Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-06-04

and he regrets lacking leisure just nj
this time 10 make such reply as the
Iimpor ance OF the subject merits, you
ask.
One. Why did you stop writing
laA February when Dawson called The
secret joint scssion9v Answer, A
client had business to ian portant to dc.
lay and Il has occupied me ever sins
Ii seemed Useless TO make effort when
no member Of the legislature developed
lnsnhood TO speak publicly what every
competent member, except grafters,
were saying privately Again certain
lcading papers were mnxxiee.
| Two. "Nhy is the truth suppress
cd?' Because IL the truth Wa known
to voters having sufficient intelligence
10 value honest government then the
grand jury class would rise IN their
might &c repudiate the politicians IN
both parties who stood aloof, and to
relentlessly boycott the leading news
! papers v hich were silent, while graft
ers defeated the only proposition that
would make the state safe. But Of ihis
more presently. II attention be arrest
| ed The grand jury class viii surely re-.
| strict their patronage 10 papers venti.
| lating truth without fear, favor or af-
lection.
Vixen suit was brought in 1905 re-
publican In the south west, and one Of
our wisest men, proposed appointing a
commission, to take care or The state,
composed OF our five best republicans
! aud live best democrats; men indie
pendent OF Office seekers, machine =.
grafters and state officials, Appointing
such commission meant the restora-
ton OF the Plan Of settlement, credit
tors agreed To in 1899, which was upset
Virginia attorneys alter the SI5Uo00
fee. Under that of settlement West
Virginia could made any defense she
had, and, ifIo defense, our debt could
| not exceed the amount Virginia spent
for roads, etc, in West Virginia coun-
ties and which anfSunt the Bennett
commission OF 1871 estimated mt about
three and q half millions. Appointing
such a commission meant eliminating
| grafters and eliminating inch using
the states distress MS a pfetext to get
money out Of her treasury. X meant
protecting both taxpayers and eredi-
tors against men are aflera rake-ofi.
But above all, II meant publicity in
stead Of secrecy, deception and subter-
| fuge.
Three. "syhat liz the present situ-
atom" Answer. Tine courl appointed
LlttlefeId 10 ascertain and report the
facts needed to state the ordinance ne.
count. He IL 10 report; First. The
amount u state expenditures. VA, the
amount Virginia spent lii West vir-
Rlnia counties for roads, etc Second.
The amount Of the ordinary expenses
Of the Virginia government for the
forty years between 1890 and 1851.
Third. The amount Ut taxes, etc,
collected In West Virginia during said
forty years.
Both states have nad experts in Rich
mond eighteen months collecting this
information for I.ittiefieId. The Ok Y
pense has been enormous: the Wall
street syndicate furnishing money 10
Virginia attorneys. The lawyers as-
sembled In Richmond to meet Little
field last November; sixty days before
our legislature was 10 convene. Viz
ginIa then furnished her figures.
w est Virginia said she would not bel
ready till late in February, and II YVES
whispered that she deemed It expedi-
ent 70 hold up her figures till our leg
isiaturc was about to adjourn. The
law requires state officials to make re-
ports TO the legislature. The builders
OF our political system buiided on the
theory that state officials would pub
fish truth, not conceal Ii. Lft every
DISQUALIFICATION consider tie corrupt
infiuence which kept this matter cut
OF the governors message and the at
torney generals report Ifa proper
commission was taking care Of tine
state would not the pubIlcbe Informed
Of facts which were Known to state Of
ficiais sixty days before the legislature
met? Let thoughtful citizens reflect on
the corrapt unseen influence which
has kept out u ueM spaperu tie figures
which West Virginia furnished last
week for Liitiefield 20 give to the
court. Why not admit the terrible
truth; TO vii, even il the court adopis
the figures furnished BY Nest vir-
gipia then stating fuc ordit ance ac-
count brings her debt over nine mil
iions, ard oyer thirteen millions il
the court adopts the figures furnished
by Virginia. Remember, The value Of