Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-07
WILL TRY TO SETTLE.
THE WEST VIRGINIA DEBT RESOLu'
TlOkS PASS THE HOUSE.
The Governor I'm Accord with the Move
ment for Adj OF
the Resolutions.

Inc west virginia OcDt-Htth'ih'hN 'N
lutions which passed the Senate Monday
were concurred in by the House OF Dele
gates yesterday.
Prior to this action on the part OF the
lower branch Governor OFerrall sent
special message to the General Assembly
showing that he was in hearty sympathy
with the movement to effect a settlement.
The Governor, after citing the moral
obligation Virginia is under TO attempt
settlement for and In behalf Of the hole
ers Of certificates for West Virginia's por-
tiOn of the debt OF the undivided state,
says:
COMMISSION RECOMMENDED.
Il would, therefore, respectfully recon-
mend the appointment OF a commission to
treat with West Virginia on the subject
indicated. taking care in no event to bind
Virginia expressly or impliedly for any
amount save and except such amount as
may be found due from West Virginia
as her part Of the debt OF the State con-
tracted while the territory embraced with
in her boundaries was part OF Virginia.
and to protect fully Virgina's interests, the
aC~istment might be made subject To the
ratification and approval Of her General
Assembly at It's next session.
! would respectfully submit that in pur-
suing such a course no harm whatever
could possibly result to Virginia, and she
would be relieved Of any charge that
having secured "A settlement OF her part
Of the debt she is unwilling to fulfil her
implied promise at least. and which was
part Of the inducement which led heb
creditors to accept her new bonds for
two thirds OF the debt.
VIRGINIA PROGRESSING.
Virginia is progressing in material
wealth. However much she may have suf-
fcred for years by reason Of the difficult
ties which encompassed her. she Is fully
restored to her original high position
among the States in the Union. Capital,
which for a time was withheld from her,
is seeking investments within her borders.
Let her not 10y any act Of commission or
omission weaken herself i'm public cstlma-
ton. | am aware the present session Of
the General Assembly has reached its
constitutional limit, but IT can\be extended
for IA brief period without. ! hope any
serious inconvenience 10 its members and
! believe such an extension for the pur>
pose indicated would be regarded as a
patriotic act, fraught with much good to
the Commonwealth"
MIR. GIBSON'S VIEWS.
W i'h lllF message Itl Dttn fttiQ IN the
House Mr.. Gibson was recognized. and
said he had no objections 10 the com
mission being appointed by the House,
but that he would object to a commis-
sion appointed under the recommendation
of that message. which laid down certain
constitutional provisions that he dii not
believe. Il don't believe" said Mr. Glib
son, Virginia il under any obligation to
force any settlement upon West Virginia.
She has already fulfilled her constitutional
obligations when she assumed two thirds
of the debt and issued her bonds therefor.
That was all the Constitution required
her to DO"
Mr.. Randolph Harrison said SO far as
any constitutional obligations were in
volyed he endorsed what had been said
by Mr. Gibson.
THE RESOLUTION.
The Flood resolution was read by the
Clerk. IT eliminates the Objectionable fea-
lures which caused the defeat Of the
Wickham resolution in the House, and in
substance provides that there shall bo
commission of seven-thrce from the SEN
ate. including the chairman Of the Com
mittee on Finance and Banks. and three
from the House Of Delegates including
the chairman Of the Finance Committee
and one resident Of Virginia, to be ap-
pointed by the Governor
The Governor Is requested 10 transmit
to the Governor of West Virginia a copy
Of the resolution. to the end that a COM
mission may be appointed by the next
General Assembly OF West Virginia 10
meet the Virginians for the purpose Of
an amicable adjustment Of the amount
due by the State Of West Virginia 10 tho
holders Of the securities known as the
Wet Virginia certificates.
Mr. TretloW said he was NJ 1rsr opposed
10 the resolution I'm regard u the debt set
tlcment question. but he now favored It.
4 vote was taken. and the House con-
CURED in the resolution.
THE COMMISSIONERS CHOSEN.
Later IN the day the TWO members who
will. with Chairman John y. Moon, OF the
Finance Committee. constitut" the COM
mittee on the part Of the House, We're
elected. Mr. Cardwell nominated Mr..
Henry Downing: Mr. Harris nominated
Captain Camm Patteson. AMI Mir Digs
nominated Mr.. Randolph Harrison.
Nfessrs. Logan and Bryant seconded the
nomination Of Mr. Harrison; sir. Har-
wood seconded the nomination OF the
Duke Of Buckingham" and that Of Mr..
Downing was seconded by NJ Mason.
on Mr.. Cardwalrs motion ii was decided
that each member vote for two candi-
dates. and the two receiving ;hc highest
number of votes be declared elected.
This resulted in the election OF Messrs.
Downing and Harrison.
The Senate members, as shown IN the
report OF that body. are Messrs. Berry
Wickham, and Flood.