The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1895-02-06
A LETTER FROM HON. JAMES
CAPEHART.
The Debt Question Makes It's APP
pearance in Washington.
WASHINGTON, D. q,
r 90 1Ooe

sem Ollng OF the nrSl RepuDllcan
Legislature for many years 10 our
State, the talk of saddIing upon
West Virginia a portion Of the old
Virginia debt is revived, and it is
not all talk now. I wish 10 warn
the people of West Virginia that
now, at Charleston, the agents of the
holders of Vest Virginia certificates
(bought at from four to i've cents on
the dollar) are perfeeting their
scheme for a settlement with the
State Of Yirginia By which our lit
ll6 state IS to assume to pay Eve
millions of dollars, more or less, that
We do not owe-that we never owed.
The air here in Washington even,
is full of it; inquiries from New
York brokers and others who would
like some of this great speeu-
lation come to those who are sup
posed TO know as to the chances of
success. Agents of the syndicate
are looking after those politicians
supposed to have influence with
members of the Legislature or 9th
ers. It is reported here that one of
the Interested persons in this syn
dicate is Mr.. Elkins, aud it is said
that he is now or has been at Charl.
eston engineering the scheme. The
press of our State without regard
TO party should with one voice, and
10 no uncertain tones, condemn this
attempted robbery. Our farmers
and other tax payers are in no con-
dition to assume new burdens, and
I trust they will not patiently sub
NIT to this outrageous wrong. We
owe the State of Virginia nothing.
aud Virginia is not concerning her
self about a settlement. The ap
poin.ment of Commissioners on the
part of Virginia is but a part of a
scheme concocted by those sharks
to fleece our people. The SO. called
West Virginia Certificates have
been selling for a song-from four
to Eve cents on the dollar-and
there are millions of them, hence it
iis easy to see what sums this syndi
gate can afford to pay for influence;
n for every four or five cents ex
pended by them, they can, through
the action of our legislature receive
a dollar; if for the $500 900 expend
ed by them for the certificates our
state will bind itself to pay them
five millions, it is easy to see what
fortunes are to be made, and what
a sum for corruption they can afford
to spend.
In the State of Missouri during
re construction times there was
law which permitted county courts
to issue bonds in aid of railroads
without asking the consent of the
people. Some of the richest coun
ties in that State with the finest ag
rieuItural l. nds were ruined by such
action of their courts, which were
Inable to resist the corrupting in
iuence of railroad money; and to
ay lands in some of these counties
e almost worthless in consequence,
d are abandoned by all who can
ord to leave them. On some of
courts the outraged people
oaked summary vengauce, more
an one county Judge stretched
mp on a telegraph pole, or re
onded to the call of Winchester,
dtRa5re was not much sympathy
their fate. Should those charg
with the conduct of our affairs of
e permit these Shylocks to fast
pom our already over burdened
payers, this incubus, to destroy
ope of future prosperity there
n be some style of punishment
The crime"
CApruaPr