The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-27
IEGISLATIVE DEBATES.
4 Plan TO Increase the EeveDne-Shnll
Virginia sue West Virginia?


Debates on two propositions were had
yesterday in the Senate and proved as inter
esting as any held during the session. The first
WIS upon Joint resolution from the House
providing for commission OF eiSht
delegates and three senators to investigate
the real value and the assessed yaluation on
tho mineral lands OF the state and report
same 10 the next General Assembly, The
resolution was offered with view of reas-
sessing the mineral lands IF tie state
and thereby providing a largely additional
revenue TO the State. Senator Fairfax spoke
on the resolution stating that while Virginia
received tax upon an assessed valuation OF
S204. 900 it was fact that the railroad COM
panies transported over S2500.OO) worth
of mine products in 1891. The county OF
Wythe. he said. was taxed upon $500
worth Of mineral products. while II IS
shown that about 100000 IN mineral
products is annually produced. This
correction of assessed valuations will en-
able the State 10 increase very
monwealth and ii will serve 10 eIualize the
taxes and thereby relieve the farmers. A
number of bills have been introduced this
session which il passed would result IN the
direct taxation of the farmer alone. notably
the Fertilizer bill With the increasedr revenue
from the mineral lands the Bureau OF lmmi-
grafton and its kindred measures could be
Senator EchOls opposed the resolution, and
gave his reasons for the reference OF the meas
ure TO the Finance Committee.
In reply t. Senator EchOs, Senator Fair
fax said that Augusta county is not taxed
upon one dollars worth OF mineral products,
while there ara located within II the largest
and most valuable manganese mines III the
nited States. This ore sells from eight
to twelve dollars per ton on cars
at the mines These mines are paving royalty
from fl.40 10 So per ton as shipped from the
mines. Thousands of acres OF land have been
sold in the Southwest within the past ten
years at from 10 to $50 per acre as mineral
land and these lands are assessed at from
fifty cents 10 % per acre only.
Senator Marshall moved that the matter be
referred 10 the Finance Committee and con-
tended that Il measure OF such importance,
which was go suddenly introduced into the
Senate without an opportunity of mature
consideration on the part of tie senators,
81 ould be referred. The Constitution, lie
said. provided for q reassessment every FIVE
years and no Oftener. What relief, therefore.
could the committee afford even II appointed,
WEsT VIRGINIA DEBT.
TIE second debate was preciptated when
Senator Wickham announced on the part OF
the Finance Committee the Joint resolution 10
make the State of Virginia bring SUIT against
Vest Virginia for the settlement of their lolnt
liability for the payment of the state indebt-
edmess prior 10 their division.
Senator Wckham stated he was directed to
present this by the Finance Committee. that
the time had come, III It's opinion. 10 ADJUST
the matter; that, "A would be seen. TIE
rights and interests Of the State Of Virginia
were entirely protected. that if delay was
had tins favorable moment would pass
and no settlement would be had until
the temper and conditions OF those
holding the West Virginia certificates had
changed; that now they were willing as q
condition precedent 10 action to formally ac-
quit the State OF Virginia from any response
bihty. not only ior the eB. 500 900 Of cefti-
icates pooled, but would indemnify against
any claim from the $500, 900 still outstanding
and also save the State harmless from any
cost or charge. that. furthermore. the State
of Virginia itself held about s3.000O00 of
these West Virgins certificates and TO that
extent would b0 benefited financially besides
obtaining an acgulescence in the con
strstrctlOn which the state and the Virginia
people have always put upon the promise Of
the state SIT forth on the face of the certih-
Gates. which construction had hitherto been
contested that the My objection he had
I heard 20 the measure was that it would create
/ dlscOrd IN the State of West Virginia but al 4
parties IN West Virginia were committed
against any payment at all; that the hig est
| moral and constitutional duty rested upon
Virginia to discharge the trust she had as
sumed. and now was the time TO do so and
! III doing 30 - protect herself.
Senator Harrison said be was opposed to
/ the bill, because it WAS solely in the interest
! OF Wal-street brokers. The certificates were
/ ID the hands o. syndicate, VIII wanted 20
use the name OF Virginia 10 boom their
speculation, of how much they could get out
! West Virginia. irginlR had settled ODhgl-
/ tons without Interference from West b II
/ GINA aud West Virginia should settle
hers without interference from irGlnia.
He also declared that he would blush for
! the attitude il which iroinia would be before
the supreme Court OF tue Dultoa States with
her sister state as % defendant. demanding
tina, she should pay her debts with guerau-
| tee from Wall street brokers when Nirg MA
herself had been 50 nes .!gent OF her oblisa
/ tiOns
Senator Jones said that he thought the res
olutiOns should lot pass, that their passage
would be political hfe brand IN West a IL
| gina and might endanger tho Democratic
party. Besides, Virginia has very little inter
| est IN the matter. aud the use OF her name as
| plaintiff IN Il SUIT against West Virginia would
| be for the benefit of brokers' who hold the
certificates and who are not seen IN this
movement
Senator Berry moved to amend the bill so
~ TO relieve him Of a personal connection
with the matter. n order that he might ad-
/ dress himself 10 the Question
The resolution went over under the rules to
be printed and WI. come up with the amend
/ NIX