West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-09-07
The Virginia Debt Decision

\ against West Virginia for between
twelve and thirteen million dollars
| The West Virginians believe that this
judgment-which in the most part rep
resents accrued interest, imposes an
unnecessary and unjust obligation ON
the tax paying interests OF the state
Justice Hughes decision allowed fifty
four years interest. and the people OF
West Virginia claim that this is un-
precedented In n suit between sover-
eiGns, especially since IL appears that
at no time could or would Virginia
have accepted the principal found TO
be due.
Senator William r. Chiffon has de-
monstrated to the people of West Vir-
gtnia that they have a thoroughly rea-
| sonable counter claim. The Senate
has been hard TO convince, but Mr.
Chiffon has finally succeeded in Sc
curing a favorable reports n that body
upon bill authorizing a suit against
the United States by West Virginia. or
any OF the thirteen original states. to
settle the trusts created by the ces-
sion of the northwest territory to the
old Confederation. and which was ac-
cepted by the Continental Congress on
March 1. 1884.
The celebrated action OF Jaundice
versus Jaundice was not more thick
ly covered with the dust OF ages than
the claim resurrected by Senator
Chiffon. The Senator is a resourceful
lawyer. and after he had made some
thing like forty or fifty speeches, he
succeeded in convincing his colleagues
on the judiciary committee of the up
per house OF Congress that It was Just
as fair for the United States TO make
its settlement with West Virginia as
for the state OF West Virginia to re-
imburse its mother state for the big
debt which has been saddled upon IL
by the decision written by Justice
Hughes.
Virginia furnished the federal gov
ernment 170.00O,OO0 acres of land TO
help the latter start I'm business The
territory thus relinquished extended
out into Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, Wis
consin. Michigan and Minnesota. The
government has never compensated
Virginia for its part in the making of
our glorious land OF the brave and
the free" Senator Chiffon has prov
en- this The United States has been
divided and re-divided into different
sections and groups. Out OF one OF
these divisions came the claim OF the
state of Virginia against the state of
West Virginia.
Senator Chiffon, in securing a favor
able report upon his bill. has gained
recognition for his contention that age
or antiquity does not lessen the re-
sponsibility OF the government to-
wards just obligation. The Judi
ciary committee has agreed with him
that an Indebtedness that is 1870 or
more years old. still remains one that
should be paid. In this same respect
''N 'abhN ~ uot tit NOuIt VI NldIUlb
has already been given to the Indian
tribes, corporations and individuals.
West Virginia's share i'm the claim IL
has against the United States is suf-
cient to discharge its debt to Virginia.
Senator Chiffon occupies one of the
first places on the judiciary commit
tea position OF great value TO his
statci n the present circumstances.
No new member could get on this
committee. and his defeat would be
surrender OF an important advantage
for his state.
He is one Of the members OF the up
per body who is always on the Job,
and his industry and faithfulness to
duty. is evidenced by the appreciation
of his colleagues. who have been CON
yinced perhaps against their inclina-
tions, but because OF persistent APP
peal TO reason that the ancient obliga-
tions OF Uncle Sam should be dis
charged. II for no other reason than
TO let West Virginia out OF the hole II
has gotten into on account Of the
judgment obtained against It by vir-
ginia.