credited with, Uncle Sam replies "Nou
ore held accountable for your proportionate
share iHr claim held against your mother
Hts.' Governor lrmlng ana eN-Oohgress-
-.'- "A-A I'D were mere to-uaF Wglng the
prompt UaEmcut of West Nlrgnil's claim. but
% was denied Later however, It was ar
ranged that the Attorney-GenerM VIII hear
arguments on the question in about three
weeks. As stated. the same point cannot be !
uaue against irSlnla a cltn. II was lhe Cd,
!ocl ~ congress 10 nave tnls money returned
70 ~. o"'e7, ahH as nearly as prac-
uGauie 20 tnC individuals from whom IT was
t4heA on the ground mat the levy was
unjust ana uncois suiuiionai- lhe act was
caIeiuiiy prepared VIII tli- view. tut, 1i /
course petty red-tapo offiolos can easily de-
tect i@"s I'D ihc acts of Congress. In regard /
,.'f,o '."i's I4 "Hcn lA' oreci YAK was /
'lY'- '".!' l''t.1, 'l' I'"
'''- il '.' 7-'..i i''-7l '-li7 AIei ON'''o-
f', 'i'"h meaning e,
''-. l-',.''. 9'i'i, ~ D' ',iu,i ,,
i""''iYt''' lI"!l WHch trt TAX ""9
,'ie' W 'h' lt-h mons "l
...N -'D--,, "'.. ,'l'' no Ii7-.-Di.l' W. /
,-..",. '..' o'il' W .tH'i w '-f
' '' r''F'H' 'lA' '''"i'' ~
,r. ~, .,.,., ,.. ..,--
'-'' '''
-" lA "i ltF'd 'N tAr Hil,HN "I- +
'e- lr "a i'r.ile manner u"m tna c.c- /
-'i Virginia, the l1nt Comptroller ana /
.'t '''h'Id 'NHcrd' i"l A" c4'.ih /
.-'-'. ihr STATE can become % barrier -o iis +
lrrp. payment upon tle proper demand .
mate. The general Government is /
bound fo deliver Tire amount of money O. /
i'" Virginia State authorities. to be- 10y |
en pad over lo the persons from /
"-on lt was collected. or tAer legal 7
-'.'. ~. f'hA r enlhe.y sao 30 /
t".,..i '' - l, 80, ,,,.-..,'t 10, /
,,Iicb fl,c et,t. ,r ,,,.,i -,. b., .4restaJ
!. tIe jac'.',n ms to WIN ,r",,o,ti5n of tho /
delt of thc0ld STATE Wc.t Virginia is response /
de for OF course if tic action OF the Comp /
trollcr shall he sustained and West Nrrginla's /
share of the direct tax bee retained because ot .
the obligation OF old Virginia, then the gues- /
tlOn oi the proper share ~ tho now states /
obligations ior inc o.d states ccbis becomes |
Tuy NycFo ,-fvrsrrp TO DE rrc,r1Yp.
Minister Douoln.s 10 Uayti. will be recalled |