Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-08

ever, Is alarm discerning WEST viz
ginians who were on the ground and
who saw III the various connections
OF that lobby daring, INSCRIPTIONS
but influential combination, the great
majority of whom have no interest IN
this State except SO far as it serves
to crafty their political ambitions,
and who are probably willing to sacri-
flee it's welfare for the immense sums
the West Virginia bondholders can at
ford to pay them for their services In
assisting in "saddling" this debt on the
people of West Virginia, especially
when their political plans are finally
consumated or their political downfall
accomplished.
There has been no abatement Of the
alarm in the minds of Democrats, and
there should be none while the leader
ship of tn Republican party Of the State
is in the hands of political adventurers
who have elbowed out of their way al
most every Republican leader Of char
acter who formerly enjoyed any stand
ing or influence in his party.
So much for the action of the Repub-
lican leaders in the session Of 1897.
How was it at the session of 1899,
when. as the Intelligeneer says syndi-
cate attempted to seduce legislators.
The history Of that attempted seduction
and who were seduced may not prove
uninteresting reading:
Voicing the apprehension of the
Democratic party that there is grave
danger Of the present Republican lead
ership attempting to definitely ascer-
tain what West Virginia owes the
mother State" and for the large consid-
GRAFTON the bondholders will pay them,
further attempting to argue Republic
can legislators into the belief that Job
legation must be met in spirit Of
fairness and honesty" by paying the
syndicate their demands upon the
treasury of the State, Delegate Taylor,
of Cabell county, a Democratic men,
Der of the House, on January 18th, Of
fered the following joint resolution:
House Joint Resolution No. 6, Relat-
ing to the Virginia Debt question:
Resolved by the Legislature of West
Virginia:
That this Legislature declines and
refuses to take any action in regard to
what is known the Virginia debt or
Virginia deferred certificates either by
considering any proposition Of adjust
ment or settlement so-called Or by
authorizing the appointment of any
committee or committees having for
their purpose or consideration of the
same. And that it is the sense of this
legislature that the State Of West Vir-
ginia is in no way obligated for the
payment of any portion of the said debt
or certificates.
On the passage of this resolution the
ayes were g.; noes, none; absent by
reason of sickness of self or members
of family, three.
On January 81 the joint resolution
was taken up by the Senate for pass
age. There were sixteen votes cast for
it, and none against. OF these sixteen,
nine were Republicans and seven Dem
ocrats Ten members were absent from
the Senate, eight of whom were Re-
publicans and two were Democrats.
Contrast this record of the Republi-
can Senate with the Democratic House
on this subject. Of the three absentees
from the House on the passage Of the
resolution, Asbury was at home sick,
and Maj. Bennett was at the bedside
of dying brother in Roanoke. Where
the eight Republican Senator's were
when the vote was taken does clearly
appear by the records.
This is supposed to be the end of the
Virginia debt question for this session,
but on February 23d, two days before
the expiration Of the session, and at
time when in the hustle and confu-
sion of the closing days frequently
hasty action is sought to be had on
matters which would not bear the
more careful scrutiny they would re-
ceive earlier agents of the Virginia
bondholders appeared upon the scene,
and attempted to do by indirection
what the Legislature had formally de-
clEred by unanimous vote CT both
Houses, it would not do, namely,
spread a memorial On the journals Of
both Houses. and secure the appoint
ment of joint committee, which the
syndicate doubtless fondly hoped would
definitely ascertain that West Virginia
owed the mother State" at least six
millions CT dollars, and recommending
that the obligation thus ascertained
should be met in a spirit of fairness
and honesty"