Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-02-02
TO ACT OR NOT TO ACT.
What Should be Done About the Vir.
ginia Debt.


What Should be Done About the Vir
ginia Debt.
One of the most intricate and per
picking problems with which thu
present Legislature has to deal is thu
so-called West Virginia debt 1t is thu
one blot upon the fair escutcheon o
the State. Outside parties who know
nothing of the facts believe West Viz
GINA is striving to avoid the payment
of her honest debts. 1t is known that
this State was once part OF Virginia
and it is also well known that Virgin
la was and is the possessor of a
debt of huge proportions. The logi
cal conclusion, therefore, is that as
West Virginia possesses about one
third of the territory of the old State.
she should pay one-third of the debt
owed by the State at the time o.
the separation Acting on that theo-
~, when the debt of the old State was
eadjusted, one-t third was set apart as
the share Of West Virginia. 1t wa:
an ex parte transaction, not binding
this State in the least, but serving a:
an Old Man of the Sea to fetard hel
prosperity.
When the State of West Virginia
was organized, one of the conditions
by which it became State was tn;
we should pay our just and equitable
share of the debt of the mother State
President Lincoln refusing to sign thl
bill until such provision was insert
ed. Immediately upon the organiza
ton of the State the Legislature, ther
largely Republican, made an earnes
effort to effect a settlement, but oui
every effort was repealed by Virginia
Commissioners were appointed ano
sent to Richmond but they were treat
ed with contempt.
The State passed into the contro
of the Democrats and for the pas
IS years nothing has been done A
mastery inactivity has been maintain
ed. Every Democratic governor dis
cussed the measure in every biennial
message sent to the Legislature, but
nothing in the way of ef1ecting set
Element was attempted in all these
years.
AS soon as it was known that there
would be Republican majority in the
present Legislature, Virginia and the
holders Of the so-called West Virginia
certificates began to bestir themselves.
A vigorous effort was put forth and
the cry went up that settlement
must be made at once. No basis OF
settlement was presented, but it was
published broadcast that if the Leg
islature failed to act the charge of re-
pudiation would be laid upon the State,
A Democratic member of the house
presented a resolution which meant
that the State would do nothing 1t
passed the House by an almost unani-
nous vote and was sent to the Senate
There it was properly referred to a
committee and time was taken to con-
slider it in all of its bearings.
The question naturally arises, What
should be done? Republicans cannot
afford to do as Democrats have done.
The prosperity and good name of the
State are at issue and inaction may lie
construed to mean reputation. TIC
our mind there is but one safe course
to pursue: Say to Virginia, In the
years gone by we tried to effect a set
Element. You refused to do anything
A quarter of century has elapsed and
but few, if any, members of the I.egis
lature have investigated the matter
We propose to do what is right bui
must take time aquaint ourselves with
the facts of the case. At the next SEES
sion of the Legislature, or earlier, pre-
sent proposition or basis of settle
ment, give our people an opportunity
toinform themselves upon the subject
and if there is a Republican majority
in the Legislature, we will endeavoi
to arrive at a conclusion.
Such a course is fair and honest
We must have time to breathe before
trying to settle a question of such
magnitude, To attempt to adjust the
matter at the present session of the
Legislature would be political suicide
Every citizen of the State wants to dc
what is right in the premises, but they
are going to be sure they are right be
fore acting.
j