The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1907-01-09
greatest danger if this demurrer be
the only defence state officials can
suggest. ]. M. Mason.
ILRrrER no. "a

! LETTER NO. A.
S1R:-Our article yesterday
pointed oot that the plan was to
have the certificates deposited I'M
der a contract binding holders to
settle on the same basis that Vir-
ginia had compromised. After a
majority had been educated to
accept this proposition, a Wall
street promoter. accredited by the
First National Bank of New
York, which was affiliated with
the Equitable Insurance Co. and
the coal trust, organized a syndi-
cate to take holders away from
this West Virginia proposition.
| In 1894 this promoter employed
ia member of the then Virginia
Legislature to lobby through a
law appointing himself and 9TH
er members of that Legislature a
commission to SETTLE West Vir-
ginia's debt. 1t suffices to say
that Virginia attorneys, acting
for and paid by a Wall street
Syndicate, should not NEEDLE with
our state debt. No one can read
the act appointing the commiss-
ion without seeing the graft
thinly yelled by a pretense OF
taking care of Virginia's honor.
The act speaks for itself.
But those representing the
West Virginia proposition were
able to assemble certificates in
spite of the Virginia commission
scheme. Thereupon in 1899 a
measure was surreptif.iously slip
Iped through congress directing
Gage, secretary of the treasury,
and now on the New York West
Virginia committee, to bring suit
in the name of the United States.
This scheme was defeated by SEN
ator Daniel who asked Gage to
delay action till opportunity of
fered to repeal the law, and it
was repealed next session.
The question, is, did Elkins
know about directing Gage TIC
bring suit! 1t was struggled in
to a bill pending in joint confer
ence committee to which 1t was
not germans, and it was never
mentioned in either senate 0.
house during debate.
The Gage suit scheme being
defeated, those representing the
West Virginia proposition got
the certificates, and thereupon the
New York committed was cap.
tured by the Virginia debt com
mission. And in 1900 a member
OF this commission lolsied through
a law authorizing suit provided
the certificates were placed sub
Ject to the commissions control
Virginia had three times, prior tt
1894, refused to take any actor
looking to settlement witt
West Virginia. Does any ON
believe that the Virginia legisla
ture would have authorized sui
unless the New York committe,
had agreed to divide with the at
torneys composing the commiss
ion? If it be shown that this com
mission is based On graft will no
Virginia abolish its Ifabolishet
the certificates Will drop back t,
two per cent, and then the Ger
tifcate holders Will gladly accep
the same proposition which the,
had accepted before the commiss
8 ION captures the committee. Ant
they will accept it the more read
a lily because escaping paying $3.50,
3 600 as a fee.
I No one who has studied thi
subject will, if he values reputa
ton for intelligence, say tina
) West Virginia owes nothing. TIL,
most competent counsel none,
s could find, representing the Ger
: tiicate holders, studied the ordi
: nance and examined the old rec.
( ords in Richmond to ascertain
! how stating the account woulc
result, and these competent coun
sci knew with certainty tina
West Virginia will be brough
: largely In debt. Does any on,
representing this state profess t,
have made original investioat;on