The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-01-24
VIRGINIA

] 49, ~ " E. I . 91f a
Confined from page ID
was geferred and the different bases
assumed for reaching these fndings;
ii objects t6Ssome Of the findings OF
the master and approves OF others;
and concludes. that the method by
which the debt of West Virginia is
found tostbe Ss.91O,S6O.2O with in
.terest, is the correct method. Many
pages are devoted to an argument as
to why interest from January /.
1861, should be paid by West Vir-
ginia on its proportion of the DEBT.
Among the points brought out in
the argument of counsel, and stated
as facts, are these: That the bulk
Of the common debt was created by
the votes of members of the legtsla-
ture from counties now in West Vir-
GINA and against the protest of
members from counties now in Vir-
gina; that seven-eighths OF the
dent Of Virginia was represented by
equivalent sums expended on works
Of internal improvement built for
she purpose OF developing West Yir-
gina territory or which are today
parts of railways or other lines OF
communication affording large re-
gions of West Virginia their best ac-
cess to the Atlantic seaDoard.
The suit, according to the brief; sis
brought by Virginia for her own
protection cEd relief; and yet, to the
extent tbs it shall result in her ex-
.oncfc to- Il will inure to beneft OF
the 90 creditors who have de-
posted heir bonds in her keeping.
sae ua!Iy holds today every
'crd h.nh was issued by the
commonwealth prior TO the for
nation of West Virginia, which
is Known to be in existence,
and she also holds more THAN nine
tenths OF the certificates which she
issued to the common creditors OF
the two states, who coniided those
bonds to her keeping"
The increased property valuation
OF West Virginia IS cited as having.
an influential bearing on the plain
tiff,s claim that to determ' ne fairly
the proportion of the burden OF the
common debt which should be borne
by West Virginia, account should be
taken Of the great enhancement Of
values which have come to the terri
tory which the internal improve
fients referred to were designed to
develop and have in, large measure
created. The increase in the aggre4
gate o taxable property OF all kinds
in West Virginia from 1867 to 1908
is shown to have been 643 per cent,
while that in Virginia for the same,
period was "a per cent.
The conclusion of the brief is as,
follows:
st is true that the amount which
West Virginia is thus equitabiy
bound to nay. including the interest
fairly and justly due thereon, Will,
as of this date. aggregate a very
large sum which under any Of the
argument for her generation frolnI
tae payment .of The same.
Fortunately sfoF West Virginia
his Indebtedness, EVEN d the very
!ergest Sums yysiii:.l;it tnaef any OF tlta
alternative state ients n The case
could possibly he found to be due
10y her, should be 1ecreed against
her, would, IN the affluenee which
the record shows she now enjoys,
wealth largely resulting from the
construction OF the very improves
ments upon which the ex1end lures
were middle by virginia in roads.
railroads and bridges and
N the Improvement Of the uayigs-
ion OF her rivers were made I'M
pose upon her a burden easy 10 Sc
Borne and Hghf, as eaia,yared with
what virginia. dttsiaE the pafAod d;
her greatest imsgevenent, his
sumsd ahd CORES