Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1905-01-06

1t has been the custom OF our state
legislature at each session for years TO
pass some sort of a resolution repudi-
ating the idea OF West Virginia owing
any part of the eli Virginia ante
belum debt, but indications point to
the probability OF more serious action
at the session to begin next week.
1t is said that there will be lobby
from New York to represent and look
out for the interest of the SIS, 900, 900
OF the so called West Virginia certifi
Gates which have been drawing in
terest since 1860, which amounts to
near $50, ooo, 900 This has been
matter OF great annoyance to the leg
islature year after year an4 each
would simply dispose Of the question
By simple resolution as above stated
but the matter will not down. 1t con-
tinues to poke upits ugly head.
Though there has been much said
upon this subject at various tine
there are many people whose memol-
les do not carry them back far enough
to know the particulars. The state Of
Virginia, prior to the war between
the states issued bonds which were
sold and the proceeds spent on public
improvements throughout the state
I'd a considerable amount was spent
IN the territory which now comprises
the State OF West Virginia. When the
new state applied for admission to the
union ia 1868, Congress refused her
admission until she acknowledged
her obligation to pay just and equit-
able share of the old debt and the new
state accordingly wrote i'll her Const-
tuition a provision declaring, in effect,
that West Virginia would assume a
Just aud equitable share Of the Virginia
debt, made prior to 1861 and that
said amount should be fixed by charg-
ing West Virginia with what she had
gotten from and credited with what
she had paid into the Virginia state
treasury. A few years after the war
West Virginia true to her constitu-
tional declaration sent commission
| to Richmond to negotiate a settle
ment upon this basis and after care
full examination of the books aud &C
counts the commission reported
that an equitable settlement would
place about 5000, 900 of the debt upon
West Virginia. This report was de-
clared by some, especially Virginians,
to be too low and some Wes'.V rginians
have always thought it to high. So
the matter has dritted all these years
and no settlement whatever has been
agreed upon between the two states.
Some years after the war the old state
was forced to tax up the matter of
her debt aud the great Readjuster-
Funder movement ensued.
Her public men finally decided
among themselves that as West Viz
ginia comprised about one-third OF
the territory that she should assume
one third OF the debt which would
then amount to $4,000, 900. She pro
ceeded to set apart a third OF the debt
for West Virginia's to pay and open
ed negotiations with the bond holders
tor the payment of her two thirds,
which in the negotiation was finally
scaled down to $50, 600, coo, tor W lch
amount she issued new bonds. BY
this action OF course West Virginia
cannot be generally bound as she WIS
not a party TO the settlement
out that she owes some portion OF the
debt is conceded by many who are
jealous for the integrity OF the state
and many lawyers claim that if the
matter reaches the courts it will be so
held, and the action OF West Virginia
during the past twenty years is re-
garded by many high minded men as
an act of reputation and against
the integrity Of the state.
The West Virginia certificates are
said to be held by spectators who
have paid but little or nothing for
them but that has nothing to do with
the state S legal and equitable obi
cations to pay her share of the debt,
and indications point to the tact thai
the matter will soon have to be met
!