West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-20
Mason Has More 10 Say on This
important Matter.
SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Expense OF Suit Has Already Been
Enormous-cerrupt Innu-
enec at Work.
NUMBER l.

hoiiN NUTS asking lTaCtlCallN the Same
questions have come 10 the writer, and he
regrets lacking leisure just at this time to
make such rcplyas the importance Of the
subject merits
onc-'Why did you stop writing last
February when Dawson called the secret
joint session." Answcr-A client had
business too important to delay and il has
occupied me ever since. Again, il seemed
useless tn make effort when no member
of the legislature developed manhood to
speak publicly what every competent
member, except graitcrs, was saying pri-
vatcly Again, certain leading papers
we've muzzlcd.
Two-"Why is the truth suppresscd?''
Answcr-Bccausc il the truth was known
Ia voters having sufficient intelligence to
value honest government, then the grand
jury class would rise in their might to
cpudiatc the politicians in both parties
who stood alooi, and to rclentlcSsly boy
colt the leading newspapers which were
silent while graftcr defeated the only
proposition that would make the state
safe. But of this morc presently. Ii at
tcntion bc arrested the grand-jury class
will surely restrict their patronage to
papers vcntilating truth without fear,
favor or affection.
When the suit was brought in 1906 "a
Republican in the southwest, and one of
our wiscst men, proposed appointing II
commission to take care of the state COM
posed Of our five best Republicans and
five best Dcmocrats-mcn independent of
oilice-scekers, machines, graltcrs, and
officials Appointing such commission
meant the restoration Of the plan Of set
Element creditors agreed Ia in 1899, which
was upset 10y Virginia attorneys after the
100000 fee. Under that plan OF settle
mcnt West Virginia could make any de-
Tense she had, and, IL no defense, our
debt could not exceed the amount Nir-
ginia spent for roads, etc, i'm West Vir-
ginia counties, and which amount the
Bennett commission of 1871 estimated ut
about three and half millions.
Appointing such commission meant
eliminating grafters and eliminating men
using the states distress N prcteNt TO
get money ont of her treasury. 1t meant
protecting both taxpayers and creditors
against men who are after a rake-of.
But above all, it meant publicity instead
of secrecy, deception, and subtcrfuge.
Threc--"What is the present situa-
TOM Answer-Thc court appointed
Littlcfcd to ascertain and report the facts
needed to state the ordinance account.
He IL to report;
First-The amount Of state cxpendi-
lures, viz: The amount Virginia spent in
West Virginia counties for roads, etc.
Second-Thc amount of the ordinary
expenses Of the Virginia government for
the forty years between 1920 and 1861
Third-Thc amount of taxes, etc, col
lccted in West Virginia during said forty
years.
Both states have had experts in Rich
mond eighteen months collecting this in
formation for Littlefcld. The expense
has been enormous, the Wall street syn
dictate furnishing money to Virginia at
torncys Tho lawyers assembled in Rich
mond to meet Littlcfield last November,
sixty days before our legislature was TO
convene. Virginia then furnished her
figures West Virginia said she would
not be ready till late i'm February, and IT
was whispered that she deemed it expo
dent to hold up her figures till our lcgis-
laturc was about to adjourn. The law
requires state officials TO make reports 10
the legislature.
The builders Of our political system
buildcd on the theory that state officials
would publish truth-nOt conceal IL. let
every thoughtful citizen consider the cor
rupt influence which kept this matter ont
Of the governors message and the attor-
ney generals report. II proper com
mission was taking care Of the state would
not the public be informed Of facts which
were known 10 state officials sixty days
before the Legislature met? let thought
ful citizens reflect on the corrupt unsccn
influence which has kept out OF the news
papers the figures which West Virginia
furnished last week for Littlcfcld to give
~ the court Why not admit the terrible
truth, to-wit: Even il the court adopts
the figures furnished by West Virginia,
then stating the ordinance account brings
her in debt over nine millions, and over
thirteen millions il the court adopts the
figures furnished by Virginia. Remcm-
Der, the value Of the property transferred
by the act Of 1869 j. in addition
The writer will answer any question
asked him about this matter. Will Daw-
son or the attorney general answer ques-
tons? Continued next issue, giving the
figures J. NJ MSsON.
Charles Town, w. Va