The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-26
PLAN S SOLUTION
OF DEBT QUESTION
West Virginia Public Opinion
Now Demanding
Conference.
THINK IT WILL PAY BEST
Writers Warn People That They
Had Best Prepare for Day
Of Judgment.

u seems that at last scrne repre-
sentative West Eirginians have begun
( to seriously consider the suggestions
OF The Supreme Court of the United
states with reference to a settlement
oil the state debt by agreement Citi-
! zens and newspapers now advocate. Il 3
though new idea, what has boon at
tempted by virginia ever since the
court rendered its decision last Aprll
"a conference between representatives
OF the States looking to the adjustment
of the amount Of interest and the date
ana manner Of payment of the whole.
a writer whose opinions have re-
ceiNcd /; good deal OF attention from
| the press. calls the situation acute,
and GAYS it ought TO set West Vir-
sinians to serious thinking.
Cunt Afford TO Ncpudintc.
1t Is idle to speculate" he says,
upon what the Supreme Court can or
cannot do. to enforce any decree II
| may enter. if any. against West vir-
SiIia. a sovereign State. It should be
remembered that in dicposing OF the
| demurrer the court in substance stat
cd that the suit was not to be dealt
with as an ordinary suit between per-
sonai litigants. II this be true, It
may be of little credit to West V!r-
GINA, ever admitting the legal inabil-
ity OF the court az in ordinary cases,
TO enforce It's decree. to have herself
held up to public gaze as contempt
uous litigant and rcpudlat!onist"
Should West Virginia refuse TO heed
| Judgment. this writer thinks 1t not
! impossible that the court would there
after refuse to hear the state as a
| iitiSant In any case. or might, under
! section of Article ". of the Consti-
| tuition refuse TO guarantee TO West
virginia "a republican form of gov
| ernmeHt." In this event he argues.
| thero would be little TO complain OF.
| 1t Is proposed that the State Board
! Of Public Works authorize the crea-
| ton OF West Virginia debt commits
| sion. to consist of three representa-
/, tive Republicans and three representa-
tive Democrats. With the Governor and
the Attorney General, this commission
TO confer with the Attorney General
aud tho debt commission of Virginia,
and with them formulate decree TO
be cntcrd 10y consnt in tic Supreme
+ Court OF the United states.
(! Comply with Decision.
newspaper Of IVES, Virginia, Would
be q comnliance with the express
I wishes Of tho Judges OF the Supreme
( Court. IL would indicate disposi-
ton on tho part OF West Virginia Ia
: rcft representatives, or the mother
/ SsatG fairly. and II would no doub;
Terms possible. AS Mr.. Woods says
II must come to this In the end
II not worse. The action of such q
4 commission would not be final; its
work would be reviewed by the Leg.
stature OF 1919, as the approval OF
tnat body would be necessary to give
binding effect to any bargain niadc
BY representatives of tho two States
Sut would give the Legislature
| somcthing tangible upon which 10
| work. some definite plan OF settlement
| which would be much more satisfac.
| tory than undertaking to reach u com.
| promise with Virginia during the ses.
| sion or tho Legislature. The latter
course might involve another extra
session for the purpose of approving
me acts OF .. commission created n;
the regular session"
III the communication referred to the
/! writer concludes: Lot no man s,,u
i pose that inaction Will tranafer re.
SPonsibi!itE, or avert Justice When tho
ioad falisp IT Will fall on all alike. Let
arc upon U.S.