The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-07-27
VIRGINIA DEBT


obligation: and n Judgment bv the
court could not be declared in favor
OF anybody before the court.
II Is no surprise therefore. but IL
Is laughabie. 10 ind the virginia Al.
torneys suggesting the appointment
OF receiver TO obtain the benefits II
any judgment or decree the court
may render
Does the court intend to render a
decree for payment against West Vir.
ginias
II enters its finding OF West Wiz.
gina proportion OF the debt and
then adJourns for the summer
VIII the court ever venture TO on.
Ter an Imperative decree against this
State?
Does not this inquiry therefore. deal
with pertinent and fundamental is
sueF HAS the alleged debt OF West
virginia TO Virginia been ludieially
determined
Finally. we now maintain with in.
creased emphasis and assurance.
what We have heretofore maintained
that this Is a National and not a
mere local question, In which the
Federal Government T. the primary
party. bearing the primary response
bihty. having made the occasion, laid
me basis. furnished the power and
arms 10 create a situation by which
the state OF Virginia could make anv
claim Tor reparation. compensation.
contribution, or Indemnity. and TO lew
that claim II she has any. upon the
territory and people constituting the
state Of West Virginia. which terri
tory and people are the direct fruits
of the conquest by the Federal sol
diery in resisting the rebellion which
virginia had organized against the
National Government That. We re.
peat. was not a contest between tho
states OF Virginia and West Virginia
but between Virginia and the Federal
Government Neither are any OF the
consequences 81 that conquest prom
er basis for any issue between ne
two states. but manlfestlv between
Virginia and the Federal Govern
ment.
And the Federal Government viii
not shirk or refuse 10 meet any re
sponslbl.ity. direct or remote, arisinR
OUT OF the job OF drubbing the rebel.
lion out OF the State OF Virginia A
joint resolution TO the effect follow.
ing. ought to. and we believe would
receive the approval Of the National
Congress.
For Government Inquiry.
WHEREAS IL became necessary. as
one OF the incidents and contingen.
r.
participation Of the State Of Virginia
In that rebellion. to drive the govern
ment Of that State by force and arms
out OF part Of its territory: and as a
war measure 20 preserve and pro
mote the integrity OF the National DO
main. 10 dismember and appropriate
said territory. and organize IL into an
independent State. and receive and
establish Il as a part Of the National
Domain; all Of which was accomplish.
ed by authority. and under protection
Of the military power OF the Federal
Government:
AND WHEREAS. II r. n recognized
principle ~ International law that
when one Power takes over the terri
tory OF another Power. n takes witt
10 all the collateral obligations and
cncumbrances which attach 10 that
territory: and whereas the State of
virginia is making claim for a large
indemnity growing out Of the die
meHberment ~ her territory and lose
OF resources following and growing
out % the action OF the Federal Gov.
eminent AZ aforesaid. and IL seekIns
to levy n large claim IN this behalf
upon The territory and people OF the
said new State.
RESOLVED. that while not conced.
ing or admitting that tho State ~ Vir
Rinia has any claim for PREPARATION
n VII HAAHfANlWINH VT NNNNfmnIIN OF uWU
kind AGAINST the United States m
other source on account o. tho prem
iacs. yet the Federal Government h
willing that n FUN and comprehensive
inquiry be made in this behalf and h.
This end % "a hereby Resolved that n
Commission. consisting 81 three aon
aiors and four members OF The Houee
~ representative. % which The
speaker ~ the House shall be chair
man. b. appointed to inquire into and
thoroughly consider the relation of
The Federal Government % any claims
or demands made by The State % Vir.
F.ria and sought tu be- levied on tho
territory and people Of West VirRinla
I'r reraraiion. compensation. cortrf
button. or indemnity for damages or
losses consequent upon or GROWING
out ~ the action ~ Tho Federal Coz
eminent ln dIswembcriug hor terri
tory and otherwise Fuppresainr tfc
rebellion In said State And ea'f
commission shall report Ifs frfirrs
and recommendation la frr ...lr.-