Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-01-29


ginia legislature which no one would dare
suggest before an election. Tho scheme is
based on belief that no man in onr Iegisla-
ture win develop the capacity aud courage TO
prove that, under q thin Yeueering of intense
ohicial dignity, there is a scandal equal to the
Credit Mobilier. It is based on tile idea that
our legislature and our public men can be
bribed TO betray the trusts for which the peo-
pie pay them salaries. It is based on the idea
that sufficient influence can be used to induce
members of the legislature to vote for prop
osition which no candidate would have agreed
to before his election. It is based upon the
theory that the Press of the State viii not
publish the facts so the public may understand
what is on foot.
Ali the high-toned men of both States stand
aloof from the scheme now pressed at Charles
| ton. They stand aloof because it is unadulter-
ated sham and deception. 1t is not au honest,
frank, straightforward effort TO preserve the
good name of our State. 1t is simply stock
| jobbing scheme. The object is to obtain action
which commits West Virginia before the sub
| ject is discussed. In 1889, the House unani-
mously resolved:
No proposition touching tho debt should be
| entertained or discussed by the West Virginia
|
/ [Sec House Journal, January %. 1889.
This resolution was offered at my request.
1t voiced the public Judgment then, and it ex-
presses the public Judgment now. There was
no hint of the SCENE on foot at Charleston I'M
til after the Legislature met. The object was
to prevent discussion until members were sep
arated from their neighbors. The Virginia
Commission did not meet until alter our cleo
ton. The speal-easy method was adopted
1t will be presently seen that any action, or
any commitment, at this time, is unwise and
dangerous. Any action now means long
debt agitation, which can be aud should be
avoided. Owing to the Vaccinations of Wall
Street brokers, who procured the Virginia
Commission, this subject is not in condition
to be acted on. AS was well said by tho Hon.
John Mason, of Fairmont, mon action is wise
action. The good name of State cannot be
smirched by few Wall Street spectators"
The question now presented ia, not whether
West Virginia shall act when the proper time
comes; not what she should do if the subject
came up SO she could act knowingly and safe
ly the question is whether the legislature
shall get mixed mp with q stock jobbing oper-
alton.
The lobby at Charleston are prating about
State honor, aud repeating The platitude that
''the Legislature should take PROPER action"
The scheme is, to work up sentiment in favor
of some vague PROPER action, and then rush
the Legislature into some improper action.
The sccmeis, to offer some plausible and sugar
coated proposition which will trap members
who are too busy to ferret ont what is really
intended The lobby is for anything that will
bring on discussion, and make some COM
mitments which will be effective further on.
Newspapers state that, THE parties repre-
scnting the creditors offer to compromise the
$40, 600, 900 for only $4,000, eco in bonds, and
it will be great thing to accept this PROPOSE
tion." But will the Legislature entertain a
proposition based on the idea that any body
has any claim for $40 100000? If this propo-
sition should be entertained, we could never
convince the outside world that we did not
recognize some foundation for this claim for
40 millions. Nothing should be done until
everybody unders lands that there is not the
slightest ground for such claim. 1t is simple
nonsencc.
Does the lobby represent the State of yir-
ginia, or does it represc Mt the Certificate hold
ers? Does the lobby receive instructions from
the Commissioners, from the Wall Street
Syndicate? Do the Commissioners represent
the Certificate holders, or do they represent
only the State of Virginia?
If they represent holders. then Virginia has
no interest and should not be consulted. But,
the Commissioners produce no authority to
bind any body to any thing. They say that
| they have secret, confidential, private AssUR-
ANcEs from majority, but who speaks for
the minority, which may amount to Certifi-
Gates calling for nine millions of principal and
nine millions of Interest? Is the Lcgis lature
prepared to make any commitments to hold
crs who are under delusion that they have a
just claim for 40 million? The Wall street
syndicate is doubtless willing to accept pretty
much anything offered, but the World will
think that West Virginia swindled her cred
itors by paying only two million for 40 O0O, 600.
Suppose the Commissioners claim to repre-
sent their State, and deny that they are act
ing for a syndicate. Who is prepared to COM
nit West Virginia to paying money to vir-
ginia which is due. not TO her, but to the
creditors of the original State of Virginia.
| The United States own some of the bonds of
the original State of Virginia. Shall VIC pay to
Virginia money VIC owe to the United States !?
Congress refuses to pay over our Special Tax
unless we pay these bonds. It's true Congress
will waive this point, and our Special Tax
| will be paid over as soon Us a vote is reached,
but arc we safe to pay Virginia what we owe
to tho United States? Does Virginia pro-
pose to satisfy the United States out of this
offer to compromise for two million?
The more it is looked into, the palmer it
becomes that this matter is not in q shape for
any discussion or commitments by West
Virginia .Nou-action is wire action
The Richmond Legislature, under the
guidance of Wall street brokers, has
Numbered, and produced eitua-
ton which forbids action by West Virginia.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. It
is safer to wait until Virginia and the credi-
tors abandon the foolish scheme now on foot.
which is boycottcd by the high toned men of
both States. Let Virginia repeal her resoiu-
ton. Let the Certificate holders abandon the
delusios that West Virginia owes forty mil
lion. Non-action leaves West Virginia in an
unembarrassed position. Her record up to
this point is straight. j. NJ MASON.
Jan 25, 1895. Charles Town, W. Va.
s