Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-05-22

John T. McGraw, of Grafton, Demo-
cratic national committeeman and
chairman Of the State committee, dis
cussiag the Virginia debt situation,
which will be read with widespread in
terest throughout the state:
Grafton, w. Va, May s, 1eO8.
Colonel Creed Collins, Pennsboro, w
| Va.
MY Dear Mr.. ColIins:-I have your
letter respecting the subcommittee
consisting of Messrs. John w. Davis,
| w. e. r.. Byrne and A. e. Kenney,
appointed by the state committee at
| parkersburg, ;ssto Immediately ascer-
tain and publish the facts in respect
to the suit instituted by Virginia
against this state. This subject is evil
| IDENTIFY of paramount Importance to
our people and it is manifestly advisa-
BILE that all the Information obtainable
| should be given to voters, and to make
it known that our party has and al
| ways will oppose every attempt to
commit the state for any part OF the
Virginia debt beyond the amour
| which the founders of West Virginia
INTENDED she should lsssumo. Unless
where private interests prevail, l am
of opinion that all our citizens. with
out reference to party affiliations, be-
lieve that the debt question should be
managed by a non-partlsan commits
sion, composed of our best business
men, such as were proposed by the
Campbell resolution of January OF Iast
year.
In common with other citizens,
have not given this subject the atten.
ton its importance demands, but am
convinced that the present acute stu
alton imperativeIy demands COM
mission, of such gentlemen as Camp
BELLS resolution propo' ed.
In their last analysis, the facts are
few and simple. We separated from
| Virginia under written contraet,
commonly called the "Wheeling Ordi-
the present suit in the name of the
state intended to limit the liability of
1.-THE new state to the amount Virginia
had ex pended for public Improvements
within the counties composing the
new state. Those promoting the pres
eat suit in thename of Virginia, many
of whom are interested in the result,
expect the court to 50 construct the
original compact, as to chage us
with one-third of the thirty-three mil
lions making a total of eighteen mill
lions for us to pay.
| Whatever else may be said, it may
be said with certainly, that the found
ers did not intend that they should pay
teigbteen millions of a debt of thirty
three millions
This debt, be it what it may, is due,
not to Virginia, but to the persons to
whom she has issued the certificates
| which new represent it. | suppose ho
one doubts that the holders of the GER
tificates are the only persons who
have any claim to any bonds we may
issue. In view of these facts cannot
see WHY we should not entirely ignore
Virginia, and make an adjustment,
through a comm isson, communicat-
| ing directly with the persons who own
the debt. Everyone will appreciate the
expectancy Of dealing directly with
tsem, Instead of with those who have
no interests except to the extent OF
contingent fees and commissions. By
this means negotiations Will be re-
stricted to persons interested to pro
teet taxpayers and creditors. My indi
vidual views have always been-ans
go far as my Information goes, also
views of such men az the late Senator
Camden, and Governors Jacobs, Math-
ews, Jackson and Fleming, that we
should settle upon thes basis of the
ameu.t which the commonwealth eX-
pended within our counties, subject of
course to the credits mentioned in the
ordinance.
Ia 1871 the Bennett -Jackson-C Camp
bell cen mission estimated the smount
at 50, 343, 1927. knowing in a measure,
the temper of cur people on this sub
ject, and the probable Appropriation of
another $4,000 to pay fees and eX-
penses to which the certificate holders
will be subject if the litigation be con-
tiaued, | think the holders would pre-.
fer to settle on the basis suggested
rather than on the besls of eighteen
millions, with an overwhelming ma
jority Of our people believing that four
fifths Of it is grossly unjust. The New
York holders OF certificates will, |
think, if the matter be presented in
the proper light, take this view. Such |
gentlemen as these named in the Camp /