Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-01-10

prOvideS tnat the otdtS Snaii uSNSi w
made defendant either at law or in
equity"
The next mode of adjustment is that
by direct act of the Legislature. To this
mode there are at least two serious OBJ
iections, namely, the influence OF mere
political considerations and the danger
of corruption. Should the whole adjust
ment be left to the Legislature, there IS
danger that the party in control OF that
body would seek first OF all partizan al.
vantage aud in weighing various bases
of settlement that might be proposed
would give undue weight to their imme-
diate political effect. It IS obviously
unfair that an obligation which rests
upon the whole population of the State
should be so manipulated as to beneht
any political party at the expense OF an
other.
The danger of corruption IS yet great
er. Without the least disposition TO cast
any imputation OF the honor aud integri-
tv of our Legislature or of any members
thereof, we all know that modern legis-
lators are not proof against cousidera-
tious Of personal interest or local advau-
tage and the best way TO avoid the et-
fects of these is TO avoid occasions that
would afford opportunity for their opera
ton. This consideration, above all
others. should warn Us against any ne
potiations with the syndicate which owns
or controls the certificates issued 10y Nir-
ginia under her Funding Act. II IS COM
mon knowledge that tins syndicate has
purchased these certificates TO a large
amount at mere nominal price. Al
most all that they realize from any set
tlement with the State will be clear
gain. They are in position, therefore,
where they eau well afford to use large
sums of money i'll order To further
favorable settlement; aud experience
has taught us that, however II may be
with individuals, moral restraints are
weak when opposed to the peeuniary
interest of syndicates. II by corrupt
means the amount OF the debt were
placed too high, the material loss to the
people of the State would be insigniL-
cant as compared with the evils that
would flow from thus debauching It's law
makers.
There remains yet another mode OF
adjustment, namely, the appointmentot
a commission by authority OF the Legis'
lature, TO treat with duly authorized rep
resentatiyes OF Virginia. This method
would have at least two advantages over
a settlement by the Legislature itself
the commission could be made non.parti-
san and be composed Of men distin.
guished alike for their integrity and in
telligence, so that all political considera-
tons would be removed as far as posi-
bic and, being a small body, personal
responsibility for its decision could be
readily fixed, and there would thus DC
little opportunity for the use of undue
influence. Virginia has already APP
| pointed such commission; but under
no circumstances should West Virginia
consent to enter into negotiations with
It, In the first place II is only authorized
TO confer on the basis Of West Virginia's
liability for one-third OF tie deot-a
proposition which is not only false, but
which, as have cndcayorcd 10 show, Is
absurd on the face Of il. In the sccond
place it has been charged that this COM
mission was appointed at the instance OF
the syndicate above mentioned. This
charge has been widely circulated and
generally believed and whether Il be
true or not, the commission has been So
discredited at the outset that no decision
in which it had haud could command
that public confidence without which no
decision could be adequately enforced.
SHOULD THE ADJUSTMENT BE USDERTAK-
ES Sowl
Though it is eminenily desirable that
this whole debt question should be per
manently settled as soon as possible, Il
by no means follows that the time Is now
ripe for Legislative action. II has been
well said that wise aud just laws are
simply public opinion embodied IN
legally enforceable command; and II Is
well known that no law can be efficient
ly enforced unless II has the support OF
public opinion. This is eminently true
IN connection with our present subject,
especially when il is considered that
there is no power-Statc or Federal
that can coerce West Virginia into a
settlement Of this matter. or compel II 10
abide by the adjustment when made.
Now il isyery doubtful whether the State
Of public opinion is such that we could
anticipate a wise aud efcciual settlement
of this liability at present. Those to
whom the people would naturally look
for guidance in this matter. have hither-
to eyinced an apparent Discrimination TO
consider II, or at least TO discuss Il seri-
ously. Aud it has been pressed mainly
by interested parties whose motives aud
methods were alike calculated 20 arouse
distrust II this DC true, no step should
be taken until the whole subject, and
the principles upon which il depends,
have had full and intelligent discussion
before the people of the state. And
then 10 put the matter beyond question.
the people shouId be called on toexpfess
their opinion at the poIls--eithcr BY way
of an express command 20 carry out
settlement on certain basis, or by way
Of confirmation Of such settlement
formulated and submitted to them for
their approval.
| IT.. 6,.-eeso.uO a a mere outline Of the