Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-29
VIRGINIA ONLY WANTS
JUSTICE IN DEBT CASE
Does Not Wish to See Sister State
Penalized or Prosecuted,
Says Harrison.
ASKS FOR DEFINITE OPINION
Hopes That Supreme Court VIII Fix
Definite Amount of West Virginia's
Indebtedness, So That Controversy
Can BE Closed Up.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch. ]

lSpeClal 10 ne eIlmeS-DiSpatCh.1
WASHINGTON. April 2S.-Judge
Randolph Harrison, OF counsel for vir-
ginia. made n fervid and dramatic plea
to the Supreme Court OF tho United
States late this afternoon to hand down
a decree which will end for all time to
come the debt controversy between
Virginia and West Virginia
He declared that Virginia wants the
controversy settled. and that tho Old
Dominion State. In wishing this done,
does not wish to see It's sister State
penalized or prosecuted. 1t only wants
Justice done. he added, and the people
of his State sincerely hope that when
the court renders It's opinion It will
fix specific amount OF West Virginia's
indebtedness. 80 that the debt con-
troversy can be closed up with salts
faction to all.
Judge Harrison, in the course OF his
argument, showed that Virginia has
paid S5.000.ooo in interest and prin-
cipal OF the old debts. and still has
s24.ooo0o0 of them outstanding upon
which she Is paying interest He
pointed out that the resources OF West
Virginia have increased 500 per cent
since the two States separated. while
Nirginias have increased only 81 per
cent He said that West Virglnia's
taxable values aggregate $1.000.000 900.
while Nirginia's are only S6.O0o,OO
He denied that Virginia has arbitrarily
refused to enter into negotiations to
settle the controversy. but declared
that rs soon rs the State was re-
admitted into the Union she sent com
missioners to West Virginia with Of
fers to arbltrate the question and
settle 1t.
RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION
FOR SHARE OF DEBT
West Virginia is resisting the pay
ment OF interest" he said. IF West
Virginia does not pay this interest. who
should pay It? Certainly Virginia
should not be compelled to pay It.
West Virginia was compelled to recos-
nize her obligation for share OF the
original debt in her State Constitution,
or Congress would never have admitted
her into the Union. Recognition of her
obligation is written in tho Wheeling
declaration. If she recognized her
equitable proportion OF the debt at
that time. is II not right that she
should be willing to pay interest on
that proportion when II Is definitely
fixed?"
Attorney General Lilley made n
strong argument for West Virginia.
In closing he held aloft n map. showing
that the money raised from the sale of
the old bonds was invested In internal
improvements in what is now In Vir-
ginia. Members of tho court inter-
ruptcd him. and asked for copies of
this map. Attorney General Lilly.
proceeding, said:
This map shows you where this
money was spent. 1t was spent In the
old section of tho State. Only n small
portion went to that section of the
state now In West Virginia. In view
OF this. shall this court hold that West
Virginia shall assume responsibility
for n pnrt of this debt and compel her
to pay interest on 1t also?
There never was a time when West
Virginia, standing alone, could have
ascertained her equitable proportion of
the Virginia debt. and had she had the
money to pay II. she could not have
accomplished It for the reason that
she did not know how much It was.
1t was not one-third. or one-halr, or
one-ffth Of the Virginia bonds, but It
was equitable proportion thereof.
which means nothing until the equities
have been examined and tho account
made definite.
ARnITRARILY FIXED
WEST vIRGTNIA's SHARE
What did Virginia do? She arbi-
trarily fixed one-thlrd of the old State
debt. amounting to $4,000. 900, as West
Virginlas share. and refused to treat
for settlement on any other basis.
This meant that all negotiations were
necessarily closed through the arbi-
trary conduct of Virginia until this
suit was instituted. Under such cir
IContinuad on Second Pagal