The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-19
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 10. 1907.
When our reason in human beings
IL disturbed or destroyed, our view
heavenwnrd becomes more acute
aud pcrfcct.-Scott.
THE wEsT VIRGINIA. DEBT.

~ THE WEST VIRGINIA DEBT.
The Dispatch has character
ized as bubble the contention of
only for SO much of the ante-bellum
debt OF the State OF Virginia as was
incurred for her direct benefit. We
are surprised that the Lynchburg
News should express a contrary view
and uphold West Virginia In her con-
sention. at. as West Virginia ayers"
says the News, "only one-tenth OF the
money realized from the ante-bellum
debt OF the State was expended to her
advantage, ought she to be compelled
to pay more than that amount?.'
Z, Let us answer this question by
asking another. Suppose NONE Of the
money realized from the sale OF the
bonds had been expended in the ter
ritory now composing West Virginia.
would the News hold that West Vir-
ginia, was responsible for NONE OF
the debt? or suppose all the money
had been expended for her direct and
exclusive benefit, would she be re-
sponsible for the whole debt?
The public debt was created by
the State as whole and was an OBJ
ligation upon all territory of the state.
The members of the Legislature from
the West Virginia end of the State as
1t then existed We're practically unan-
imous in voting for the bond issue
because the public works contemplated
were to be for the benefit of their
territory. whereas, many members from
the eastern part of the State voted
against 1t. But even If the vote had
been reversed. the status of the debt
would not have been changed. AS
soon as the debt was created it became
the obligation of all the counties in
the State. and each had to bear its
part OF the burden. whether or not
! n dollar Of the money thus derived was
expended within Its territory.
AT the time that the debt was
created the ,aeea of the territory now
known as.iWest- Virginia formed about
one third of the Commonwealth OF
virginia, and its population included
about one-thrd OF the entire popula-
ton OF the original State. Citizens OF
that section Of the State held a con-
ycntion on August 90 1861, at Wheel
inE and adopted an ordinance to pro-
vide for the formation Of new State
.and on December 81. 1862. Congress
I passed a bill providing that the new
State thus formed should upon Ger.
tain conditions be admitted into thu
.sunlon. One of these conditions, as SCI
forth in the Constitution. was tina
IAN equitable proportion OF the pub
lie debt OF the Commonwealth of Vir
ginia. prior to the first day of January
1851, shall be assumed by this State
that's, the State of West Virginia.
What then was West Virginia.
fequitable portion OF the public deb
Ewhen she seeded? The same as !
would have been had she rename,
part of the territory of Virginia
And what was Just basis of reckon
ing? Her taxable values. West Vir
gtnias portion of the debt bore tn
same proportion to the whole deb
4 that her taxable values bore to TIL
4 taxable values of Virginia before di
!. vision.
That was the basis OF adjustmen
adopted when Richmond recently an
Yico county. and it was agreed on bot
sides. and confirmed by the court tina
It was the only equitable basis. Rici,
mond assumed such portion of III
debt OF the county as the taxable val
sues of the territory annexed bore I
the taxable values OF the entire coun
]. ny.
Y. But this latest proposal of Wes
Virginia is an afterthought. Her pee
J. pie were more libera when they 81
seeded. 1t was provided in the Vince
inH ordinance above referred to thu
sthe new state shall take upon itse
- Just proportion OF the public del
s6f the commemorative OF Virginia prie
70 the first day Of January. 1861,
be ascertained by charging ALL II
;saetate expenditures within tho limi
.thereof. and a. Just proportion OF Il
iordinary expenses tof State govern
ment since any part Of said debt WI
contracted. and deductinR therefro
Il the money. paid Into the treasury
/, The ceumoAwes1th from the counti'