Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-13
VIEWS OF HON. R. P. CHEW.

To the Editor of the Register.
Sir:-The misrepresentation during the
last campaign of the Register and other
papers, respecting my attitude on the debt
matter, passed unnoticed because doubt
full whether the creditors could be edu-
Gated to the truth regarding this subject
in time to present to the present Legis-
lature such plan of settlement as l am
willing to advocate. The difficulty is that
Virginia issued certificates for $15 G00, COO,
and holders, having been misled to believe
that they had just claim for this large
amount, would not cooperate for the plan
of settlement proposed by myself and as
sociates. But, within the last few days
we have assurances that a majority have
come to our views, and I therefore send
you the memorial and plan of settlement
which our committee hope to be able to
present to the Legislature and to the con-
sideration of the people of West Virginia.
You see that it is in substance, the Bal
timore plan of 1864, which the West Vir-
ginia press endorsed, but which we aban-
doned because holders failed to deposit,
being persuaded to expect much larger
amount than our proposition offered. In
my judgment, if majority of holders
come together for this compromise, it
ought to have the support of every West
Virginian who appreciates the disadvan-
tage of having a debt, for an unknown
amount hanging over the State. 1 sup
pose that nobody who values his perso nal
standing for honesty will propose to re-
pudiate a just Indebtedness and no one
with whom L am associated would be a
party to any proposal that West Virginia
should pay anything she does not equit-
ably owe. or for which the Supreme Court
of the United States would not render
Judgment. Persons who have not consid-
cred this subject will be surprised by
many of the statements in the memorial,
but, am confident they Will be found to
be true, and, being true, believe those
who persuade the creditors to assemble
their holdings under contract to abide
a fair and moderate settlement Of this
veXed question will render a valuable
public service to the State. The memorial
will remove the misapprehensions which
exist and, l, for one am glad that a
situation is now presented where an ad-
justment cannot be delayed or longer de-
ferred. .--
So, far as l am concerned, l offer no
apology for my part in urging this matter.
have always been frank enough to say
the only honorable thing to do is to as
certain, in an intelligent way, the amount
due by West Virginia, and adjust it on an
equitable basis. Every business man
well knows that this mater must be set
tied sooner or later, and it will not do
to say that we owe nothing when the
West Virginia commission of 1871 has
itemized the amount represented by roads
built with Virginia bonds
This is not a speculative movement.
This matter at the solicitation of a large
number of holders of Virginia deferred
certificates, is in the hands of a commit
tee, the New York members of which are
largely interested in the development of
West Virginia, and its chairman is Mr..
John Crosby Brown. the head of the
house of Brown Brothers, a firm whose
name stands for integrity and fair deal
ing in this country and the world over.
/ enclose a copy of the memorial and
plan which is now being printed.
Yours truly,
r. P CHEW.