The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-01-26

AOre tne united states Supreme Court
within many years.
The debt OF Virginia at the time
West Virginia was organized ls recog-
nized as about $33, 100000 Many more
millions have been added to that sum
as interest. The Commonwealth OF
virginia seeks TO have West Virginia
bear about One-third Of the debt
West Virginia denies her liability for
one cent. To settle the controversy
lt may be necessary for the Supreme
Court to review the expenditures and
receipts OF the State OF Virginia since
ioze and ngure out from that exam
inatton the liabilities
bitterness I'm Contest.
me bitterness of the contest. which
mas oeen manifest for years. was re-
necteo yesterday by the earnestness of
tonnes Conrad. OF Virginia, In open-
ing the argument He was the spokes-
man tor holders OF Sis, 900, 600 worth
OF certificates. representing a part OF
the debt. In the present litigation the
certihcate holders are urging that
West Virginia be required to pay the
oept represented by the certificates.
MT Conrad only had time to lay
oeIore the court part Of the founda-
ton for the contest He took the
court back to the days of 1925. when
virginia inaugurated a system OF con-
structing roads. canals and RAILWAYS
extending from the Atlantic TO the
80 ASiESh. max, ne said, was the
time or the origin OF the public debt
OF virginia as 1t existed in 1851.
The public improvements were he
gun Largely, IL not entirely, for the
development OF the coal and OIL and
minerals and gas that today make the
state OF West Virginia the Wealthiest
state IN the Union," Mr.. Conrad told
the court
Because OF the origin Of the debt
n for no other reason, he argued,
that West Virginia was under a rec
ognized liability to pay her eQuitable
share OF It. 1t was not until a change
came over her-until new dreams
came over her-that she changed her
Constitution and erased from al a rec
ognition of her liability, Mr. Conrad
declared.
Vlrginia's Struggles.
Mr.. Conrad told of Virginia's struR-
giles TO bear the debt, to induce West
virginia TO assume its share, and final
ly to find relief from the burden by
issuing new bonds for two-thirds OF
the debt and giving certificates TO the
old bondholders for the other third.
This was done. with the understand
ing. Mr.. Conrad said. that the State
OF Virginia would be liable for the
remaining third, IL West Virginia did
not pay IL.
The Commonwealth OF Virginia In
1906 began it's action I'm the Supreme
Court 70 have an accounting with
West Virginia.
West Virginia objected to the suit. but
the supreme Court sustained the con-
tentions Of Virginia on this point, and
finally appointed a special master. for
mer Representative Charles r. Little
field. OF Maine. to take testimony and
answer certain questions, evidently
with view of settlement. Mr.. Little
field reported. but both sides took eN-
ceptions TO his report.
11,OOO,O00 In Claimed.
Virginia claims that West Virginia
= m Qt 1aag gf
years ago West Virginia took the posi- =
ton that a settlement would put Vir-
ginia actually in debt to West Virginia
In the sum OF $4,000. West Virginia
now claims that Virginia cannot require
10 pay one-t third of the debt. because
ihe bondholdeTs OF that amount are al
legged TO have freed Virginia in a re-
'nndinE arrangement from any liability
therefor.