The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-20
VIRGINIA DEBT:
CONTINUED from FIRST page.)

to have taken in protecting the inter.
ests Of West Virginia. There are sub.
stantial equities which have not been
Court and could not have been reason
ably presented any sooner.
Had we received statement Of
account when the Bennett Commits
sion Of 1871 requested it of the State
of Virginia, there is no question that
this long drawn out litigation would
have been at an end many years ago.
Making immediate provision for
the payment Of the debt as indicated
by the Supreme Courts last opinion,
without discount or further cont:o-
versy by West Virginia involves a
serious question of ways and means.
Il am confident that West Virgin
ians are willing 10 pay when Virginia
and her bondholders Concede 10 West
Virginia the proper credits to which
she is entitled. which includes liquida-
ton Of all joint assets, and proper ap-
portionment in the way of credits.
Any residue or balance West Virginia
owes hereafter she is willing TO as
sumo.
Virginia has unlimited assets in
which West Virginia has an equitable
part, but because of our position West
Virginia has been unable to prosecute
these claims and have them Consid-
cred in the adjustment Of the differ
ences between West Virginia and Eir-
GINA. Although four Virginia gov
errors have discussed these assets in
their messages they have failed TO act.
Willing to Pay.
THE mere suggestion that west
Virginia would be forced to adopt
some extreme measure to protect her
self against injustice is reflection
on Virginia. We must consider that
in the end the amount which West
Virginia should pay will be correctly
ascertained and We can only declare
our oft repeated willingness TO pay.
ITO decline to pay the debt means
repudiation-and this course do not
believe, West Eirginians are willing to
adopt. feel justified that our citi-
zenry will be willing to assume any
equitable or reasonable amount that
their ability TO pay will permit for the
sake of the constitution under which
we live and for the high regard in
which they hold the highest tribunal
in The land regardless of the unfair.
ne@S of tho embarrassing position
which it has always been our states
misfortune TO occupy in the debt con.
trOyerSy.
The neXI step in the controversy
must be taken by the Legislature and
such step should be taken ut the pres
ent session. Two members of the leg
islalure are especially familiar with
the details of the controversy. They
are Septimus Hall, of Wetzel, who
WAS 4 member Of The constitutional
convention Of 1872. aud Senator K. l..
Gregory. who distracted the acts and
resolutions Of the general assembly
of Virginia bearing on the debt from
1922 TO the present time"
Expresses Thanks
The governor in this document eX'
presses thanks and appreciation for
the services and assistance given him
by both delegate Hall and Senator
Gregory, and similar expressions are
contained concerning the assistance
given him and this states commission
by Judge Jno. W. Mason. former me1n-
Der of the commission. Liberal praise
also is given the Supreme Court for
its attitude at all times in connecLiun
with the suit.
He calls attention to the reductions
from the original stipulated amount OF
the so-called debt TO the present
amount, through efforts made during
his administration, which references
are borne out by facts incident TO the
ro,1rt nrOceedinpS