Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-23
WEST VIRGINIA LI:GISI.ATuHE
WILL ADJOURN TO-MpRkON

Tho West Virginia Legislature will
ADJOURN Tomorrow. but Il special scs-
sion VIII be called by Governor Elec,
torn"cll shortly after his inaugura-
ton, on March - in order tnat action
may be taken on the Suprc me Courts
decision on the petition for writ OF
mandamus. fhc court will hand down
It's decision on March j.
inc copies Of notice Of rule were
served on "A majority Of the members
OF the Legislature Yesterday afternoon.
aud the other members will receive
theirs to-day and tomorrow. sheriff
Mercer and his associates received
heipful cooperation at the hands OF
E"vernor Hatfield. TO whom thcy had
a letter or Introduction from Cover
nor stuart and from the president OF
the senate and the speaker of tho
House Of Delegates
Attorney y-Gencral Pollard. in his nc
'ition 10 the Supreme Court. asked that
the court issue rule to the prcs
ident Of the Wcs, Virginia senate Tho
speaker OF tho iious. and each mem
Der OF tne Legislature. under ,hic,, tL.
Legislature would be required a, this
session TO assess and lcvy :, tax upou
the property within the state OF West
virginia sufficient 10 provide for the
payment of the Judgment Of sla.Ss2.-
$3.50. with interest from July /, 1915.
until paid. al the rate OF per cent
per annum and costs
In lieu OF this mode OF paymcnt Mr.
foilard would have ;hc Lcgislature
make provision for its payment hy
duly authorized bond issue. the pro-
cceds OF which shall bc sufficient 10
pay the judsmcn, in full in cash.
HATFIEID's MESSAGE
SUGGESTS DELAY
Governor Hatfield sent TO tho L..cis-
iaturc a little over 81 month ago a mes
sage. III which nc recommended that
provision should he made also nv the
legislature for having presented to tho
supreme Court OF the Uuitcd States til.
contentious OF West Virginia as TO why
Virginia should he restrained from
pressing her claim against West vir-
gin'a further until Virginia sues in
the Court OF Claims for the purpose Of
recovering her claim growing out Of
INC ceSSion Of the Northwest Territory.
ana thereby reducing the joint assets
oil the two States to a common fund.
which Will place the States in a posi-
tion to receive their propor,ionatc
credits and to end further litigation"
Mr. Pollard. atcr quoting this cx-
ccrpt from Governor Hatiicld's mes
sage. told tho court that ii, is not tho
Intention of the authorities OF West
Virginia to take any steps by lcgiSla-
ton or otherwise to make provision for
INC payment of the said Judgment and
decree. but that il is tho intention to
delay making provision for such pay
iheht under the prcteXis set forth in
the letter from the Governor of West
virginia. dated January 9. 1917. and
In the special message submitted To
the Legislature. until it will be too late
Tor the Legislature OF West Virginia,
now assembled. to take any action in
the premises"
This doubt now. however. sccrIs TO
he ciearcd up by the arHv cd ,utcn; :o,i
OF tho incoming Governor - call a
special session Of the Legislature to
take such action as NAV he necessary
following tho decision of the supreme
Court IN the matter of Mr.. Pollards pc
tition for writ Of mandamus.