Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1905-08-18
Senator Martins
Services to the State
Debt Commission.

l
1912 and 1894. II be would
discuss this matter with Mr.. William
l.. Royal, Of Richmond. ex-counsel for
the English bondholders. in their effort
10 bankrupt Virginia. and one OF Gov.
Montague's most actire supporters in
this campaign, he could probably learn
the reason Ex-senator Martins strength
with these Legislatures.
The Legislature OF 1889 and 1890
provided for commission to confer
with the representatives OF the English
bondholders, with the view OF bringing
about settlement OF Virginia's debt.
An advisory committee was selected.
OF which ex-president Cleveland was
chairman.
The Virginia Debt Commission con-
sisted OF Gov. p. w. McKenney, Lieut.
enant-GOv. ]. Hoge Tyler, the Speaker
Of the House. r.. NJ Cardwell. Senators
Taylor, Berry and III. T. Wick ham
and delegates w. ID Dabney and r. II.
Tyler. When this commission got
down TO work they ascertained that in
addition TO the regular counsel for the
bondholders, the representatives Of the
English bondholders had retained Col.
w. W. Gordon, then recognized as the
leader OF the Virginia bar, and
number of New York lawyers. 1t was
therefore thought by the Virginia Com
mission that 1t should have an able
legal adviser. BY a unanimous vote
Senator Thomas S. Martin was selected
for this position. He was informed
OF theresolution passed by the commits
sion selecting him as its counsel. and
agreed TO accept this responsible position
on the condition imposed by himself.
that he should receive no fee for his
services and would pay his own expen-
ses. The work of the commission
occupied greater portion OF the year
1881, and carried Mr.. Martin frequent
ly 20 Richmond, Washington and New
York. Members of the commission
have often stated that without his aid
d settlement could never have been ef-
fected, but with his aid it was effected
and was ratified by the Legislature on
the 18th day of February, 1892, and
according TO the understanding, Mr..
Martin did not receive one cent from
the State OF Virginia for his legal ser
vices, or tor his expenses on the
numerous trips which his position nee
es stated
This Is probably the only insta nee Oh
record of lawyer appearing in a S29.-
100000 transaction without receiving a
cent in the way of retainer or "a fee.
The members OF the Legislature OF
1912 We're fully aware OF this
patriotic service Of Mr.. Martin, and
when the then Senator John s. Barbour
died in May, 1892, nearly two-thirds OF
the Legislature endorsed Senator Martin
for the appointment as his successor.
and the next Legislature selected him.
The history OF this matter was fully
given 10y Congressman Ii. ID. Flood in
an interview published in the Wash
ington Post, June 9th, of this year, and
constituted "a sufficient reason why the
Legislature should have been SO par
tial to the gentleman who has made
such "A splendid Senator from Virginia
FOR the past ten years.
Up 10 the time the settlement Of the
State debt was concluded, Mr.. William
l.. Royal got salary of Sl2, 1000
year from the English bondholders.
The splendid service of Senator Martin
10 relieving Virginia Of her debt problem
relieved MI. Royal at the same time O I
this lucrative salary.
This no doubt accounts for the ami
mostly of this gentleman TO Senator
Martin.
On the 18th OF February, 1892, the
day the debt question was finally dis
posed OF, Senator H. Il. Wickham, rep
resenting the Virginia Debt Commits
sion, in a speech on the floor of the
Senate was reported as follows in the
Richond Dispatch of February 20.
1892:
I'm conclusion, Mr.. Wickham refer
ed to the graceful compliment paid to
the Debt Commission by the distin-
guished and scholarly Senator fIom
Mcdonald, on yesterday,
but said that it was right for the peo-
pie TO know that the thanks OF Virginia.
If due TO anybody, were also due to
those patriotic men outside of the Debt
who had aided with their
talents and their time; that it would be
lnvidous to draw distinctions, where so
many-had aided, but that he could not
refrain from acknowledging the debt
due TO those men who now so faithful