Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-04-30

PEOPLE ARE AVERsE
Arguments in Chronic Controversy
Are Concluded Before United
States Supreme Court.

Washington, April 30--West Fir-
ginia officials who are in Washington
in connection with the argument Of
the Virginia debt case before the
Supreme Court of the United StaleS
express doubt that the voters OF that
State will agree to the payment OF ITS
part of the Old Dominion's ante-bel-
hum State debt in the event the court
finds Judgment for a large sum.
1t is contended by these men that
the Supreme Court has no constitu-
tional authority to enforce the pay
ment of moneys by one State in favor
of another, and any decree it may
hand down would constitute morai
and not a binding obligation upon
West Virginia to pay.
This turn in the unofficial discus,
sion of the debt case, showing the at
titude and temper Of the people OF
West Virginia toward the old debt
controversy, formed an interesting
feature, of the case. No talk along
this line was advanced in the court
room. but the discussion was entire
" in an undertone on the outside.
When one prominent West Virginia
official was asked in regard to it ne
said:
.Of course, ! cannot be quoted;
hut | do not believe the people OF
West Virginia will stand for the pay
nent of large sum in the event the
courts findings are against US. Ihey
NAV agree to the payment OF asmail
{. sum-,
Another official would not answer
the question directly, but he also
said Judgment could not be m
forced against West Virginia.
REPRESENTATIVES of Virginia III the
debt case when asked in regard to
this sentiment among West Virginia
expressed the: opinion that should a
Judgment be found against West V'r-
cinia that State would pay. One Vr-
ginia State official connected with the
i case declared tho Supreme Court al
ways has found means TO lnforce us
DEGREES. He added that should the
court lack necessary machinery TO
compel payment Of such Judgment
Congress- will be asked to provide 1t.
lit is ialso pointed out that there Is
on record only one case where the
Supreme Courts Judgment was de-
fed, and enforced disorder. That case
involved ownership of property in
Missouri. :.Nnother view advanced is!
that the court co,Ad call on. Secretary
Garrison to PLACE the army at Its
disposal so that-it could take pos
session of the tax collecting machi-
',ery of West Virginia and thereby
collect the judgment should such
methods become necessary.
The old debt certificates, the bone
of contention, in the present legal
battle, are mostly held in New York
ard Baltimore. Many of them were
bought for few cents on the d";-
lar. They are now worth 56 cents on
the dollar. A member OF Congress
from West Virginia in explaining re-
Gently the, feeling against paying the
debt said the people of West SVlre1Ma
have been educated in the belief that
the debt is not genuine one.
There is a feeling that the case
will be compromised ultimately by az
agreement between the bondholder'
and West Virginia.
Arguments were concluded yes
terday Former Attorney William A
Anderson closed Virginia's case, ant
Jndpe John H. Holt made the tlna
statement for West Virginia. The!
elaborated upon the arguments Suo
mitted by the counsel during the ew
nreyious days. 1t would not be sur
nrising should the court hand 40"
before il adiournS in Jun