Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-11-27

negotiate with commissioners acting un-
der such a resolution.
1t does seem 10 me that IL should De
your first pleasure, as Gouernor OF TINS
State, to aid 10 making this suoJect IN
derstood by the people.
A VERY DIFFERENT PROPOSITION
You are informed Of the efforts by
several gentlemen Of this State, (my-
self among others), 70. teach the cred
itors that our debt does not depend on
the amount OF certificates Issued oy
Virginia. Our debt would be the same,
whether she issued one million or forty
millions Of certificates. You are also
aware that my efforts have so far failsd
because certain Wall Street Brokers
have misled many holders Of certificates
10 believe that West Virginia owes, aud
should account for the entire one-third
now represented by certificates calling
for $40, 900, coo. or course II would De
mere folly, and II would have an inJurl-
Gus effect, TO hold any intercourse with
creditors so long as they are under such
a delusion about the duty OF this state
have always insisted that the Leglsla-
ture should refuse TO even agitate TINS
subject until all the creditors have
abandoned the absurd theory set up by
these Wall street brokers. II profess TO
understand this subject. IL Will be
easier 10 compromise with creditors
claiming only i've million, than credi-
tors who are under celusiOn that west
Virginia honestly owes them $40, OOO,-
600. Within the last few days, friend
OF mine in this town, had letter from
a New York holder. he writes:
"Mr. --. (the Wall street broker,
who claims TO control pool OF certihcates)
has led me TO believe that would realize
fifty cents on the dollar for these cerun-
Gates"
You observe that fifty cents on the
dollar means that this State WHY pay
5000, coo year by way OF interest. or
course, any one at all acQuaiHted with
the merits OF this debt, sees the absurd
ity Of such a suggestion, but this letter
Illustrates how gGievouSly holders are
being misled, and how difficult 1t Is TO
bring them 10 correct understanding
OF their rights.
THE RESOLUTION HAD A CORRUPT BIRTH.
10 this connection your attention is
called to the following statement COPIED
from the POcahontas Times OF April 9TH,
1s04.) by probably the ablest, ADD GER
tainly one OF the best informed and
most trusted members Of the Virginia
Senate. He said:
This resolution had a corrupt birth,
ana is the endeayor Of Wall street parties,
VINO have a blind pool. TO make Virginia
subsequent to their scheme.
You will find, think, that the better
element in Virginia is already ashamed
OF the object and inside history OF this
resolution.
1t was public knowledge in Rich
nond, and / presume you know about
IT, that the resolution was promoted by
Wall street parties who had bought
several millions OF the certificates which
were selling last summer at two cents
on the dollar. presume you know that
these parties were represented before
the Virginia Legislature by an attorney
who contended that Virginia was under
a moral obligation 10 coerce West Nir-
ginla into making q settlement. l hope
you feel IS do, and that you re-
pei with Indignation this Wall
street theory thaS Virginia
NAV coerce West Virginia. Cur State
should settle her debt without dictatlOn
either from Wall street or from Rich
mond. In view Of the circumstances,
is il not your official duty to be diligent
to gather the facts about the secret
history Of this resolution? Ii it be true
that Virginia Is lending her name TO a
Wall street syndicate, surely the facts
should be published before the Legisla-
ture meets. 1t seems TO me that you
should not leave this task TO persons
who are not receiving a salary out Of
the public taxes.
J. NJ. MASON.
C1,C,.toe Tom, Norember 2i 1894