Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-01-28

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-Charles
E. Littlefeld, Special Master of the
Supreme Court of the United States,
has made his report in the Virginia
debt case, which was referred to him
by the Court for investigation of the
claims made by West Virginia for
reduction of the debt. His report
reduces the amount owed by West
Virginia as found by the Supreme
Court in 1911 from $7,182, 507.46 to
$4,313,667. but adds interest on
this amount from JAM /, 1861, which
would bring the total amount owed
by West Virginia on Jan. /, 1915 up
to $13,631 ,190.31 In reaching the
amount of the debt on January l.,
1861, Mr.. Littlefield considered all
the claims of West Virginia, as pre-
sented to him in the hearing at Rich
mond, Va, during last August. In
fixing the debt of West Virginia at
$7182, 507.46, the Supreme Court had
fixed the total debt of the old State
prior to its division at $50, 1853 1861. So
of which it held West Virginia should
be liable for 23.5 per cent, or $780,
507.46. West Virginia claimed off
sets should be allowed in fixing the
original debt, amounting to $20,810,-
1916, and it was this claim that
Special Master Littlefeld was direct
ed to investigate and make report
upon. In his report, Mr.. Littlefeld
admits that part of these claims are
just and allows them to the amount
of SASH ,945.74. AS West Virginia
was charged with 23.5 per cent of the
debt, it is credited with 23.5 per cent
Of these offsets, amounting to $3,410,-
30725. Mr. Littlefeld found, how
ever, that West Virginia had receiv-
ed from what was known as he re-
stored government of Virginia, at
the time of the division of the State
S541 ,467.76. Deducting this from
West Virginia's portion of the credit
allowed, leaves tt$2,868,839.76, Vest
Virginia's net credit on the original
amount of it's debt, as shown by the
report of the Master. This cuts the
debt down to $4,313,66797. But Mr..
Littlefield proceeds to tack on inter-
est amounting to more than the prin-
cipal. He says in his report: ct is
assets are to be valued as of Jan. /,
1861, and that the liability of West
Virginia for interest begins on that
date by virtue of the contract be-
tween her and West Virginia and
runs at the rate provided for in the
bonds that evidence the debt and
make the interest an inseparable
part thereof" This rate of interest
is understood to be four per cent.
At this rate, the interest on the sum
found due from Jan. 1, 1861, to Jan.
1, 1915, would be $9,317, 522.34, and
would make the total debt on Jan. 1,
1915, amount to $13,631, 1901.
Whether the Court will adopt the re-
port of the special Master cannot be
foretold, but there is no reason to
believe that, without very strong rea-
sons, it would refuse to be guided by
the man it had appointed to investi-
gate the details and report on them.
The Supreme Court may act on the
report at almost any time and bring
the question of payment squarely up
to the legislature of West Virginia
now in session.
In many cases, recently, applicants
tclass have failed to pass the required
examinations, and in some instances
there have been no applicants for the
examination. This has left some va
cancies and civil service examina-
tions to fill them have been called
for February 20. They will be held
at Beckley, Cass, Charleston, Horton,
New Martinsville, Welch and Will
hanson. Vacancies are to be filled
in the eligible lists for postmasters
at Decota, Eckman, Filbert, Glen
alum, Horton, Lester, Pine Grove,
Quinnimont, Raleigh, Spruce and
Switchback.
Because of the inability to get wit
nesses who were wanted, the Inter
postponed the hearing upon the ques-
ton of the ownership and control of
the Little Kanawha Railroad, which
was first set for Jan. 20. Several
of the most important witnesses had
engagements preventing them from
appearing here on that date and it
has now coma over until Soma time