West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-01-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
CFrom Geo. w. summers)

NhoAiiNO OANs jan IO.-flTmly
believing I'm the right OF West Yir-
ginia to sue the United States for its
share OF the proceeds OF sales by the
Federal government OF lands which
formerly were a part of the old
Northwest Territory. and with the in
tention OF pushing his bill to author
lie such a suit, Senator Chiffon has
been pushing his Investigations into
the conditions surrounding the ces-
sion and sale OF these lands. The
Senator believes and hopes TO CON
vince Congress that Virginia has a
right to portion of the proceeds OF
the sales OF these lands which were
coded by Virginia originally to the
Federal government on condition that
the proceeds of any sales of these
lands should be distributed among
the IL original states. He believes
as daughter of Virginia that West
Virginia is entitled to a part of the
proceeds and that this amount would
be sufficient to pay West Virginia's
share OF the Virginia debt. Much new
information has ben gained by Sena-
tor Chiffon in his recent investiga-
tons on this subjec. and he is Of the
opinion that some new and favorable
developments will be disclosed I'm a
few days, which will considerably
strengthen his position that West
Virginia may profit from this situa-
ton. He is not trying to get the Fed
eral government to pay West Vir-
ginia's part OF the old state debt, but
is trying to have the Federal govern
ment pay to West Virginia what it
owes, in the belief that this will be
enough to pay off the state debt
+
The Shackelford good roads bill has
been under consideration in the House
for several days. II provides an APP
preparation sufficient to guarantee
that the United States will duplicate
any amount spent by state or minor
civil division of state in the con-
struction of permanent good roads or
post routes. The West Virginia DEM
ocrats in the House are supporters
OF the measure and Congressman
Brown is contemplating making
speech in favor OF its passage. The
passage of the bill would give a great
impetus to road building in West Vir-
ginia and materially assist in the
greatly needed construction OF some
permanent good roads in the state.
+
Rural credits have been the sub
ject of consideration before the House
banking and currency committee re-
Gently. In the absence of Chairman
Glass w. G. Brown, of West Virginia.
has been presiding over the delibera-
tions of the committee as acting
chairman. The rural credits bill
would provide rural credit banks, in
which receipts of the postal savings
system would be deposited, and which
would loan to farmers on farm mort
gage security, as building and loan
associations loan on city property,
taking long time notes in return. The
purpose is to assist the tenant and
poor farmer to own his own farm and
home, paying for it during a long
term of years. Mr.. Brown will try
as member of the committee to have
strong bill reported, preferring even
more far-reaching bill than is now
being considered
+
A dollar a day pension for every
Union soldier of the Civil war who
served and was honorably discharged
is what Congressman Nicely proposes
in bill he introduced few DAYS
ago. The present age and service bill
required one to have served 90 DAYS
to get a pension and to be rs years
old before he gets $50 month. Ma
jor Nicely will try to get a dollar for
every old soldier who served go days
and was honorably discharged.
+
A bill introduced by Senator Golf.
at the instance of persons interested
in the Southern district of West Viz
ginia, would provide an auxiliary
judge for that district OF the United
States court, to assist Judge b. F.
Keller whose health is not sufficient
ly robust to enable him to handle all
the business of his court. Several
similar bills for other districts are
before the Senate and the judiciary
committee of which Senator Chiffon
Is member Information has been
asked of the Department of Justice
as to what federal judges are incom-
petent to perform their judicial duties
and what rights Congress has i'm re-
gard to providing them assistance.
Some action is almost sure to result
that will be beneficial in the southern
district Of West Virginia.
+
Notwithstanding the support that is
said to have been promised By Gov
ernor Hatfield to W. +. Hite. of Hunt-
ington. in his race for the Republican
nomination for Senator. It is believed
here that the Governor will yet an
nounce his own candidacy. It is point
cd out that he would have a better
chance Of nomination with the oppo-
sition TO him divided than n Il were
concentrated on one man. with A. 70
White and w =. Hite in the race.
and with Congressman Howard suth-
erland about 10 enter It, the Cover
norfa obepco, ,,.o,,t5 - ...t t..-