The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1906-02-21

THE legislative acts under which the
debt was created would have failed
had the Representatives from the
leounties embraced in what IS now
West Virginia opposed their enact
lment and that II was the fixed pol
icy of the people in that portion of8
lthe State toparticipate in the gem
leral plan Of internal improvements.
THE development Of the system was
tincomplete in 1861, though 4 con-.
Isiderable portion Of the improve
Iments before that time had been
completed III the territory now con-
Istituting West Virginie.
On April IL, 1861, the people Of
Virginia in convention adopted am
ordinance BY which it was Intended
Ito withdraw Virginia from the TN
ion Of States. From This action Il
considerable portion Of the people
dissented and organized separate
government known and recognized
IbY the Federal Government 81 the
restored State Of Virginia. On
August 20, 1861, the ssrestored State
lof Virginia, in convention in
Wheeling Va, adopted an ordinance
providing for the formation Of i
lnew State out of the western part 81
Nirginia The ninth section of Tie
ordinance provided that the new
State should take upon itself Il Just
PROPORTION 81 the public debt of Vir4
gina prior 70 January I, 1861. on
December 81, 1862, Congress passed
Ian net providing for the admission
lof the new State upon certain condi-
tipns, aud the State was admitted
June 70, 1868. Pending the admis-
sion Of the State, the General A.
Isemhly of the restored State Of vir-
ginia passed an act in February.
1868, providing that all properly
owned by or appertaining ID the
State within the boundaries Of the
proposed State Of West Nirginia
should become the property OF west
Virginia when it became State.
IT is charged in behalf of yireiri-
ia that the property which was BY :
the operation of this aci appropriat-
ed and transferred from the State
of Virginia to the State of West yir-
ginia consisted of numberof items
valued at several millions Of dollars
and that on the bank stocks alone
which were transferred uader the
operation Of this act, the State of
West Virginia realized about $780,
Eo00 on part Of the property So ro-
leeiyed by West Virginia having
been obtained by Virginia since
April, 1861.
The Constitution Of West virein-
ia provided that an eqnitabie por-
ton of the. public debt Of Virairiil
before January /. 1861, should be
assumed by West Virginia, It's Leg
lislatnre to ascertain the amount and
provide for It's liquidation by sink
ling within 81 years. After
1865 and prior to 1872 attempts
were made by the authorities of both
States to ascertain their contribufiye
proportions of a common liability
lresting upon them for the public
Idebt Of Virginia contracted before
1861, but all these attempts were in
eifectual, and no accounting Of any
kind was ever had between the two
States.
The efforts looking 10 a settle
ment by concurrent action of tle two
States having proved abortisc yir-
lginia, being anxious 10 adjust Tho
matter, made several efforts t. effect
settlement Itis claimed that the
first Of these were made by The Cen
leral Assembly chosen at the close 81
the period Of obstruction and RE-
construction, which, following
CLOSELY ddisastrous war, bad inaici-
led upon Virginia injuries aud losses.
the harmful etfecis 81 which were
then by no means realized. Be
Legislative actin 1871 Virginia mn
dertook to give her obligations.
bearing 6 per cent. interest fcr two
thirds Of the principal and for two
Thirds Of the past due interest. IS
Iwell as two-thirds Of the interest on
that accrued interest, which, % the
extent Of nearly $S,0on.0a, bad ben
funded after the war IL new bonds
lof Virginia. By this measure tie
State assumed a very heavy burden
land other plans for the settlement
were attempted At various iifnes
Il i claimed that Virginia
remedies safe through Che Suf,-
IRENE Court 6f the country and tlier-
fore prays that the Slate of West
Virginia NAV he made Party ~
fendant 10 the bill and required e
answer il, and that al proper ae-
lcounfs may De taken 10 determine