Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-09-03
neferred washington News.


interest in West Virginia affairs has been
transferred from Washington, the capital
OF the United States, TO Richmond, the
capital OF the old Southern Contederacy,
and present location of the federal re-
serve bank with which almost all OF west
Virginia will be associated. While Con-
gress has been doing little OF special in
terest to West Virginians, the final hear
ing in the Virginia debt suit has been on
in Richmond. Charles E. Littlefleld,
special master OF the Supreme Court OF
the United States, has heard the testi-
mony of West Virginia regarding the
claims which il has made for credits on
the amount set aside by the court as West
Virginia's pau OF the old State debt. For
nearly two months West Virginia has had
about a dozen accountants going over
the books and the result OF their invest-
cations has been presented as testimony
before the master, in support OF West
Virginia's contention that the amount OF
the debt, for which West Virginia has
been found to be liable. should he re-
duced by at least 5000, 900, because OF
assets owned by Virginia at the time OF
the separation OF the States, for which
West Virginia has received no credit.
The testimony OF the witnesses Tor West
Virginia shows that West Virginia's por-
ton of the debt, as already fixed, should
be cut down by about 50, ,0O0,O 900 and that
the amount due by the State should not
exceed 100000. Counsel for Virginia,
finding that West Virginia was about 10
prove its contention as TO credits, under
took to have the value OF these credits
ascertained as OF June 20, 1868, the date
OF the admission OF West Virginia TO the
union, rather than OF Jan. |, 1861, the
date already fixed by the Supreme Court
for ascertalning the State debt. Stocks
which had enormous values in 1861 had
deprecated by June 1863 till many OF
them had no value al all, and Virginia is
taking this method OF having The credits
cut down. Master Littlefield announced
that he would take testimony as to the
value on both dates and determine later
which 10 recommend, or make an alter
native report, leaving the date Tor the
Court TO fix.
The campaign OF 1914 will soon open
in West Virginia. The nominations are
all made and the candidates are known.
Democratic, Republican and Progress
sives are getting in shape for the fray and
from now till the third day of November
the State is expected 10 be battle ground
for the three political parties. Theodore
Roosevelt, the founder OF the Progressive
party, and its guiding spirit, has promised
to make a speaking campaign in West
Virginia in behalf of The Progressive can
didates there. 1t is believed that he will
speak in half dozen Of the more i'm
portant cities OF the State. Plans OF CAM
paign for the Democrats have not been
made or at least, have not been announced,
further than that Congressman Nicely has
again selected his partner, Henry Lively,
OF Fairmont, for chairman OF his con-
gressional committee, with headquarters
at Fairmont, while Congressman Brown
has been authorized to select the chair
man of the second district Democratic
committee, but has not done so yet. II
is expected that all the machinery will
soon be started for the campaign and
that it will be kept up vigorously till
election day.
Both Democrats from West Virginia in
the House Of Representatives have been
remaining steadily in attendance upon the
House. The situation, brought about by
the European war situation, is such that
it is considered impossible for Congress
10 adjourn. Many members OF the House
have left for their homes 10 get into their
campaigns, but Congressman Nicely and
Brown have remained here, and expect
10 remain so long as Congress remains,
and that probably means that they will
not be able 10 make much Of campaign
this fall.
The search for West Virginians who
have been travelling in Europe is being
continued by the State Department, act
ing through the consular and diplomatic
service. A good many persons from the
State have been abroad and many OF them
have not been heard from since the war
started. The State Department is trying
10 locate all Americans for when request
has been made for information and no
pains have been spared by the govern
ment in its efforts to locate the friends OF
persons on this side the ocean. who
make requests for assistance in locating
and assisting their friends abroad.
A lumberman having awakened on a
Sunday morning in "dY town" after
big spree of the night before searched his
pockets in vain. Being very thirsty he
remembered stumbling over pump in
the alley back Of the hotel.
He hastened 10 the pump and began
pumping, but withoutresults, as The pump
a