The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-01-11
VIRGINIA DEBT QUESTION.

EI.Comtnlssionor JOhn w. ilNon trEes
Non.Aotion by tho West Virginia Iegis.
Inturn-soms Strong Reasons For It
TO ne Editor Of he Indulgence.
SIR:-I think thcro is no danger oil
tho present legislature doing anything
in relation to the Virginia state debt,
yet l feel that tho question Is Of such
vital Importance to the welfare and
good namo Of Wost Virginia that the
people OF tho state cannot exprcya their
views too often or too forciDly. No
hayo kept tho record unblemishod so
far and mistake now would DO re-
grottod by all.
1t Is very strange indeed that tho Vir-
ginia legislature should pass rosolu-
lion asking West Virginia to appoint Il
committee looking 10 settlement In
which West Virginia must agree in ad-
vance 10 pay at least one-third OF tho
debt OF Virginia In 1851. Every we'll
informed man in West Virginia knows
this would not DO just and must know
that no West Virginian would think for
moment Of entertaining any such
proposition. There must be 'somo
power behind tho throne" suggesting
such proportions.
Virginia would hardly have passed. q
resolution so insulting TO West Virginia
II there had not been money making
scheme prompting it. Having declared
that she will never recognize any TO
sponsibility for the certificates, Vir.
GINA could have no legitimate motive,
and less moral obligation, to subserve
by volunteering to collect money which,
II due at all. is not due to her, but to
tho creditors OF the original state.
1t is public knowledge that tho cor.
titicates frequently sold at two cents on
the dollar; that for several years past
certain Wall street parties have been
trying TO force the certificate holders
into pool. and that tho certificates
have been bought up at q small cost, by
fow wealthy speculators. 1t is
an open secret that the resolu-
ton appointing commissioners, as orig.
inally ohered in the Virginia senate,
came from Wall street promoters, and
It's unusual provisions, providing for a
blind pool, and making the pay Of the
commissioners dependent on tho sue
cess OF the scheme,) seem conclusive
that the name Of West Virginia is a
mere sham, or cloak TO carry out deal
between Wall street and Richmond.
Under such circumstances only one
course consists with the self.respect and
dignity oil tho state, viz: a resolution
declining TO negotiate with commission
ers acting under such q resolution rs
Virginia passed. There should be no
discussion or explanation; We should
simply refuse to meet the commission
and that must forever end the matter so
lar rs annoyance from Virginia is con-
cerned. 1t will be remembered that
this state once sent 4 commission to
Virginia, who refused to receive them.
Our commission was not appointed at
tho behest OF any syndicate or specu-
lators. Then there d ould be a separate
resolution, declaring that no legislative
action will be tolerated by the people OF
this state until specific and definite
proposition. agreed to by all the persons
entitled to receive the money. has been
published before tho election OF tho leg
stature which will act on it. Nothing
OF good can result to the state from dis.
cussiou before creditors offer such
proposition as will be endorsed BY m
enlightened public opinion. Tho out
side world will fully understand that
our good name cannot be smirched bv
the Vaccinations OF few SPECTATORS
who have bought certificates at few
cents on the dollar.
The more any ono looks into this sub
Iect the more he will be convinced that
non.action is, under existing condi-
tons, the only safe course.
JomN W. Mason.
Fairmon, W. Ia, January 10, 1895.