USA > West Virginia > Myers' history of West Virginia (1915) Volume II > Part 35
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4. That he does not have "power under this reference to determine the balance, if any, that may be due from West
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Virginia, as interest can only accrue on that 'proportion' which is ultimately found to be the balance due from West Virginia to Virginia, there is no sum upon which interest can be computed, and I therefore make in this case no computation of interest."
5. That the value of assets owned and held by the Com- monwealth of Virginia January 1, 1861, was $14,511,945.74, and if 231/2 per cent. of $14,511,945.74, or $3,410,307.25, is to be credited to West Virginia in reduction of her liability upon her proportion of the "public debt." then there should be de- ducted from $3,410,307.25 the sum of $541,467.76, representing money and stocks received by West Virginia from the restored government of Virginia, leaving a net credit to West Virginia of $2,868,839.49.
Governor Hatfield, in his special message to the Legisla- ture, February 5, 1915, on the Virginia debt, in referring to the above report, said, in part :
"Applying the findings of Master Littlefield to the amount of the gross debt apportioned to West Virginia by the su- preme Court of the United States under opinion dated March 6, 1911, and calculating interest from January 1, 1861, to the date the original bonds were redeemable and treating bonds redeemable at the pleasure of the general assembly as bearing interest until finally paid, is the method of computing interest according to the terms of bonds as contended for by Virginia. About one-half of the interest is on bonds redeemable at the pleasure of the general assembly.
"The result is as follows :
Amount of principal of gross debt of Virginia January 1, 1861, apportioned to West Vir-
ginia by the Supreme Court of the United
States under opinion dated March 6, 1911 . . . $7.182,507.16 Less Virginia's assets January 1, 1861, appor-
tioned West Virginia by Special Master in report above. 3,410,307.25
Net amount. $3,772,200 21
"This amount, plus $7,440,236.44 interest calculated to Oc- tober 1, 1914, according to terms of original bonds, by method
.1.50
History of West Virginia
contended by Virginia, gives a total amount of $11,212,430,05. which added to $541,407.76, the amount of cash and value i assets received by West Virginia from the restored govern- ment of Virginia, as found in Master Littlefield's report, shows a grand total of $11,753,904.41 apportioned to West Virginia.
"Even if West Virginia is liable for interest according to the terms of bonds it seems to me a certainty that a bond is- sued prior to 1861 and payable at the pleasure of the general assembly of Virginia would not bear interest against West Virginia when West Virginia had no 'pleasure of retiring he bonds,' or that a bond payable at a fixed date would not bear interest against West Virginia. All the bonds being under the absolute control of Virginia, and West Virginia having no means of knowing whether she owed 'nothing' or 'millions,' West Virginia could not pay an unknown amount and st interest.
"Under the former hearing of the case the amount app. r- - tioned to West Virginia by the Supreme Court of the United States under opinion dated March 6, 1911, was. . $ 7.182,507 46 The amount of interest was left open to be determined.
Calculating interest by the same method as used above in the present finding. the interest would aggregate. 14.174.425.64
Total $21,356,933.10
Plus amount received by West Virginia from Virginia, or the restored government of Vir- ginia, as found by Master in former hearing in report dated March 17, 1910. 671,599.40
Grand total apportioned to West Virginia. . $22.028.532 56 "From the foregoing statement of facts it is readily sen that under the present finding of the Master, reducing the gross debt by applying the assets as an off-set and calculati ig interest by the same method in both instances the amount die from West Virginia has been reduced from $22,028,532.56 to $11.753,904.41. or $10.274.628.15.
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"Does not this one comparison prove conclusively that the claims of Virginia as to the amount due from West Vir- ginia have been unfair and inaccurate, and West Virginia 1 as been unable, at all times, to make settlement, the amount due, if anything, being indefinite and unknown?
"We feel confident that it can be shown to the Supreme Court of the United States that West Virginia has not received in the Master's present findings full credit for the value of the assets January 1, 1861, and that the interest cannot in equity be charged against West Virginia until the actual amount due is determined.
"The case will come on now finally to be heard before the supreme court upon the report of the Master, and, while I deem the ascertainment and allowance by the Master of "ie foregoing credits a great victory for the State of West Vir- ginia, yet there is much work still to be done in connection with this litigation, and there should be some person, com- mission or body vested with full power under the law to prop- erly carry it on and sufficient funds should be appropriated for that purpose."
