Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-04-07
virSjnia Debt.


that this state do the very thing some
Democrats urged it to do before and
after the suit was brought. justice
Holmes, speaking for the Court and
discussing the questcn ofinterest on thu
principal sum found against us, says:
"Statutes Of limitations, II nothing
else would be Likely to interpose bar
A. this is no ordinary commercial suit
but a. we have said, quasi-interns-
uonal difference, referrei TO th.s oJds.
in reliance upon the honor and consti
tutional obligations of the states COZ
cerned, rather than upon ordinary
remedies, we think it best at this stage
:, 90 no further, but to wait the effect
of conference between the parties,
| which, whatever the outcome, must
| take place. II the cause should he
messed eoptentiously TO the end u
would be referred to master to go
over the figures that we have given
| Professionally aud to make such ca'cula.
tions as might become neces airy. But
this case is one that calls for forbear-
ance on both sides. Great stsles have
temper superior to that of private liti-
giants and it is to be hoped that enough
has been decided for patriotism, the
fraternity of the Union and mutual
consideration to bring it to an end >
In other words the curt says to the
states, get together and settle this con-
troversy. you fight 1t out here in
this Court it may be well for Deithet Of
you. Aud thereby hangs tale.
Let us again remind the people that
when the Legislature of Virginia pass
ed the authorizing the institution of
the suit and the duly authorized repre-
sentatives of the state of Virginia came
to Charleston, seeking an audience with
the legislature and executive officials,
saying to them: ave have been in
structed by the sovereign state OF Viz
ginia to bring suit against West Viz
giuia for many millions of dollars, I'M
less we can settle our differences ami
cebIy; we say toyou if you will take
the matter up with US in good faith
you can settle the matter practically
Oh your own terms.
Did the legislature or state officials
seize the opportunity to get rid of the
nightmare or find out the facts about
it and make them public? oh no! The
commissioners FROM Virginia were
snubbed, treated discourteously, went
home sore and the suit was the re ult.
Several times the Democrats in thar
and the succeeding legislatures, know
ing that we were threatened with
tremendously expensive lawsuit, even
if no judgment was found and know
ing further that Virginia bad little real
interest in the debt matter, and feeling
that a settlement could be effected
much easier with her representatives
than with the holders of the certificates
ana feeling further that the people
themselves should know the exact
status of the matter, for what amount
ana in what way it could be settled, SO
they could determine for themselves
whether they desired to compromise
the matter or engage in litigation; fer
these reasons they several times sought
to pass resolution creating com.
mission to be composed of men of the
highest character, from both political
parties, to confer with Virginia's auth
orized representatives, employ experts,
investigate the whole matter fully and
make public their findings, together
with such recommendation as they
might see proper to submit to the sue
ceeding Legislature. This resolution
was first offered in the Senate by the
writer, after a conference with the late
Senator Whitaker, of Wheeling, who
approved it. No attention was paid it
by the Republican organization, except
to smother it. Later Senator Camp
bell prepared, offered and pressed with
vigor resolution of similar scope and
power, which named the members Of
the committee. After the suit had
been brought, the demurrer of this
State was overruled and it became ap.
parent to every intelligent person that
there was certainty OF a judgment
against us. Governor Dawson, who
was asking the Legislature for another
Appropriation Of $4,000 to employ
counsel, from which appropriation he
was later paid salary of 5000 per
annum), rushed a joint resolution
through obstensibly for the purpose of
doing what the Democrats had propos-
ed before the suit was brought. A care
full examination Of the language of the
resolution made it apparent that this
committee was to be scapegoat. That
it was a scheme tc unload on some
Democrats and near Democrats the re-
sponsibility of any judgment the court