Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-08-19
PLANS FOR ADJUSTMENT,
OR THE PAYMENT OF THE
VIRGINIA DEBT

The Supreme Court of the United
States, has found that West Virginia
owes the holders of the so called
West Virginia certificates, of the
Virginia debt, as it is more familiar
iy known, over $4,000, 900, and now
it is up to the state West Virginia to
devise ways and means to pay the
debt.
There are now three ways, that
have been suggested, as the way in
which West Virginia can pay this
debt, first one, the burden of which
will rest upon the people and that is
by taxation; an other is by appearl-
ing to Congress, to appropriate the
money to pay, the debt because the
creation of the state, was the result
of the needs of the Civil War, and
might justly be classed war Mea-
sure" so that such claim, is just
as proper to be paid by the general
government, as the many War Claims,
that have been paid since the close
of the civil war; then Senator Chill
ton, has a very feasible plan, which
is to have Congress pass a bill, he
now has pending, authorizing the
bringing of a suit, to recover for
| Virginia, that which is due from ce-
ded territory, which was ceded to the
general government, what is known
as the great northwest territory,
from which numerous and prosper
Gus states have been carved; it was
upon the distinct understanding that
the proceeds of the public lands with
in this vast domain should be held in
trust, by the general government for
the benefit of the original thirteen
states.
This agreement has been fully rec
ognized by the Federal government,
and five states have been created out
of this northwest territory, which was
ceded by Virginia, and y that large
trust fund, ought be made accessible
to that state, and West Virginia,
ought and will get her equitable share
of this trust fund, as will each of the
states concerned.
The securing of the money, that
comes out of the coded territory, is
going to take the time necessary to
pass through the courts, while the fill
ing of the plan to bring the matter
through Congress, direct, will take
but short time and can easily be
done at the next session of Congress,
and the debt be paid and the accumu-
lation of a pile of interests be at once
stopped, but the idea embraced in the
Chiffon plan, should be pushed, and
when that is accomplished in the
years to come, the just part of that,
which will be accredited to West Vir-
ginia, can be used to build the roads
! In the state that are so much needed,
so that there should be a united eff
fort on the part Of the Senators and
Congressman from the state, to push
these two plans, which is not poll
tical question, but one in which all
the people of the state should join in
pressing the matters upon their re-
spective Congressman, as it is some
times, important, Senators and Con-
gressmen hear from home, other than
on election occasions, and this is one
of the times, that great burden can
be liften from the people of the state,
by some good management by the
united effort of the Representatives
from the state.
The writer is advised, that Senator
Chiffon will lead the effort in the
Senate, and Representative Moss,
will push the matter to successful
ending in the House.
MINISTER HELD FOR MURDER