Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-05-06
R0ARD OF TRADE MEMBERS
HOLD ANNUAL LUNCHEON
Senator Chiffon Gives Public Utterance to His Position on
the Virginia Debt Question Congressman brouM
Speaks and Our Clay Products Described
by Mr. Raymond of Ohio

From The World of Friday, April Is.
The third annual luncheon OF tbs
Mnrtinsburg Board Ct Trade was held
aast night in the Y. NJ. c. A. gymna-
siam The luncheon was served by
-zhe Ladies Auxiliary Of the Y. NJ. c.
A. and was beautifully appointed af-
fair. Ten tables extended nearly the
fun length OF the room, while across
the north end was the speakers table,
covers being laid for two-hundred.
The members of the board and invited
guests, including nearly every clergy
man in town, assembled at S:45
o'clock and were assigned to place at
table by card number. so that there
was no confusion. Before taking their
seats the devine blessing was invoked
10y Rev c. s. Trump OF st. Johns Lu-
refreran church. While the guests were
assembling and during the progress of
Hhe luncheon the City Band, Mr. l..
Dew. Gerhardt director, disccursed
some pleasing selections which pro
Soked hearty applause.
One OF the chief enjoyments Of the
luncheon was the presence of an usu-
ally large number of ladies who lent
a grace and charm TO the occasion
The collation. was most excellent and
served nicely and promptly Assist
ing the ladies Of the auxiliary il
pretty young girls arrayed in white
who supplied an added zest to the
viands. Altogether the scene present
ed was OF brilliancy long to be re-
membered.
When cigars were reached Col Stu
art w. Walker, retiring president OF
the Board CT Trade, arose and intro
aduced the incoming president, Mr.. A.
e. Nadenbcusch, whom he announced
would be the POSTMASTER of the even
ing, and most capital one he prev
ed to be. When Mr.. Nadenbousch
arose he was greeted with prolonged
applause. After expressing his pleas
IRE at seeing such brilliant assem-
blage around him on this ausuicious
occasion he gracefully introduced the
FIRST speaker OF the evening, Hon.
William f. Chiffon, OF Charleston one
or West Vrginia's new United States
senators. The appearance of Senator
|Chiltcn was the signal for an outburst
eof appluse. He spoke for about an
ihour on West Virginia's Duty in Leg
'isfature." He is a pleasant and force
STul speaker and his very able speech
was well received. During his address
sSenator Chiffon referred to the Vir-
ginia debt and his utterances on this
question which is giving the people Of
this State much concern at this time
were listened to with marked attel-
stion. or the debt he spoke in par as
follows:
Senator Chiton's Speech.
THE time has come when the peo
gle OF West Virginia are forced TO ccl
slider, in all its lights, the Virginia
debt question. We cannot, il we
would, ignore the fact that the Su
Ereme Court of the U1ted States, the
highest tribunal in this land, has de-
cided, First, that it has jurisdiction tc
determine the matters involved in the
claim OF West Virginia that she owes
nothing; and, Second, that this Court
mas decided that West Virginia owe;
over $1,000 10000, and that this does
not embrace any charge for interest
which item is left for future adjud Ca
rsEion.
The Court, in its opinion, has sug
eested that a conference be held
eetween the two States, and awaiting
Ahis conference, it declined to pass
upon the question Of interest.
This is a question that is bigger
than politics, and it most intimately
Affects every man, woman and child
III the State. Without reckoning in
-aerest, the Courts opinion puts debt
~of about six dollars per capita or
every human being in the State. Il
70 tsRch sum as will put a charg
OF about thirty dollars against the
mead of each and every family in the
State. Therefore. whatever our poll
Tics may be, and whatever may be oUl
opinion as to the justice OF this claim
ror as to how it has been handed by
ssour State officials, we are now con
fr0nted with a question entirely in
dependent OF political consideration
which question is probably the mos
important, from a material standpoint
Thar the State has ever confro1ted. /
may be that political conside tioni
may well be uppermost when it shall
be decided who holds this debt. Polt
zeal considerations may be stron;
when we consider why the suit wa
brought and how the whole question
mas been managed since the formatio,
80 the State, but there is no politics il