The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-20
HATFIELD PUTS VIRGINIA DEBT
UP TO MEMBERS Of LEC|SLAT URE.
IN SPECIAL MESSAGE
SENT TO THAT BODY
Suggests State Petition Su-
preme Court for Rehearing
Many Credits Due.

CHARLESTON, ". Va, Jan. 19.-
Favoring the payment Of the Virginia
debt only so far as a settlement can
be made on an equitable basis, arrived
at through fairness, Governor H. D.
Hatfield. in special message to the
legislature. expresses the hope that
some suggestion will be forthcoming
At the present session that will result
in protection Of the interests OF the
State and bring about the considera-
ton OF further equities which West
Virginia, he says, is entitled to re-
ceive.
1T Is no use to warn the people OF
West Virginia against any spirit OF
opposition or rebellion to constituted
authority in this connection. This
State is In the Union to stay, and Will
patriotically live up to every ob1ga'
ton demanded by constitutional au-
thority," says the governor.
This message deals with the history
OF the debt litigation since its tncep-
tion. Going back as far as 1892, 1t
contains recital Of the business &C,
tivities of the Old Dominion which LED
up to the obligation which Is called
the Virginia debt, the original amount
Of which claimed by the mother State
was; arrived at. according to this re
cital by the governor. without TINS
State having any voice in the proceed
ing by which the State OF virginia
Saddled onto West Virginia one-thlro
Of its own Indebtedness.
Considerable space is used IN thr
document 10 the proceedings oi the
National Congress with relation 10 a
bill introduced by Senator W. E. Chi!
ton, with reference to claim OF Olo
Virginia against the Federal govern
ment, growing out of the cessloa Of
the northwest territory The claim set
up in this bill is that Eirginia's share
from this proceeding would be SILL.
$4,000 in which West Virginia wouio
share in the same ratio that she IS
compelled TO contribute to the llqulda
tions of the public debt of the mother
State.
Requests Rehearins.
~ earnestly recommend 10 the leSis
lature,' says tine governor. shat We
present a petition to the Supreme
Court Of the. United States Tor re
hearing of the matter of interest IN
the debt suit. and ask that a memo
rial be adopted at this session, askin2
the Congressmen from West Virginia
to assist in expediting the passage oi
Senator Chilton's bill.
Provision should also be made for
having presented to the supreme
Court OF the United States the con
1tentions of West Virginia why the
State Of Virginia should be restrain
ed from pressing her claim. until the
State Of Virginia sues in the court. OF
claims for the purpose Of recovering
her claim growing out of the cesslon
Of the Northwest territory anu there
bv reduce the joint assets OF the TWO
states TO common fund which Will
place these states in a position 10 re,
ceive their proportionate credits ana
end further litigation.
. There are no funds out or Wnlcn
payment Of the judgment. against
West could be paid. and direct levy
would be onerouS. II permlsslole'
which is not the case. Therefore We
have but one course left to pursue-.a
bond issue is the only method lett,
and the question has been raised
whether such bond issue is permlss'-
bic under our constitution of lSI .
Question For Legislature
This is not a question for me TO
decide, but for the legislature, the
members of which are fresh from the
people and know the sentiment OF the
people on the question. 1t is the duty
of the legislature to leave with the
Virginia Debt Commission and the le'
gal department Of the state, Speclt:c
instructions as TO the steps 1t desires
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