West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-09-30
THE DEBT SUIT
Influence Concentrated 10 Prevent a
Hearing for The Truth.
MASON ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS
Court Knows This Suit Is unaduNer-
ated Gratt-Wau Street Syndicate
Supplies the Money.
NUMBER ".

NUMBER ~.
The writer regrets his inability TO span,
the time this matter requires. II rvquires
much time, because such gigantic i'm
tuence is concentrated to prevent hear
ing for the truth.
Fut-n controversy between two
states the court will continue the case il
motion bc made before il is submitted
Although not taking judicial notice of
the fact, the court knows that this suit il
unadulteratcd graft
Sccond-Thc Virginia attorneys are act
ing under a law which expressly says th..t
she shall bc ut no expense whatever. The
Wall street syndicate, supplying Virginia
attorneys with cash, have lien TO the
extent of 10 per cent, or S26, 600 for the
thirteen million deposited certificates, II
the scheme fails, and for per cent il any
settlement results. The syndicate, not
persons owning certificates, is supplying
money. The writer has little information
rs 10 the amount already put up, but it
must be very large. About twelve years
ago u Wall street banker stated that he
and his friends were out of pocket exceed
ing $500, 600. II West Virginia be- repre-
scented by competent men, thinking only
OF her interest, no matter what the court
decides, the syndicate must spend at least
a million before this state agrees TO pay
exceeding four millions. The writer does
not believe il would he possible for the
syndicate to raise cash 10y assessing the
certificate owners.
Third-Tho Virginia attorneys lack au-
thority TO compromise, hut il they had
authority the Elkins-Dawsm machine is
so suspected, discredited, and distrustcd
that any compromise under it, auspices,
il exceeding four millions, would be re-
pudiated whenever this state is rescued
from it, Gluten. Not only so, but any
bonds, issued under the auspices OF such
n machine, would not command public
confidence and would not sell above 20
per cent.
Fourth-Thc law appointing the attor-
neys, in Mays reprint, page Al, is plain.
They were appointed 10 settle West Vir-
ginia's part OF the Virginia debt, which
part is represented by the certificates.
West Virginia could discharge herself by
either taking up the certificates or by
making payment TO Virginia and leaving
her TO settle with creditors. The value of
property, transferred by the act of 1868,
has no connection with our part of the
debt, and the certificate holders have no
demand whatever on account OF this
property. But the attorneys are making,
in the name of Virginia, two distinct de-
mands First, for the amount fixed on
us by the ordinance, and second, for the
value of this property. The syndicate Is
paying the expenses about collecting this
property, although the syndicate will not
bc benefited unless the attorneys bctray
their own state.
Fiith-lf the Virginia legislature, which
meets in January, gives the attorneys cx-
plicit and unequivocal authority TO sign
her name 10 a receipt in full for all de-
mands, then our legislature, unless con-
trolled by persons with corrupt motive,
or by ignorance, will offer TO exchange
for such receipt four millions Of per
cent thirty year bonds exempt from taxa
ton. If exempt they will soon be held
at home. A homc-held debt is not half
so heavy as a foreign-held debt because
the interest remains among the people
who pay it. A proposal 10 compromise
at four millions will be Endorsed by those
thinking only Of the states interest and
taking trouble 30 understand the situa-
ton, but will be unpopular with graiters
expecting part Of a seven million rake-oG.
Orators we'll know that settlement at
four millions means rcpudiating all con-
tracts about the rake-of. II West Vir-
ginia gets a proper receipt she will not be
concerned with the lawsuits which will
come between the syndicate and Virginia
attorneys and between the certificate
holders and the syndicate.
OF course this suggestion will raise an
cutlery, but il the reader listens and
watches he will see that il emanales from
persons without motive except rake-oG.
10 it remembered that the syndicate bases
all hope ON the ability Of the Elkins-
Dawson machine 10 prevent the appoint
ment Of q proper commission. let the
reader inquire why Dawson called the
secret joint session at the special session
last year and tried 10 palm of fake
committee as n proper commission. Con-
slider what would be the effect II the truth
about this debt suit scheme was made
known 10 the ten most intelligent citizens
in each county who have no motive ex-
cept the states interest.
J. VI. MASON.
Charles Town, Sept ~.