The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-25
THE WHOLE yr,-r,y.

THE WHOLE TRUTH.
/ Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
sir,--Sour leading editorial to- day was
In reference to the Virginia. West Vir-
ginia debt issue. Preceding this edi-
/ torinl was a quotation from Ruskin to
the effect that every duty we omit
| obscures some truth we should have
| known Don't you think it is the
duty OF The Times-Dispatch to tell the
! people of Virginia the whole truth
about the suit III which the state OF
Virginia is being used as a cats paw
to enforce individual claims? WHY not
tell the people of this State just how
much money or what percentage or
anyl Will Virginia get from any judy.
ment secured against West Virginia?
Very truly yours,
Norfolk, Va. JOHN EEE,
Tile Times-Dispatch has repeatedly
told "the whole truth about the suit
against West Virginia so far as 1t
knew, and there has been no attempt
to conceal anything. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that the suit had to be brought.
hut there seemed to be no help for ii.
Under the funding act of 1871 certif-
Gates of Indebtedness were issued by
virginia to the creditors for so much
OF the total debt as was asccrtained
and agreed to he due by West Vir-
ginia. But this did not relieve vir-
ginia from the obligation, as was de.
cided by the Court of Appeals. See
Gfeenhow vs.. Vashon. Slst Virginia.
Nor was this State relieved from this
obligation by the settlement of 1892.
Aside from her own interest in the
tho certificate holders to use her Sooi,
offices to bring about a settlement
With West Virginia on this account.
In pursuance of this obligation, the
General Assembly of Virginia created
II commission with authority to receive
on deposit the outstanding West Njr-
sinia certificates, and with the consent
of the Attorney-General of the State
ito take such action and institute such
proceedings on behalf of the State as
may in the Judgment of the said COM
mission and the Attorney be
needful and proper to protect the in
tcrests OF the State and bring about
and effect settlement" Such an agree
ment was entered into between the
Virginia commission and the duly
authorized representatives of the GER
tihcate holders, the exact language OF
it being that Sin the event such set
| tlement is made, then 1t is hereby
agreed that the amount realized thereon
shall be accepted in full satisfaction OF
all claims of the certificate holders
thereunder and the undersigned COM
mittee will surrender to your commits
sion, in exchange for sch amount, the
certificates aforesaid 20 deposited"
Signed by John Crosby Brown, chair
man, and Robert l.. Harrison, secretary
of the committee.
The Virginia commission made re-
peated endeavors TO effect a settlement
with West Virginia out of court, but
the authorities of that state would
never give Virginias overtures serious
consideration.
Finally. our commission learned that
suits were proposed against Virginia
under the statutes of South Dakota.
similar 10 the suit brought by that
State against the State of North Caro-
lima, upon the certificates of 1871,
TO s12,7o0 900, with interest
from July. 1861. Such suit might
nave involved Virginia in serious trou-
bic, and the commission, under advice
OF the Attorney General, decided TO
bring suit against West Virginia in
the Supreme Court of the United
States and force o settlement. The
suit was brought at no expense to
Virginia, and under agreement with
the certificate holders, as already
stated. that they would accept the adj
Indication of that court in full salts
faction of their claims against this
State and discharge her from further
obligation. Vrginia's only contribu-
ton Is the service OF the Attorney
General, who has received no compen-
sntion for his services save his regular
salary. He might have received