Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-09-19
INDICATIONS THAT THE FEEDER.
Al GOVERNMENT WILL
AGREE TO PAY STATES
PORTION.
WEST VIRGINIA MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS HAVE THE MAT
TER WELL IN HAND.
WOULD BE FOLLY TO CHANGE
REPRESENTATIVES, WITH
so MUCH AT STAKE.


so MUCH AT STAKE.
There is no public issue Of greater
Importance to the people of West
Z Virginia than that OF the Virginia
debt, and for the first time in the
history of 1.-The State the representa-.
tives Of West Virginia have taken up
in Congress the matter of It's pay
ment with view to providing for its
settlement in some manner other
than by direct payment by the
State of West Virginia.
Senator William e. Chiffon intro
duced bill in the Senate giving
Jurisdiction to the Court of Claims to
adjudicate any suit, which nay be
brought against the United States by
any State interested, to enforce a
claim for its portion of the proceeds
Of the old Northwest Territory
All the territory northwest of the
Ohio river which once belonged to
the State of Virginia was transferred
by Virginia to the United States I'M
der provision that the proceeds of
all sales of land from this grant
should be paid over to the States then
in the Union for their Individual use
and not for the use of the United
States as nation. The proceeds of
these sales, amounting to many mil
lion dollars, have never been distri-
buted among the thirteen original
States and Senator Chiffon believes
these states have a right to sue the
Government for their proportion of
the proceeds of the sale Of this land.
He contemplates in his bill that
West Virginia, as a portional of the
original State of Virginia, shall have
a right to sue for it's share of this
money, and in his speech upon his
bill he explains that any money re-
ceived by West Virginia would be an
onset against this States part of the
Virginia debt. Senator Chiffon made
speech in the Senate in support of
his bill and expects to be heard on it
by the Senate committee on the Judic-
larry at the coming session of Con-
gress.
Federal Government Obligated.
In addition to this bill of Senator
Chiiton's,, Congressman John M.
Hamilton, of the Fourth West Vir-
gtnta District, introduced a resolution
In the House of Representatives pro-
yiding that the United States govern
ment, having been responsible for the
creation Of West Virginia as a war
measure, should pay any part of the
debt of the old State of Virginia for
which West Virginia may be found
liable. Mr. Hamilton made a speech
before the House Judiciary Committee
In support of his resolution and every
Democratic member of the House of
Representa- from West Virginia
has taken an active part in assisting
Mr. Hamilton with his resolution.
The resolution was referred, as is
customary with measures OF special
Importance, to a subcommittee and
q letter which amounts in effect al
most to a favorable report on the
measure has been addressed to Con-
gresSmen Davis, Brown, LittIepage
and Hamilton, the four Democratic
members of the House from West
Virginia. In this letter the sub-com-
mittee explains that until the total
amount for which West Virginia may
be held liable is ascertained it would
not feel justified in reporting in favor
of the assumption of the debt by the
Federal Government. The language
of the letter, however, is such that
the position of the subcommittee is
seen to be clearly in favor of the
resolution.
Folly TO Chance Men Now.
The four Democratic. sConaressnen
from West Virginia-@Mr Familiar
who introduced the resolution and
Messrs Davis. Brown and + ,ittlenapa
who assisted him In bringing it to the
Intention of the subcommittee with
such anccess--are in 4 nosition, To
y,iaf the measure alone IL its adon.
tion nv The naxt4 Congress- ..is tbav are
re.elacted The next House If Ranre.
seI1taffyes Il certain to he .Damo.
s.Eafic. ana If re-elected The Vast Vir-
ainiR & in,lrrassmen will have good
deal 81 siaIauence in It's deiiherations
Ant snnbliean Conpressn,en should
- slsnf lfrorn West virginia To q House
81 RsSresentatiyes with . Denoocratic
ma ibrsify thew wa,,Id bava abo,,t ee . .
rei,cl, chance az getting the daht reso.
lIItian fhrniIab CON sress as 90 thew womid
have Of .nassinp # fbroneb toa Rrit.