Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
VI. GINlA D BT LIVE ISSUE
SUBJECT UNDER CONSIDERA-
TON IN WEST VIRGINIA.
Senator Scott Gives Out Statement
Anent the Taft Boom-Polit-
ical Conditions.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

of the week in West Virginia The leg
isture took up the ante-belum claims of
Virginia against West Virginia. now
being pressed by the private SPECTATORS
Under Gov. Dawsons call for the special
session consideration of the debt question
was regarded as proper. Senator Scott
delivered himself formally of his views on
West Eirginia's attitude respecting Taft
and other presidential possibilities. and
also made an earnest plea for calm con-
side ration OF candidates on the state
ticket to the end that harmony might
prevail in the republican ranks.
It is too early TO predict the extent the
Virginia debt will play in the state CAM
paign For months there have been
rumors regarding it, These rumors have
been current more in intimate circles
than upon the highways and byways. and
they suggest hot stuff eventually.
For years the debt certificates have
been pushed repeatedly. and as frequently
the legislature Of West Virginia has
repudtated them. Party platforms have
gone on record against them with similar
emphasis. Originally the debt claim was
advanced by the mother state, repre-
senting the share the territory now COM
prising West Virginia should assume of
the obligation of the Old Dominion prior
to the creation of the war-born common
wealth. For several years these certifi-
Gates have been held by a syndicate which
secured them from Virginia.
Plea in Defense.
West Virginias defense has been that
the debt represented an expense for public
improvements which were not received by
the counties now embraced in West Vir
ginia. But there was sentiment for
compromise on a modest scale. and
score of years or more ago West Nir-
ginia appointed commissioners to go to
Richmond to open negotiations These
commissioners were not received cour-
teously. Nevertheless, they remained In
Richmond until they made an accounting
of what they thought West Virginia with
propriety might pay to the mother state.
They estimated the amount at something
like 100000.
On their face the certificates now rep
resent. with interest. approximately. $40
10000 After years of effort the pld n
tiffs have succeeded in getting their cause
in preliminary fashion before the United
States Supreme Court. For embodying
consideration Of the suit in his special ses-
sion call Gov. Dawson has been criticised
on the score that such action would tend
to countenance a claim heretofore repeat
erly repudiated and might influence the
Supreme Court. The governor insisted in
reply that his call was to get an appro-
pration COR the legal counsel necessary
to represent West Virginia to the proper
extent.
A joint resolution was offered in the
legislature this week providing for the
appointment OF a bipartisan commission
of distinguished citizens to help look after
West Virginia's interests in the matter-in
short. an advisory body. Opponents to
the resolution commended the appointment
of the commission would have the effect
of scattering responsibility In the event
West Virginia would lose the suit. Ardent
Bryanistic democratic solons objected
to the democratic commissioners suggest
ed on the ground that only two of them,
or three at the best had voted for Bryan
In 1896.
Commission Suggested.
The commission suggested by the admin
istration includes the following republic
cans: Judge John w. Mason Judge F.. NJ.
Reynolds. Samuel Dixon, Gen. George w.
Curtin. Isaac T. Mann, Judge Nathan
Golf, Capt John K. Thompson. The dem
ocrats suggested are William G. Bennett.
John j. Cornweil. ex-GOv. w. 4. MacCor-
Ike. E. NJ. Gilkeson. G.. w. Campbell. ex-
Senator J. n Camden and F. 3. Enslow.
Many of the debt certificates are held in
West Virginia. The price has leaped from
cents share to ten times as much in
less than year. indicating the confidence
of the holders in the ultimate outcome
From being thing to be passed off from
year to year, the debt situation has become
serious. The outcome is not expected for
few years, but the coming state cam
paign is sure to bristle with this qUes-
tion
Pays Tribute to Taft.
Senator Scott. stopped off at his home
in Wheeling for few days while return
ing from Chicago, where he attended the
meeting Of the republican committees
subcommittee which attended to details
for the national convention. While in this
city he gave out an interview in which
he remarke: n the favorable expressions
for Tat in West Virgins and stated that
he had no fault to find with this drift. FOR
what West Virginia wanted WAS what Re
wanted. He took occasion to pay Taft a
high tribute. incidentally prais;ng Fair
banks and Cannon. Senator Scott was
pa ~ticularly impressive in urging the re-
publ'cans of West Virginia to be cool and
not become embroiled in intarnecine war
fare this year. TO- he minated the party
would have rather a more vigorous de-
mocracy to cope with In this state than
had been the case in recent campaigns
The senator's remarks struck re-
sponsiva chord among the conservative
republicans who fear certain reckless
ness in party selections.
Democratic Candidate for Congress.
Ignatius Brennan of Wheeling Is the
first full-fledged democratic candidate for
Congress In the field. He Is willing to b.
hit with the lightning this year. He STAYED
off nomination at the party convention
at Fairmont four years ago when he
caused stampede toward him by soul
thrilling outburst On Jeffersonian democ-
racy. That speech came within an ace of
intiicting the nomination On his sturdy
Prof. J. Walter Barnes. Brennans former
instructor at the Fairmont Normal School.
and it took energetic work on the part
ard others to put Barnes through. They
had been prepared to head off Tom
Horner of Lewis county. but Brennan's
appearance sorely distressed
them for awhile Although the nomina-
ton is an empty honor and defeat a fore
gone conclusion. 1t is understood Horner
is a standing candidate.
Representatives Hubbard. woodward
and Hughes got worked up this week
over the pending Montgomery corrupt
ractices bill. because the date of its op-
GRAFTON would have nrllified the dates
they have already selected for their re-
spective conventions. Both Hughes and
woodward hurried to Charleston TO have
tha date changed.
woodward is the only one of the dele
cation with a contest on his hands, I'M
less Senator Hazlett determine to go
against Hubbard. Michael Duty of Rit chic
county who has lowered in the lime
light with temperance legislation i'm the
ris Of Petersburg are candidates against
The Richie county commit