Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-01-29
The Debt Suit Scheme

able West virginia to settle her debt
by dealt g with the holders; and sec
ond: That in 1899 the holders agreed
to plan of settlement whereby our
debt could not exceed the amount spent
for roads, etc, and that this pIau OF
settlement was upset by Virginia at
tsrneys, msquerading as a commits
sion, but hired by Wall Street, and
without motive except the $3.50, 600
rake-od
A commission of our five best repub-
licsns and five best democrats, COM
man1ing equal confidence on Wall
Street and in this State, would act
about as follows:
| l. 1t would ascertain whether there
was any hope of defeating the suit. !.
2. hetberthere is any possible way
to prevent the court from bringing us
in debt exceeding nine millions.
| 3. Ascertain the lowest amount for
which the court will certainly bring
us in debt.
Such commission, if unanimous
that the court must, unless halted,
brin g us in debt exceeding nine mil
lion s,would notify the certificate hold
ers, that, if they came back to the
proposition which they agreed to in
1899, then the commission would adj
visc the legislature to take up the
certificates by issuing that amount Of
bonds. And it would also notify the
holders that, if they ca back to the
proposition whereby our debt could
not exceed the ccst of the roads. etc.
then nobody should get any rake-off.
BE 1t rememb cred, the holders are
keenly alive to the existing saturnalia
of graft, subseryiency and deception,
and the holders well know that, as the
matter is now managed, Wall street
promoters, Virginia attorneys and
West Virginia grafters are likely TO
take full half of whatever the State
pays. Appointing proper commits
sion will put this business in the hands
of high-toned men and take it cut OF
the region of secrecy, corruption, dis
gust and distrust. Then the hungry
horde. watching this States distress
as baZzards watch sick mule, will
have no voice, and the honest men,
now SO timid and trucking, will be-
come courageous. Experience teaches
that unless some man is present who
is com petent honest and courageous,
the legislature never acts wisely when
gigantic profit is depending on unwise
action. This States danger lies in the
fact that no one who commands a
hearing is befriending her in her hour
of peril. No observant man can be
blind to the fact that unseen influence
| intimidates, or corrupts, those in q
position to command hearing.
This legislature has several men in
the prime of life and with brains to
| force bearing for facts. Why are
/ these men silent when such a splendid
| future is open to the man in West Vir-
| gin ia who, in this epoch of corrupt
and cringing sycephancy, gives ex-
| preston to the feelings of every right
| minded citizen? The silence of such
men proves the unseen influence Of
corrupt methods and also proves the
unseen influence of corrupt methods
and also proves the great need for such
a commission as would make the truth
, known. Politicians and editors ere
never timid when they can quote a
commission which has the respect of
the grand jury class.
| A proper commission would con-
| tinue the case. Certain honest but
timid men, unwittingly eehoing graft
ers and seeking excuse for evading
plain duty, are new saying: at is ne
use To appoint concession, because
we cannot get the case out of court"
But sucn prattle deceives no one who
thinks. Courts always aid compro-
mise. The court has never denied
n otter to continue if made by State
Besides the court knows that Virginia
delayed forty years and that the ma
ture OF the case is such that contin-
uauce cannot prejudice Virginia. Sure
ly no lawyer protesting acquaintance
with the courts's practice in cases be-
tween states will go on record as ex-
pressing the opinion that the court
would refuse to contInueff West Vir-
ginia exhibited tie plan of settlement
which the holders agreed to in 1899,
and stated that she desired opportunity
to see whether the holders will not now
accept the amount spent for roads, etc,
1t is pc rfectly safe to assume that the
court would order its master TO sus-
pend investigation and continue for at
least year.
OF course any suggestion in this be-
half will be secretly opposed by those
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