The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-23
NEWS NOTES
From The Nations Capital, Of Interest to
West Virginians.
(BY George w. summers

tIOuuCSu ny SelldIOr CnliCOn ana
favorable action on which is ex-
pected by him. West Virginia
would share in q distribution of
this amount if Senator Chilton's
bill should pass and the subse-
quent proceedings should result,
as he believes they will. Sena-
tor Chilton's bill authorizes any
one of the thirteen original states
including WestVirginia and Ken
lucky, as having been part of
the state of Virginia at the time
of the formation of the United
States, to sue the federal govern
ment In the Court Of Claims for
a portion of the proceeds derived
from the sale of what was known
as the Northwest Territory.
At the time of the formation of
the federal government Virginia
owned more than ITO, 900, 600
acres northwest Of the Ohio Riv-
er, embracing the present states
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wis
consin, and parts Of Michigan
and Minnesota. Because of
these vast holdings Of the state
of Virginia, other states were
unwilling to become part of the
federation Of states lest Virginia
should become too powerful in
the federation. Virginia then
agreed to deed to the United
States all its territory northwest
of the Ohio River, all proceeds
of the same to be distributed pro-
portionately amohg the various
states uniting to form the United
States. This was specifically
provided in the grant made by
Virginia for this land. But,
Senator Chiffon asserts that the
proceeds of the sale Of this land
has not been distributed among
the various states Of the original
union, but has been used b. the
United States as whole. He
believes the thirteen original
states have valid claim against
the federal government for the
recovery Of such sums as have
been received from the sale of
this land which he estimates will
aggregate more than 500, 600, =
900, and his bill provides that the
United States Court of Claims
shall have jurisdiction to try and
determine any suit brought
against the government by one
of the thirteen original states for
a settlement of it's claim. His
bill authorizes West Virginia or
Kentucky, as parts Of the origi-
nal state Of Virginia, to bring
suit the same as one Of the origi-
nal states. 1t is Senator Chill
tons opinion that the original
states against the United States
for this amount will be found
valid and that West Virginia.
portion of such judgment as may
, be rendered against the United
States will be more than sufici-
, ent to pay any portion Of the
Virginia State debt for which
the United States Supreme Court
may hold West Virginia to be
liable. In introducing this bill
Senator Chiffon acted not only
for himself but for Senator Wat
son, Of West Virginia, and Sena.
tors Martin and Swanson, OF Vir.
, ginia. Senator Chiffon made 9
, speech in the Senate in expIana
ton of his bill and the bill was
: Immediately sent to a committee
, 1t is believed the committee will
' report favorably upon the bill
= and that as a matter of simple
? justice to the thirteen origina
: states, the Senate and House vii
I both pass the bill.
Judge Henry d. Clayton O.
Georgia, Chairman of the Ho us,
+ Judiciary Committee, paid
0 high compliment to Congressman
J.. John w. Davis of West Virginia
G on the floor of the House a few
d days ago. Mr.. Davis is one O
t the most active members of tn
d judiciary Committee and some O
h the most important work of tina
s Committee has been assigned t
{ him by the Chairman. In speak
n ing of a matter which Chairman