Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-02-12
The Debt Suit
No. "

Editor statesE an Democrat:
Please accept this letter 10 another
Is an article:
| cannot now lake time to answer
your inquiry about the Intelligeneer's
recent illumination against eonpro-
mise. 1t is amusing.
Ohe-The proposal fora proper COM
mission IS thesexact opposite OF the
proposition TO compromise with Vir-
gin ia attorneys attributed to the Ca
zette clique. so far / knew every man
affiliated with the-elique has always
secretly opposed such a commission as
would publish the truth. The certifi-
Gates we're deposited with the Wall
street committee to prevent our debt
fro exceeding the amount fer roads,
and in 1859 holders agreed to this propo-
sitIon. See the plan Of settlement. I
gave Conley copy of it. The Virginia
attorneys came in and misieG my
Wall street figure-beads to abandon
tire proposition for which holders de-
posted. was never attorney for any
committee. We paraded magnates to
carry out or pgopcsitien,and ofcourse
] refused association when this propo-
s'tion was abandoned
This suit is a scheme 10 fix on US
many millions more than the amount
for roads, which Bennett estimated at
three and half milliona. The court
must bring us in debt for exceeding
nine millions. You see the gigantic
profits they are after. Any deal with
Virginia attorneys or with the Wall
street committee, as now constituted,
means huge rake-of to Virginia at
torneys, Wall street, promoters, and
West Virginia grafters. A proper COM
mission would never suggest cempro-
mise unless absolutely certain that
there was no hope of escaping a de-
cision for exceeding nine millions. Ii
there is no hope then proper commits
sion would speak directly to the per-
sons owning the certificates, viz: 1t
would eliminate Virginia attorneys,
Wall street committee, grafters and all
ge-betweens, and bring holders back
to the proposition agreed to 1899
The original suit scheme was to pro-
psse compromise before the court gave
a decision stating the account, but the
proposition to appoint proper COM
caused grafters to change their
plans and suspend proposition to
till after a decision for
largely more than nine millions. Hence
nobody is proposing compromise After
the court gives decision then they will
propose compromise for several mil
lions more than the amount for reads.
Two Your explanation of the Intel
sencar's unexpected, uncalled for and
veciferons opposition te compromise
ard the Registers silence may be cor
rect The charitable explanation 10
that the IntelIegencer has been mis-
led by erafters To supp Sc that those
roPoslng a proper commission are
willing to saddle the etate with an
just debt TIE unchsitsble explana-
tioR of its sudden outburst to sup
pose that it has determined to obey the
Flkins machine ukase against such
action as will best protect the state.
I his vociferous opposition against
compromise nobody is proposing will
pave the way tor large appropriation
to depend suit, although none of the
lawyers profess to know Of any defense.
Imagine how grafters would STAN EIDE
i some fearless man demanded joint
debate before the tparce committee,
or If the Mai. or Intelligencer would
print articles by men not asking fav-
or
| presume you noticed the reso.u-
tion 10 gmerd the constitution to au-
fhorze he Legislature 20 issue bonds
''tohui'd good roads and pay pre-
yious liability a ga pre- fious liza
hjlHyn neai this debt. 1t will test
eincerny 10 strike out previous liabil-
ity"
Send the ~ some member of the
legislature who is thinking about the
states safety Respectfully
j. M. Mason
CAarles Town, Feb.