Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-03-16
LITTLE IS KNOWN
ABOUT THE SUIT.
VIRGINIA'S CLAIM
AGAINST THIS STATE
SUPREME COURTS DECISION is
LOOKED FOR IN THE NEXT
FEW DAYS.

Charleston. March 16.-It is really
surprising how little most West Vir-
ginians know OF the famed Virginia
debt question which this week is re-
ceiving the attention OF the supreme
court of the United States. Eyes of
the entire country are directed to-
ward Washington now because of the
controversy which will be decided.
it is hoped, within the next few
weeks.
The claim held by the mother
state against West Virginia is be
tween $22.OO0.OOO and $4,000, 900.
including the interest Exhibits. i'm the
way OF documents, have been made
by the score. Last October West Vir-
ginia's counsel filed a demurrer
against the bill of the plaintiff state.
and the hearing was set for March
II by the supreme court
1t is maintained by the lawyers
representing this state that the law
OF the case in it's entirety is on the
side OF West Virginia. and the court
is asked to decide. 1t is expected
that The hearing will occasion the
ultimate dismissal of the claim
against the state, inasmuch as the
demurrer filed raises only plain prop
ositions OF law. IF it is overruled.
however, the counsel for this state
Will be given ample time i'm which
to prepare and present an answer
which will contain all the grounds
for defense.
HOW THE DEBT STARTED.
IL was during the year 1928 that
the state of Virginia entered upon a
system of internal improvements.
To support the outlay It was found
necessary to issue bonds on the cred
1t or the state from time to tine un-
til 1861. Then the civil war deveI-
oped and interrupted the scheme OF
improvement.
At that time the majority of resi-
dents west OF the mountains were i'm
opposition to secession, and the di-
brought about the subsequent diyis.
ion OF the state, the portion now
known as West Virginia having
been cut off from the mother state.
The constitution Of the new state
provided for the assumption OF a
just proportion of the Virginia state
debt, although the bonds issued by
tn old state provided for improve
ments almost entirely within what
comprises the present limits of The
old state.
Later the restored government of
the old state adopted an ordinance
in August 1861, providing basis for
the determination OF tho just proper
tlon Of the debt this STATE .Lould as
sumo. The constitution Of the now
state, formulated and adopted in
1862, did not incorporate this same
basis. referred the matter 20 the
legislature OF West Virginia
FIFTY CENTS on THE DOLLAR.
In u the old state entered upon
the wol x Of adjusting her indebted
ness through the general assembly.
Later Virginia settled with tho hold
ers OF her bonds 10. so cents ON the
dollar. the creditors releasing her
from furthe, obligation. Being thus
released. the old state issued to those
holding the bonds new bonds and
new certificates. without recourse on
the old state for what the old state
claimed the new state owed her. The
creditors Of the old state then sur
rendered the old bonds, and wiped
out the claim on the old state
Nominally, the suit brought makes
the old state the plainun. but in
fact the plaintiffs arc the holders OF
the old bonds. They want this state
to pay the certificates OF indebted
ness issued against this state by Vir-
Rinia
IOHN ~ TATD TIT