The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-01-23
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contentious made b. West Virginia
that she L. entitled 10 credits that
have not heretofore been considered
IN the itlEstion OF Virginia versus
Wet virginia. 10 the amount Of VA
1882 "a
here waE some doubt a. 10
whether the question 81 interest had
been submitted 10 the Master for his
consideration. However. the Master
has decided that n was. and has made
his recommendation 20 the effect
that n began a. Of the date the debt
va fixed. January I. 1861. at = rate
provided for In the bonds that evil
dence the debt He does not compute
the interest that West Virginia owes
for the reason that there g. no amount
from which 20 determine the sum that
has accrued
The original suggestion made BY
the Supreme court was that West Nir.
ginia owed s7.1s2 900 Of the principle
Of the debt The question Of interest
was not decided by that body
The contention has been made by
West Virginia that she did not agree
10 pay any Interest and therefore
owes none This contention II in
keeping with that paragraph in the
constitution OF 1852 that discusses her
assumption Of an equitable part OF the
debt. as well as numerous decisions
that have been rendered by the Su-
preme court In cases similar 90 the
litigation now pending between the
two states.
Much Larger Credit.
While the finding OF the Master re-
duoes the amount suggested by the
Supreme court from S7.lS2.OO TO
Sf.3l4.O00. ! believe that West Nir-
ginia Ia entitled 10 a much larger
credit than this. Virginia has always
had possession OF the assets. She ap-
propriated them TO her own use. She
realized dividends TO an amount in ex-
cess OF $4,000. 900 a. well as had many
millions OF dollars worth OF state
buildings and other valuable state
properties which belonged Jointly to
the two states. wor which West Nir-
ginia has never received any credit.
This would argue against any interest
accruing. The value OF the properties
as OF January l. 1861. as shown by
the annual and other reports which
are apart Of the official records of
Virginia. prove conclusively that
these properties owned by the state
were worth more than Si4.5l1. 1914.
The exhibits prepared by our account
ants showed that these properties had
value as Of January /. 1861. amount
ing 70 S2C OG3 $685.
1T Is indeed hard fo- me 20 see
how west Virginia can owe any por-
tion of this def IL she h given the
benefit of the credits as OF the date
which the Master comedies she should
receive them. These properties were
worth as OF January I. 1861. at least
par. which was S26.O63. S65.54. being
unhampered al that time by the
scourge OF war which soon followed
after that date.
The contention has been made by
our representatives that January !.
1861. was the date from which to fix
the credits as the constitution OF 1862
fixed that date as being the time West
virginia assumed her equitable part
of the debt
The contentious of West Virginia
have been concurred in by the Master
as To this date. and to me this is most
important for determining litigation.
Substantial Victory.
Il think II is substantial victory
for West Virginia and that the con
illusions OF the Master will show to
the Supreme Court of the United
states that the contentious. which
were not concurred in by many OF our
former citizens as TO West virginia s
equity in certain holdings Jointly own
ed by the state before the division.
were unquestiOnable and that the ac-
tons of the present administration
have been indicated.
Prom reports received we are iusti.
ned In stating that the status of the
case following the report OF the Mas
ter Is: first, that West Virginia has
succeeded In reducing the principle OF
her debt In round numbers from
SAO0O.oOO to $4,000. 900. second. not.
withstanding the expression Of the
Master that West Virginia should nav
interest on the principle he makes no
actual finding OF the interest because
ne Is of the opinion that to do so
would be beyond the purview OF the
decree OF reference under which he
acted
Tho report 81 the master contains
more than $50 pages and % h expected
the next few days. The action on tba
master Will bring the question Of inter.
- a. Wei a. the credits and other facts
developed In the recent Investigation To-
tne supreme court once again for final
adjudication and 90 seems 20 no that
our chances for further arhfG,-rr,,..,ts
IN this important litigation are uu!te IN
couraging for the future"
IN discussing the special MASTER re-
poIt Attorney General Lilly. tonight
As J have only seen small extracts
rom Master Littlcfields last rapnrf 4,
regard 20 the Virginia Debt am ny, Il,
position 60 make vnIues on ,ll,,,,, ~
inc war that changed the curraucy ave-
tein end made % almost impossible 10
var became fragrant Tho council a.
VI 4lnia SttcWntod Co have this lived a.
after hNiuE the date. january
Anhlt from which 90 take F.4af We