The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-18
DEBT CASE TAKEN
UNDER AMUSEMENT
Argument Concluded by Both
Sides Before United States
Supreme Court.
LILLY AND HARRISON CLOSE
Decision in Favor OF Virginia
Expected Before End OF
Present Session.
Special to Tho Times pispat tch

Especial to Tho Times -pispatch.l
Washington. April IT. Argument IN
the Virginia West Virginia debt case
was concluded by counsel for both
sides to-day before the United states
Supreme Court in th- hearing which
was continued over from Yesterday.
when the court devoted most Of the
day 10 the case. 1t the conclusion
OF the argument shortly before ad-
journment. tn. court took the case uu-
der GdNi*emcnt.
1t is generally believed by able law
ycrs who haN. followed the action
closely that decision will be render
ed in favor az the old Dominion. Or
d"rinc the payment by West Nirsi1ia
OF the S7.coo.uo1 debt together with
from the present session, which is
likely 70 occur about the first week
in june
\, the opening OF to-hay's session.
Auorncy Lilly made the CON
cluding argument for West Virginia.
John " Holt, associate counsel for
West Virginia yesterday.
Taking up the original order OF thu
court that the s5.000000 debt should
bc paid together with such interest as
the two states should agree upon be-
tween their commissioners. ATTORNEY
General Lilly stated that it is a iirm-
ly fixed rule OF universal recognition
that interest is not to be awarded
against state unless its consent has
been manifested by an act OF IL: Leg
islaturr. or by lawful contract Of
It's executive officers. II any interest
should be found To bc due from West
Virginia. he declared. it could not be
FOR a longer time than since March 6.
1911, when the amount due from the
younger State was aScertained by the
Supreme Court for the first time
Delayed in Sorting Shit.
Another reason ascribcd why West
Virginia should not pay interest on the
debt was ttiat Virginia has had il in
her power Tor more Than forty years
To Institute this suit, and ascertain
West VirGinia's equitable proportion OF
her debt but has neglected to do So
and has caused. by her neglect and de-
lay. the time to run upon which she
now seems To charge interest.
In referring to the alleged new evil
dence discovered of credits made to
Virginia. which is urged ts II basis for
an entire r.openinS OF the case. Attor-
ney-ticncral Lilly declared that West
Virginia did noj know at the time Of
the filing of her original answer, OF
the real character OF these assets. nor
the value thereof, consisting OF bonds,
stocks and other securities and prop
crty. If Virginia has applied to her
own purposes, declared Lilly, the
equitable proportion Of West Virginia
in the bonds and other securities. then
Virginia should account for them In
this suit. and let them be used as a,
set-off against the Si,000.O00 debt.
Randolph Harrison. of Lynchburg,
associated for many years as counsel
In the case, made the concluding argu-
ment for Virginia. lie denied that Nir-
giuia had received the credits alleged
by the counsel for West Virginia. in
sinuating that, although the alleged
newly discovered evidence was new TO
the new counsel secured by West Elr-
Binia, the items were old and worth
less both in the eyes Of the old West
Virginia counsel and the members or
the West Virginia commission.
''Morc than eight years this suit has
been pending, and not until now has
this alleged new evidence been discov-
ered," said Mr.. Harrison. "From tho
commencement OF this suit. tho defend
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