West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-09-23
THE DEBT SUIT
Machine Afraid 10 Publish 0fnCial
Figures.
FACTS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Explanation OF Motives for Secrecy.
Scheme Managed by the
Crattlest OF Men.
THE DEBT SUIT
FACTS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
NUMBER IN.


In every county the intelligent class
takes notice that ever since this debt suit
scheme started the Dawson Elkins ma
chine with its Democratic partners has
exhausted effort To deceive voters into be
lieving that the court could not bring the
state in debt. Facts speak louder than
words. The fact is that this machine is
now afraid TO publish the official figures
filed with Littlc6eld.
Surely every one socs that, after the case
has BEEN submitted to the court, il will be
too late for such action as would protect
the state. II taxpayers were today sud
denly confronted with an official an.
nouncomcnt that, according tn the figures
hlod,with Littlofleld, the court il bound
10 bring the state i'm debt exceeding ninc
millions, 10y stating the ordinance account,
and exceeding two millions for property
transferred by the act of 1863, would not
the demand for proper commission be
too turbulent for any machine to resist2
Here, then, is an explanation for this
anxiety and haste TO get the case ready to
loo submitted at the October term, and
here also is an explanation of the motive
to keep official figures secret. But as
soon as the case has been submitted then
every yclping placc-holder under the Ell
kins-Dawson machine, by concerted ac-
ton and with one voice, will preach that
we have no alternative except 10 pay any
judgment the court renders.
The reader having education sufficient
to figure seven millions with thirty-fvc
years interest will consider the value of
such commission as would save West
Virginia taxpayers that much Rcmem-
Der that two-thrds Of the voters lack in
tclligencc to comprehend that, i'm West
Virginia today, the average politician and
average editor il seeking personal adj
vanccmcnt 10y making himself useful to
some political boss or TO some financial
magnate, and that his usefulness to such
magnate depends on his ability 10 deceive
ignorance or 10 enlist venality. But the
men most useful to the Wall street syndi-
cate are the attorneys for the Standard
OIL and railroads who intimidatc brainy
young lawyers 10y whispering that they
will be blacklistcd and boycotted 10y the
rich and influential unless they talk
against Roosevelt, Bryan, IaFollcttc, and
Dolliver, and unless they stand silently
aloot whenever such scheme as this debt
suit IL in progress. But of this more pres
emily.
The reader should keep in mind that
this scheme is managed by some Of the
craitiest men living who have no interest
whatever except TO pocket rale-oT. And
be II remembered that this rake-oT is the
difference between the amount taken from
West Virginia taxpayers and the amount
which will be realized by her creditors.
Her creditors are the persons who actual
ly own the certificates Virginia issued To
represent West Nirginia's debt Appoint
ing committee means that il West Nir-
ginia assumes four millions, then four
millions shall go directly into the pockets
OF persons who own certificates. But
those acquainted with the ways Of Wall
street syndicatcs and with the methods Of
graftcrs do we'll know that il this scheme
succeeds the certificate owners will be-
lucky il they net a. much a. one-third OF
the amount taken from taxpayers. And
in this connection let thinking citizens OBJ
serve and watch the notifications OF the
corrupt influence Of syndicate expecting
rakc-oG Of seven millions, and also OBJ
serve that with one voice the anti-Scherr
Republicans opposed appointing an hon
est commission, and are now opposing it.
The publication, quoted in last article,
said IF the court sustains the conten-
tons by West Virginia it will bring Vir-
GINA in debt 81, 40S, lO9.80." But thus
far every so-callcd contention" was rid
died and laughed at ~ soon ~ disclosed.
II appears that the disciples Of the ma
chine are now whispering, but not pub
fishing, new contention" This whis-
pering il about az follows.
Dawson's figures prove that West Viz
Rinia counties ovcrpaid their share OF ordi-
nary expenses. In 1860, for example, Viz
ginia paid interest on thirty millions Of
bonds, but four-ffths Of them were issued
to build roads etc, in Virginia. The
documents exhibited by Virginia attor-
neys give the ordinary expenses during
that year at three millions, and they
charge West Virginia with 20 per cent or
$3.50, 900. But Dawson points ont that
these ordinary expenses consisted Of 81, -
800, 900 for interest and only 81 ,2OO, 900
for the expenses Of running the govern
ment. Dawson's proposition Is that IL
would DC unjust 70 compel one state b.
pay interest on bonds issued 10 build
roads in another state. Littlcfeld under