The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-04
STATE DEBT ISSUE
IN WEST VIRGINIA
People Ask Candidates What
They Propose to Do About
Payment.
LEGISLATURE WILL DECIDE
Settlement With Virginia Promi-
nent Feature in State
Campaign.

Settlement OF the $1,000. 900. which
tho Supreme Court Of the United
states has decided is due the Com
monwealth OF Virginia from the
state OF West Virginia. is cutting no
little figure In the campaign in the
debtor state Candidates for Office.
state and local are forced TO meet
all sorts OF questions on this Issue.
and meet them or dodge them as con
science or interest may dictate
Both tho Republican and Democratic
parties side-steppcd tho issue in their
state conventions. when candidates
we're nominated for Governor and all
state Offices And so FAR as posi- bic.
the men who arc running for the
Legislature are trying 10 do the same
thlne. But the people Will not stand
for It All along the line they want
to know what tho candidate will do
about the settlement OF this question.
which must be faced
Must Make settlement.
It is fully realized that tho Leg.s-
laturs. which meets al Charleston In
January, must deal with the mat
ter, and that there f. no escape Al
ter years OF toilsome litigation the
Supreme Court decided that nearly 81.
100000 was due to Virginia on an
equitable adjustment OF tho ante
wealth. no part Of which was assumed
by West Virginia, and which shc has
steadily and at times disdatnfuliy re-
pudleted through all the years From
time to time Virginia made ovcrtures
FOX comproinise, which was denied.
Usually when tho West Virginia Leg
islature convened, there was rush
70 500 VINO could get hrst 90 tho
cietk's desk with resolution declar-
ing that West Virginia owed Virginia
nothing. thus gaining tor its proposer
some notoriety TIE PEOPLE were led
10 believe that West Virginia would
win IN tho courts. and largo Sums OF
money We're put Up for counsel fees
and court costs
Therefore. it came as shock. when
the Supreme Court OF the United
states said that West Virginia owed
the debt The court also suggested
that the settlement o.. interest should
be let, - further compromise and so
held open the Issuance az final 1u5s
nent 10 allow for such an outcome
o,erturcs Disreearded.
The Virginia Debt Commission -
once made overrures - West Virginia
and sent two % rs members Judge v.
Raea and IL II. Downing 70 Charles
ton 20 soc Governor Cilasscock He re-
ceived the message, bu' aid not urs-o
the Legislatlre, which mot In special
session early last year. 70 take the mat
Ter mp
Feeilng that this was slight VIZ
/ sinia asked the Supreme Courr for
/ Judgment. which was. however. refused.
/ thee curt holding that further thine
should be given West Virginia ar reg
ular session O: her Legislature This
VIII come carly next year
So II is that tho people want 70
know what the candidates think about
T. Some OF Them say boldly that tn
debt must be paid and that there Is
nothing TO be gained by hiding tie
States head ~ the SAND. They pro-
pose 70 have commission 10 treat
with virginia. IN ordc- TO ger the best
terms available on interes; ana nrr
oipal Others Pretend 20 want 10 rrat
inrtAer by gcttlng a rchearine aud oy
oontinunng the ARRAY To the Suprlne
Court SO that its special master snail
also determine the matter OF interest.
SIN others-thc greatest number per
haps-aoege the issue by saying that
1t VIII be a matter FOR tic Legislature
10 consider and decide in the lightof All
the facts at the time
good many citizens are irsistent
that West Virginia shall not be put n
the position OF repudiatine debt
which thee our;s have dec..ed size
owes There seems to bee no PARTICULAR
distinction on party Inns on tbs Issue
large part of the nroced4, will so
TO certificate holders. but in any cver-
there viii be substantial Receivers.
Tor the state OF Virginia as ouch