The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1906-02-23

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the legislative acts under which the
debt was created would have failed
had the representatives from the
counties embraced in wias is now
West Virginia opposed their enact
ment, and that it was the fixed poll +
icy Of the people in that. portion of
the State to participate In the gem
eral plan of Internal improvements.
The development of the system was
Incomplete in 1861, though COM
siderable portion of the improve
ments before that time had been
completed in the territory now con-
shutting West Virginia.
On April III, 1864. the people of
Virginia in convention adopted an
ordinance by whiGhgit was intended
to withdraw Virginia rom-the Un-
ion of States. From this action q
considerable portion of the people
dissented and organized q separate
government, known and recognized
by the Federal Government as the
restored State Of Virginia" On
August 20, 1861, the restored State
of Virginia" in convention in
Wheeling, Va, adopted an ordinance
providing for the formation of
new State out Of the western part Of
Virginia. The ninth section Of the
ordinance provided that the new
State should take upon itself a just
proportion of the public debt of Vir-
|gipia prior to january 1, 1861. On
December 81, 1862, Congress passed
an act providing for the admission
ofthe new State upon certain condi-
tons, and the State was admitted
June 20, 1868 Pending the admis-
!sioA Of the State, the General AS
|se1dhly Of the restored State Of Vir-
GINA" passed an act in February,
1868, providing that all property
owned BY or appertaining to the
State within the boundaries Of the
proposed State of West Virginia
should become the property Of West
Virginia when it became q State.
1t is charged in behalf of Virgin
ia that the property which was by
the operation Of this act appropriate
ed and transferred from the State
of Virginia to the State of West Vir-
|ginia consisted Of number Of items
valued at several millions Of dollars
and that on the bank stocks alone
which were transferred under the
operation Of this act, the Slate Of
West Virginia realized about $780,
900 on part Of the property so re-
ceivcd by West Virginia, having
been obtained by Virginia since
April, 1861. Z
The Constitution of West Virgin
ia provided that an equitable por-
ton of the public debt of Virginia
before january /, 1861, should be
assumed by West Virginia, its Leg
stature to ascertain the amount and
provide for its liquidation by a sink
ing fund within "a years. After
1865 and prior to 1872 attempts
were made by the authorities Of both
States to ascertain their contributive
proportions Of common, liability
resting upon them for the public
debt of Virginia contracted before
1861. but all these attempts we're IN
ef:ectual, andno accounting of any
kind was ever had between the two
States.
The efforts looking to q settle
ment by concurrent action Of The two
States having proved abortige ViF-
ginia, being anxious to adjust the
matter, made several efforts to effect
a settlement. 1t is claimed that the
first of these were made by the Gem
eral Assembly chosen at the close of
the period Of "destructions and re-
construction" which, following
closely a disastrous war, had infict-
ed upon Virginia injuries and losses,
the harmful effects Of which were
then by no means realized. BY
act in 1871 Virginia un-
dertook to give her obligations,
bearing 6 per cent. interest, for two
thirds Of the principal and for two
thirds of the past due interest, az
well as two-thirds of the interest on
that accrued interest. which, to the
extent of nearly SIS, 100000, had been
funded after the war in new bonds
Of Virginia. BY this measure the
State assumed a very heavy burden
and other plans for the settlement
we're attempted at various times.
Tt is claimed that Virginia IS
remedies, save through the Sup
RENE Court Of the country and there
fore prays that the State Of West
Virginia may be made a party DE-
PENDANT to the bill and required 70
answer it, and that all proper ac-
counts may be taken to determine
and ascertain the balance due from
West Virginia to Virginia 10 her
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