Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-11-04
VIRGINIA DEBT CASE is
DISCUSSED IN ABLE MANNER
Governor Urged to Prompt Action
Points Out tie Runcus Efforts
Of Do Nothing Policy.

WEDt Cast
West virg MAS light and cavalier
treatment of the Virginia debt ques-
ton is well nigh inexplicable. Over
seven months ago no less a tribunal
THAN the supreme court OF the United
States adjudged the principal Of the
Gebt due from West Virginia to the
mother state to be s7,1S2 ,507. To say
that this is not judgment Is mere
idle self deception The fndilg of
the z. s. supreme court entered of
record after years of costly litigation
and diligent inquiry, transforms this
claim into the character of a debt
beyond all further dispute or contea,
ton. West Virginia has lost at every
point of the controversy. Out of abun-
dance Of patience and precaution to
get forward amity between the states
the supreme court reserved its deci-
SION as to the interest and urged a
conference between the ltigants for
the purpose of effecting a friendly
adjustment out OF court of the ques-
ton OF interest. advising mutual for
bearance and expressing reliance
upon the honor and constitutional OBJ
legations Of the states concerned"
Coming from this great jud cial tribu-
nal nothing could have been more inn
pressive.
Now In view OF the fact that the
interest on this debt will, according
to the usual methods of computation
exceed $21 900, 900, it would seem that
West Virginia would have been quick
10 act on the courts recommendation
and seek a compromise by conference
with Virginia. But instead not sin
gle step has been taken IN this direc-
ton. On the contrary the overtures
Of Virginia made in compliance with
the courts suggestion, have been e
j eted. 1t is not strange, therefore
that Virginia by her attorneys. is now
moving the supreme court to proceed
with the case. ascertain the interest
and enter a final judgment against
this state for principal and interest,
'Hh;ch, in all human probability. means
the saddling Of a debt on West Vir-
ginia of $2S, 900, 900 or more.
Surely West Virginians do not real
DE the magnitude OF the disaster
which threatens them and their state.
What answer can be made when
the court asks whether West Virginia
has complied with the courts recon-
Iaendations? Has West Virginia
sought conference with the view of
adjusting or compromising the inter.
est? No. Has Virginia sought such
2 conference? Yes, she sent her at
torneys to Charleston to confer with
the governor and other authorities of
this state last spring. Has there been
session of the w. Va. legislature
since the finding OF the court? Yes.
a special session. Was any action
taken by that body in omrliance with
the courts advice? No. the governor
failed to include the subject in his
call converting the special session.
Has any action been taken by any
commercial or industrial body or any
other organ zaton of citizens OF West
Virginia with the view of carrying in
10 effect the request and admonition
of the court? No.
Here we have disclosed the position
cf West Virginia before the supreme
court of the United States. Could it /
possibly be more unfortunate.
1t is useless to complain now THAT
this vital subject has for years been
made the football of politicians of
both parties. 1t is futile to inveigh
now against the wasting of $3.50. 900
which has been spent by West Vir-
ginia in lawyers fees in this litigation.
The practical question is. what can be F;
done to save the state from the crush
irg debt which a judgment for the
and interest will impose.
OF course there are those who
camor for outright reputation. But
we take it that intelligent and hon
orable and intelligent citizens will
think twice before they become con
tent to adopt that course, even if IT,
were practicable Why should state
have any better right in morals to re-
pGdiate debt duly ascertailed by a
court of justice to which it has APP
realed than an individual? But apart
from that. has the supreme court Of
The United States ever failed TO ca
force its DEGREES? How then can 1t
he assumed that it would be power
less to enforce its decree in this case.
Of which the constitut on expressly
gives it jurisdiction?
And furthermore, consider the eff
feet of reputation, of defiant resis-
lance of the supreme court Of the
United States on the commercial and
business interests of West Virginia
aad the credit OF the state before the
world. Consider the disastrous con