The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1907-01-09
The Yirginfs Debt Question
bYg. ~. Mason, of
Charles Town.
Series of letters written for the
Wheeling Register
LETTER No 9
LETTER NO 2


LETTER NO 2
Sir:-It should always be kept
in mind that tue Virginia debt
commission scheme is based on an
expectation that no member of our
legislature or public official will be
sufficiently informed to take .care
of the state.
Virginia's bill asserts that suit
was not brought till effort for
amicable negotiation has been ex-
hausted." Now, the truth is that
the first action taken by Virginia
about her debt, after West Virginia
became a state. was to set up the
theory that West Virginia should
assume one third. Virginia's
theory originated and crea-
ted the sentiment in this
state sgainst debt action There
was never a day, prior to 1871,
when West Virginia would not
have accepted conference to state
the account required by the ordi-
nance. But. never till 1894, Wheu
a Wall street syndicate offered to
divide profit sitn oeIt ,in member
of the Virginia Legislature. would
Virginia move about a settlement
She repeatedly refused to do 80.
There were only two methods
whereby West Virginia could
settle. One to agree with Virginia
about the amount due under the
ordinance, but Virginia decided to
set aside one-thi1d for West Viz
ginia to pay. The other method
was for West Virginia. dealing di-
rect with the certificate holders, to
agree with them on the amount
which they would accept for the
fifteen millions of certificates. Of
COURSE, if West Virginia took up
the certificates, nobody could have
any demand on her. But the syn
dictate, represented by the First
National Bank of New York, OBJ.
sIructed this second method and
holders could not be got together
till 1899 when the Whitaker memo
rial was presented, and, owing to
opposition by the bank, that memo
rial was delayed till too late to OBJ
tain a hearing for it's merits. Be
it remembered that holders accept
cd the proposition in the Whitaker
memorial, and then the Virginia
commission INTERVIEWED to embark
this debt suit scheme.
1t is not true Virginia exhausted
negotiations. If the record be
compiled, Virginia will be placed
in most unenviable attitude. Her
bill reeks with inoincerity and mis-
leading statement. 1t Is true that
before 1894 West Virginia refused
to deal with Wall street promoter
who falsely protested to control
the certificates, and it ia also true
that after 1894 she refused to deal
with the commission. She ought
to have refused, because it is alb
horrent that Virginia attorneys
should meddle with our debt when
they are. representing and paid by q
New York committee.
The Virginia oommisti IN para
des before the court that in 1905
our legislature refused to open
negotiations with it. We ought to
have refused because the contract,
under whIoh the certificates were
deposited, had expired in 1902, and
the commission could not bind
anybody to anything Be it rem
bered that every thinking man has
always insisted that this matter
should not be opened unless holders
were committed.
When a fee of $4,000 is to be
divided, and Wall street is fur
nishiug money, it lie difficult to OBJ
tain hearing for truth, and es-
pecially is it d Bcult when many
politicians. having schemes to float
on Wall street, stand silent, but, il
the Legislature appoints a compe.
tent commission to manage this
matter, the truth will be heard, and
then Virginia must either abolish
her @ >mnission and dismiss suit
or else be placed before the country
in light to bring the blush Of
shame to every man il
that state protesting to live outside
of graft And this blush of shame
will be greater because these attor