Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-06


Such being the case, the in
Quiry under the ordinance and
constitutional enactments hereunder
are; What was the bonded debt OF
Virginia prior to January, 1861, how
much was contributed by the counties
now composing West Virginia, and how
much was expended within its limits Of
the territory of West Virginia?
The funded debt of Virginia on jan
nary the 1st, 1861, was SCI, us, S6722.
The amonnt contributed by West
Virginia after deducting her pro-
portion Of the expense OF the
state Government t3,oSSVVOUO
The expenditures within West Nir-
GINA FROM 1882 (Which was date
OF first issue OF bonds in virginia.
to January lst, 1891, was S,S659S929
Leaving surplus Of contribution
over expenditures 595, O1O.1l
Thus il is seen that according to the
ordinance prescribing the conditions Of
settlement between Virginia and West
Virginia, that West Virginia is not in
debted to Virginia. but on the
contrary, West Virginia's con-
tribution is more than one-half million
dollars In excess of the expenditures
within her limits. This statement OF
the case is absolutely defensible at Law,
and at the same time perfectly just.
Such being the case, without any re-
gard TO the fact of the ordinance set
thing the principles of payment,
and without regard to the fact that
about thirty millions of this debt has
been expended in Virginia, making her
one Of the seats of a vast commerce,
whilst Western Virginia sat in the shade
OF her eternal forests and in the silence
Of her undeveloped mountains. Vir-
ginia in 1871 assigned to West Virginia
one-third Of her debt.
This action was in the teeth OF the or
dinance which provided that the proper
tion Of the debt to be assumed by West
Virginia under the certain conditions
therein above set out should be that
part prior to January the first, 1861.
The legislature of Virginia after COM
pounding the debt several times, pro-
portioDed. it as Of July, 1861, making
the whole debt and interest S45,71S,-
1928 and set aside to West Virginia
S15,T3S, 470.74, which with interest
would make the colossal sum Of thirty
FIVE millions rs West Virginia's debt.
This was done without agreement or
settlement with West Virginia, and, as
you see, not alone was the Ordinance
absolutely governing the settlement
ignored, out the ordinary and general
rules of equity in such cases were dis
regarded.
A plain statement without argumen-
tation will Illustrate this proposition:
In settle and division Of any pro-
perty by equity an assignment Of liabil-
ity or property based upon acreage AID
population will not obtain. This is
what has been arbitrarily done by Vir-
ginia. This whole debt was created to
build institutions. construct railroads,
canals and turnpikes, deepen har6ors
and improve navigation. In other
words, this expenditure was not for
general good, but rather for local bene-
fit. The bulk of these improvements in
West Virginia arising from the expend-
iture Of public moneys consisted OF one
or two turnpike roads and an incom-
plete insane asylum, whilst Nir-
GINA was covered with splendid
turnDikes, crossed with canals and rail-
roads, with her harbors improved and
navlgable rivers deepened, and millions
of the public funds were laVished upon
her public buildings and institutions.
Then when the expenditure of these
public moneys for these purposes had
caused grand cities to rise, and every
element of wealth and improvement to
be found in one section and not in the
other, would IL be honest and equitable
TO assign q debt or create a liability
upon a mere question Of acreage and
population.
Virginia spent all OF the public
moneys, excepting two or three mil
lions, within her present limits for these
improvements. She has them yet and
has reaped the benefit from them for
almost half century, whilst this State
had practically nothing. Every good
West Virginian reveres and loves the
good name of the old State, but West
Virginia has no interest whatever In the
payment of these certificates.
1t IS true that these "West Virginia
Certificates" were issued by Virginia,
but as we understand it, she was re-
leased from any part of them and the
persons interested in them are for the
most part the spectators who have
purchased them.
These certificates have never been
recognized by West Virginia. She ut
terly repudiateS any liability
hereunder and had nothing to do with
them, and, so far as she is concerned,
they are not worth the paper upon
which they are written. West Virginia
has no debt, nor is she liable for any
part Of the Virginia debt / am well
aware that the usual agencies will at
tempt TO create a contrary impression,
but the citizens of our State thoroughly
understand the situation.
We are building the railroad, open
ing the mine, telling the forrest, and,
with low taxation and an intel
ligent and vigorous population we are
pushing rapidly forward to our goal as
one Of the first producing States in the
Union.
Not wishing the State to be injured
b. the statement going the rounds Of
the press, that we have upon US the
terrible burden Of a State debt, have
written brief statement Of the matter
without attempting to argue the ques-
ton.
West Virginia never issued bond,
asks no credit and owes neither in law
nor equity a dollar.
Very truly yours,
VIM. A. MACCoRKLE,
Governor Of Vest Virginia.
THE earlier symptoms Of dyspepsia,
such as distress after eating, heartburn,