Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-04-18
Our Washington Letter.

West Virginia would share IN distriou-
ton of this amount if Senator Chllton's
bill should pass and the subsequent pro-
ceedings should result. as ne believes
they will. Senator Chilton's bill author
ICES any one OF the thirteen original States.
including West Virginia and Kentucky,
as having been part of the State OF Viz
ginia 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 Ter
ntory." At the time OF the formation OF
the federal government, Virginia owned
more than 100000 acres northwest OF
the Ohio river, embracing the present
States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, WlScon-
sin, and parts of Michigan and Minnesota.
Because of these vast holdings OF the
State OF Virginia, other States were un-
willing to become apart ofthe federation
of States lest Virginia should become too
powerful in the federation. Virginia then
agreed to cede to the United States all its
territory northwest OF the Ohio river. all
proceeds OF the same to be distributed
proportionateIy among the various States
uniting to form the United States. This
was specifically provided in the grant
made by Virginia for this land. But Sem
ator Chiffon asserts that the proceeds OF
the sale of this land has not been distrlo-
uted among the various States ofthe orig
inal Union, but has been used by the
United States as a-Whole. He believes
the thirteen original States have valid
claim against the federal government Tor
the recovery of such sums as have been
received from the sale of this land, which
he estimates will aggregate more than
800, 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 its claim. His bill author
ICES West Virginia or Kentucky, as parts
of the original State of Virginia, to bring
suit the same as one OF the original States.
II is Senator Chilton's opinion that the
claim of the original States against the
United States for this amount will be
found valid and that West Virginia'S por-
ton of such judgment as may be render
ed against the United States will be more
than sufficient 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 Watson, of West
Virginia, and Senators Martin and Swan
son, OF Virginia. Senator Chiffon made
a speech in the Senate in explanation OF
his bill, and the bill was Immediately sent
| TO committee. II is believed the COM
mittee will report favorably upon the bill,
and that as a matter of simple justice TO
the thirteen original States, the Senate
and House will both pass the bill.
While the Roosevelt Republicans are
complaining bitterly OF the use OF federal
patronage in Kentucky, Texas and other
States, in the selection of delegates to
the National Convention favorable to
President TAFT for denomination, the same
system seems to have been adopted in
West Virginia to a considerable extent
without having called forth special con-
demnation from the Roosevelt Republic
cans. The method of controlling West
Virginia appointees seems to be through
granting an appointment and sending the
nomination to the Senate and then hold
ing up the confirmation. M. F. Kiger
was appointed postmaster at Williams
town, Wood county, in place OF Paul H..
Metcalf, on February6. His nomination,
however, has been held up since that
time. On February 26 Claude N. Randall
was appointed postmaster at ShinnSton,
in place of James N. Knox, but this APP
pointment also has been held up at the
request of the chairman OF the Republican
State Committee. On December 10, 1911 q,
Robert B. Watson was appointed post
master at Cameron to succeed himself,
but this nomination has also been held
up, and none of the three has been con-
firmed by the Senate. II would seem
that the nomination of these postmasters
has been made as an evidence that they
are to be rewarded for their services, but
that before their appointments are made
permanent they must show their loyalty
to the administration by seeing that their
communities select delegates to the State
Convention favorable to the denomination
OF President Taft.
The case which has been pending for
several years involving the right of West
Virginia to limit the fare for transporta-
ton OF passengers within the State to
two certs mile was argued and submit
ted to the Supreme Court of the United
States last week. The Chesapeake &
Ohio Railway denies the right of West
Virginia to enact such law Attorney
General Conley argued the case for the
State and F. B. Enslow represented the
railway company.
Congressman Brown has been acting as
temporary chairman ofthe Subcommittee OF
the House Committee on Banking and
Currency, which is to conduct an inves-
tigation OF the so called "Money Trust"
Chairman Pujo of the committee, who is
also chairman OF the ub-committee, has
been absent most of the time recently,
and during his absence Congressman
Brown has been selected to act as chair
man of the subcommittee. The exami-
nation of witnesses has not yet been be-
gun, but the committee has made its
preparations for beginning the work very