The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-04-11
Virginia Debt Compromise
Proposed by Senator Chiffon
RESULT OF AGREEMENT
WITH VIRGINIA SENATORS
Seek to Make U. S. Pay Colonies
s100,0O0,00O for Northwest
Territory.
Bill Gives Power to Court of
Claims to Determine Fair
ness of Demand.
BY Z. II. ARHoLn.
Intsnieea.cer Bureau
WA8ntnU-t0n n n Ax.xSr N

Warrington, d. O., April 10.
After half century OF dispute be-
tween West Virginia and Virginia,
a compromise has been affected in the
Virginia debt controversy. If congress
and the court of claims Will allow
these two states to utilize the remedy
their representatives in congress have
perfected.
Senator Chiffon introduced in the
senate this evening, on behalf OF the
States of West Virginia and Virginia,
a bill, the ultimate purpose OF which
is to provide a settlement OF the Nir-
ginia debt controversy.
The bill involves the expenditure o,
sum OF money approximating a hun.
dred million dollars. and has for its
object TO give jurisdiction to the court
OF claims TO hear and determine the
claim of any and all OF the original Is
states under the ceding by the state
OF Virginia in 1884 of the vast domain
west of Ohio river. known as the
Northwest territory.
Senators Urge Bill.
Senators Chiffon and Swanson ad.
dressed the senate in advocacy OF the
bill. Both spoke of the fact that Vir-
ginia had ceded this territory TO the
government that the union might pre-
vail. and consequently Virginia's un.
selfish act had enabled us to maintain
the independence that we had so re-
Gently won.
w. Va, Would Share.
The West Virginia Senator declared
Virginia did not give the territory
outright to the elder government,
but transferred title to the federal
government to hold IL as trustee for
the benefit OF all the thirteen original
states. As West Virginia and Ken
lucky were then a part OF Virginia
and were not within the decided ter
rtory, he asserted these states had a
right To share in Nirginia's portion
ohio. Indiana. Illinois. Michigan and
Wisconsin were carved out Of the ter
ritory
The deed Of secession was referred to
as showing that the ceded land was 10
be considered as a common fund for
the use and benefit OF such OF the
United states as have become or shall
become members OF the Confederation
or Federal Alliance Of the States. Vir-
ginia inclusive" Senator Chiffon eN-
planned that the reference to future
members was made so as 10 permit
Maryland. then outside the Federation
to participate in the benefits
At this time when litigation il pend
ing as 20 whether West virginia shall
share Nirginia's old state debt. Sena-
tor thilton declared 10 was opportune
Tor the federal government to make
settlement with the thirteen original
states
II ever In their history Virginia
and West Virginia needed their part
or this trust 10 IS now" said ne. BY
the cession. Virginia made the Federal
compact possible u is nothing but
right and Justice that the two states Of
virginia and West Virginia should
now ask the federal government for a
settlement u the trust property COM
mitted 10 It's hands"
Senator swanson followed with a
similar address urging favorable con.
sideratiOn Of the measure and char
acterizing IL as an idal solution OF YIr.
ginia debt problem.
In event Of congress passing tho
measure and as sequence. judgments
would be allowed BY the court of
claims favorable 10 Virginia and West
virginia. the money would 20 toward
payment OF the bonded indebtedness.
The Bill oHered.
The bill vas as follows.
To provide for the bringing Of suits
against the United states by virginia
West virginia. Kentucky. Delaware
Pennsy lvania. New Jersey. Georgia
ConnecticW. Massachusetts. MARY
land. South Carolina. New Hampshire
New York. SOrfh Carolina and Rhode
Island
Section !. That Jurisdiction is hero
by conferred upon the court Of claims
20 hear and determine 40 herein pro
vided. the joint or several claims of
the states of Virginia. Wfsl Virginia.
Kentucky. Delaware. PennsyIvania
New Jersey. Georgia. Connecticut
Massachusetts. Maryland. soutb CARO-
Ina. Ncw Hampshire. Nrw York
North Carolina and Rhode island
against the United States arising ort
of tho grant and cession by the state
or Virginia unto the. United states
made March !. 119f. Of tho tract oil
country then within the then limit.
fConffuusf an yTfrfh ~.