Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-01-22
ThE DEBT SUIT SCHEME.
Number l

THE DEBT SUIT SCH
Number L.
The situation has no precedent. A
proper delusion exists that the court
will acquit the state. Corrupt influence
eultiyates this delusien so carefully
that no member Of the Legislature de-
yeleps courage to speak truth publicly.
This situation exists although any ed
ueated man may take three easily ac-
eessiblc documents and with one days
study demonstrate that, unless halt
ed, the court must state the ordinance
account and that stating 1t must
bring us in debt exceeding nine and
probably fifteen millions. Those hold
ing office profess ignorance and say
they are too busy to study the nest i'm
pertant matter before any Legislature.
Why take office if so busy for its du-
ties? How can you ask offite two years
hence when admitting that you are 50
utterly uncsncsrned about the states
interest as not to study subject 20
import.nt. Suppose any man like
Blue or Meredith now made public ut
teranee that, having studied the sub
jsct, he was prepared to prove that the
state has practically confessed judg
ment for exceeding nine millions.
West Virginia requested the court to
instruct it's master to report the facts
required to state the account. III stat
ing it No aust bring us in debt nine mil
lions, was it not equivalent to confess
ing Judgment to ask the court to state
it? Observe, the answer sets up NO de-
tense, but states facts calculated to
create = popular delusion that the
safe is not in danger. Should not the
intelligent class turn against men de
iceiving them? 1t is pot graft that is
keeping all our brainy men silent; it is
timidity about antagenizing the cor
rupt influence behind this silence
which is based en- deception and or
keeping the legislature igneranttillt the
court brings us in debt sfor sxceedlHg
nine millions. Observe the gigantic
profit depending on secrecy. This pro-
fit 10 the difference between the
amount spent fer roads &c. and the
amount for W hleh the court will bring
us in debt The Bennett com mission
estimated the roads &c. at less than
$500, 900. Crafty men, supplied with
money, give undivided time to mis-
lead opinion; thus far no one, In pest
tier to force hearing, before the state.
II members of the legislature lack
time to inform themselves, is ii not
time for such action as will give them
the real facts? Surely public men know
that scheme is on foot to suppress
truth till the court brings us in debt
for very many miilion- more than the
roads cost. la 1893 the certincate
holders were willing to settle on THIS
basis. The next article explains how
and why appointing proper com
mission will limit and restrict the debt
to the amount for roads, etc. We pay
a proper commission, viz; our five best
republicans aud five best democrats;
men who, when inquired about, prove
honorable and competent; men net
thinking sb) Dat making money out Of
the states distress, and not thinking
about getting Office by evsdisg dis
agreeable facts or by counting corrupt
infisence. Observe that all this CHATTER
about "the people wishing the court
t, decide is simply device whereby
p itieions evade the duty of telling
voters tbs truth, to.wit; that our pub
lie men, in both parties, have been de-
ceiving them. Observe, this chatter
c1nfined to that part of the office seek
i class willing TO risk the states
ruin provided they avoid antagonirg
grsfters. Observe, none dare speak
aolicly against 4 proper commission;
exposition is csniined 10 whispering
and secret log-roiling. Will some enc
posing AZ Meses tell US what this
state is 10 de if the coart gives de-
cision for fifteen millions, or even
niue? The certificates were quoted last
week Oh Wall street on the basis that
West Virginia mus pay exceeding ten