The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-19
BUT ONE DISSENTING VOTE
ON VIRGINIA DEBT BILL
PARTY LINES CAST ASIDE IN
HOUSE AND MEASURE
Is PASSED.
Delegate Hall, of WetzeL Pays
Tribute TO Gov Hatfield and
Urges Support.
BY w. r. KENSER
(Stan Correspondent.)

CHARLESTON. W. Va. Feb IS
Casting party lines aside for the time
being. Democrats and Republicans
alike united I'm the House of Delegates
today and passed the bill introduced
yesterday. authorizing the appoint
ment OF a new Virginia debt commits
sion which is empowered to defend
this state In the famous Virginia debt
suit. The bill was passed without
amendments, and with only one dis
senting vote. that OF Delegate More
land OF Monongalia county.
The calling up OF the bill on its sec
ond reading was made the occasion OF
an eloquent speech by Delegate Han
OF Wetzel, in which he paid a glowing
tribute TO Governor Hatfield for his
interest in behalf OF West Virginia's
defense.
Making what is declared 20 be the
greatest speech OF his legislative ca
reer OF more than forty years, Mr..
Hall. one of the leaders OF the Demo
cratic side OF the House called upon
his colleagues OF the minority to
unite with the Republicans in passing
the bill.
Lets us forget party difference and
unite as in war against a common
enemy" he said.
Commends Hatfield.
Il wish TO take this occasion to
commend Governor Hatfield. I'm high
est terms for his activity in behalf OF
this state in the Virginia debt case,s
the veteran legislator began. II differ
with our chief executive in many re-
spects. but in this matter I pledge
him my hearty support and call upon
eli members of this House TO support
him.
Il personally know that he mas
stood true to West Virginia and has
done everything he possibly could no
in this case"
Mr.. Hall declared the governor
should be given authority to appoint
a competent and efficient commission
which should be clother with power
to accomplish something. Let us
give our governor power 10 appoint
commissioners who are willing to dig
into the musty and dirty records "a
md the true equities this state Is en-
titled 10 receive" he said.
The Wetzel county delegate de-
clared that the first defense of West
Virginia her proper equity. The pres
ent defense is along the right lirtss,
he added. and he gave Governor H-f-
field much OF the credit for saving -
AAAn NldNF ulblt IMAM three ullllOn
dollars. AS Mr.. Hall declared. 81 was
largely through his efforts that tho
tentative finding of the supreme court
was reduced more than that amount.
Agreed With Governor.
Mr.. Hall agreed with the Governor
that when this State is given her
proper equity IL will be found that
we owe Virginia little, II anything.
81 believe that our fathers were right
when they declared we do not owe
Virginia a cent, basing my opinion
upon personal investigation" Mr..
Hall stated.
The Wetzel delegate praised Pub
lie Accountant r. a. Dover for his
work in unearthing large credits due
West Virginia. and also Attorney J.
n. Holt and Attorney General A. A.
Lilly for handling the legal side OF ths
case.
The bill was called up out OF It's
order by Delegate Duty. who intro
duced the bill. The constitutional
rule requiring a bill to be read on
three separate days was suspended
and the bill was placed upon its pass
age. u probably will pass the Senate
tomorrow.
The bill authorized n committee OF
five members, one OF whom shall be
the Governor, and he r. given authori-
" 20 appoint the four remaining com
mlssioners. no more than two Of
whom shall be from the same polit-
ical party.