The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-25
STATE HAS CLAIM
AGAIN ST NATION.
Governor Hands Uncle Sam Lit
tie Bill for Eighty
Millions.
VIOLATION OF coNTRAc /
Land Coded by Virginia Was
Diverted to Local
VIOLATION OF coNTRAc /

j.
Though reading more like chapter
from highly colored novel of adj
venture than like State paper. the
special message sent yesterday by
Governor Swanson to the General As
sembly, upon consideration of the ac-
companying documents, impresses the
reader with the probability OF the
validity of the claim. In addition. the
statement of the Governor that DR..
Fulton's statement appears to estab-
lish its justice and legality" is prIma
facie evidence that there is something
in it. The Executive Is not in the
habit of chasing rainbows
Though Superintendent Eggleston
and DIR. Fulton deserve the credit for
bringing the matter to the attention
of the State. 1t must not be argued
that this is a will-o-the-wisp of re-
cent knowledge, for forty years ago
the States first Superintendent OF
Public Instruction. DR.. William III.
Ruffner, was calling the attention of
the Legislature OF Virginia to the
\ matter. But the very existence OF the
claim had been forgotten when Mr.
Eggleston took hold OF the matter,
and. enlistfns the services of DR.. Full
| ton. has succeeded in bringing into
| tangible form what may result In put
ting dozen million dollars. perhaps
more, in the Treasury of the Common
| wealth.
| The history Of the present move
ment is told briefly and completely in
| two letters. The first of these is from
|, DIR. Robert II. Fulton. superintendent
| of the Miller Manual School, in Abe
marie county, to superintendent Egg
| gleston. dated December %, 1909
In at
| The Fulton Letter.
/ In the spring of the year 1907 you
| called my attention to the statements
| published by your predecessor in Of
| flee, the late Dr. William II. Ruffner,
| in his first. second and third annual
| reports. as superintendent of Public
Instruction GS71-1S73), regarding the
reserved interest of the State of Nir-
Einia in the lands northwest of the
| Ohio River. which lands she ceded
| under certain conditions. to the United
| States in 1854. Soon after this con-
/ versation, in June, 1907. you requested
i me to make an examination of the
! matter to which DR.. Ruffner referred
and you supplied me with copies of
4 the reports above mentioned, and gave
/ many helpful suggestions.
"The matter has had my most care
1 full consideration. ! have sought orig
4 inal sources of Information, as well
as the opinions of statesmen and writ
ers which might throw light upon the
subject While It's various ramiflca-
| tions have ed nmany directions. have
| subject. While its various ramihca-
i lions have led in many directions. have
i tended over long HISTORICAL period,
4 trust that the essential facts which
should form the basis of a correct
/ Judgment are shown with sufficient
i clcarness In the condensed statement
herewith presented.
"In this statement. have brought
together In proper sequence certain
4 well-kuown historical facts. and have
made references to the authorities
consulted.
! "The subject is of more than aca-
4 .demic interest since 1t involves ques-
!. tons of right and Justice and patriot
4 ism, and concerns the great State or
i virginia In her relations to her sister
] states, and to the republic.
you are at liberty to use this pa
i per In any way which you may thlnn
proper"
The other letter referred to Is tina,
OF January %, 1910, from Mr.. Egges-
ton. submitting the papers In the mat
ter to the Governor, Mr.. Eggleston
says;
I'm the state SCHOOL reports OF SUI
(. perintendent W. H. Ruffner for the
{. years 1S7l-1s7s, extended mention is
! made of the claims of Virginia against
tho United states, based on tile ces,
sion of the Northwest Territory.
4 II started an Investigation OF these
\ claims in 1906, but found that it would
4 take TOO much of my time from off,
\ cial duties knowing that DIR. r. b.
Fulton, al one time chancellor of the
4 University OF Mississippi and now,
nras,dent OF the Miller School or viz
rin,a had an intimate acquaintance
w,th The public land Legislation and
nnllcies of tho United States govern
4 ment asked him III the spring or
u 1ooT 10 make a thorough investiga-
tinn Of virginia's rights In tho prem
4 Uses.
Il ,,l, mr.. Fulton aud had n co,,ferenca
,,,tp You IN regard TO this matter aud
/. al, before you the results OF the in
,n .u ,,ratlon made by pr, Fulton. You
.,,,,,,asted certain further lines az IN.