Acting upon the foregoing recommendation by the Ga- ernor, Delegate M. K. Duty of Ritchie County on February 10, 1915, introduced a bill in the West Virginia Legislature, entitled "House Bill No. 399," creating a new Virginia Debt Commission, defining its powers and duties, and providing for its compensation, and relieving the Virginia Debt Com- mission appointed pursuant to joint resolution of February 21, 1913, from further duty.
The bill, after two amendments, was passed on February 20th, 1915, and reads as follows :
"Whereas, by joint resolution of the senate of West Vir- ginia, the house of delegates concurring therein, adopted Feb- ruary twenty-one, one thousand nine hundred and thirteen, a commission of eleven members known as the "Virginia Debt Commission,' was created, with the powers and duties in said resolution set forth ; and
"Whereas, under and by virtue of the authority of said resolution, eleven representative citizens of the State of West Virginia were appointed by the Governor as members of said
History of West Virginia
commission, who have, with credit to themselves and the State of West Virginia, discharged their duties as members of such commission; but
"Whereas, the said commission heretofore created as aforesaid was not authorized to defend the suit of the Con- monwealth of Virginia against the State of West Virginia. then and now pending in the Supreme Court of the United States, but was only created with the power and authority to negotiate and make recommendations in relation to the c 11- troversy between the two states involved in said suit ; and
"Whereas, the commission heretofore created has in an eminently satisfactory manner performed all the duties de- volving upon it by the resolution of its creation, and made its final report to the legislature, and said suit still pends and re- quires defense ; and
"Whereas, it is deemed expedient to create a new commis- sion of a less and more convenient membership, and with full power not only to do any and everything necessary to the de- fense of said suit, but with the like power to negotiate a settle- ment thereof, if the opportunity should present to do so with advantage and profit to the State of West Virginia and her citizens; now. therefore.
"BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF WEST VIRGINIA:
"Section 1. That a commission of five members, known as the new "Virginia Debt Commission,' be, and the same is here- by created, the members thereof to be selected as follow. : that is to say. the Governor of the State of West Virginia sh:Il be ex-officio a member and the chairman of said commission. and he shall appoint the remaining four commissioners, two of whom shall be selected from the Republican party and two from the Democratic party.
"Sec. 2. Said commission. in conjunction with the attor- ney general. is authorized and directed to defend the case of the Commonwealth of Virginia against the State of West Vir- ginia, now pending in the Supreme Court of the United States. as well as any other litigation that may spring our of said: con- troversy, and is now fully authorized and empowered to do any and everything which in its judgment or discretion ma:
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be deemed necessary or best to that end; and it is likewise authorized, in the event a proper opportunity should present itself, to negotiate a settlement of said controversy, subject. however, to the ratification of the Legislature of the State of West Virginia.
"Sec. 3. . Said commission, with the approval of the Board of Public Works, is empowered to employ attorneys and coun- seilors at law to assist the attorney general of the State in time conduct of said litigation, and to advise and assist the com- mission ; and the fees and expenses of such counsei shall be paid by the State out of moneys appropriated for such pitr- pose
"Sec. 4. A majority of the commission shall have author- ity to act, and is authorized to appoint a secretary from within or without its own membership.
"Sec. 5. The expenses properly incurred by the commis- sion and its individual members, including compensation of said members at the rate of ten dollars per day for the time actually employed (excepting the governor, who shall only receive his expenses), shall be paid by the State out of moneys appropriated for that purpose; and
"Sec. 6. The Virginia Debt Commission heretofore cre- ated by the joint resolution adopted February twenty-one. one thousand nine hundred and thirteen, is hereby abolished. and its members hereby relieved from further duty in that connection.
"Sec. 7. The governor shall have power to fill any vacan- cies that may occur by reason of death, resignation or other- wise in the membership of such commission from time to time, as occasion may require, but in filling such vacancies the go: ernor shall do so from the political party from which the con- missioner whose office becomes vacant was appointed.
"Sec. 8. The governor shall make the appointment of the commissioners as provided in section one hereof and report the same to the present session of the legislature for confirma- tion or rejection.
"Sec. 9. . All acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed."
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History of West Virginia
On Monday, June 14, 1915, the Supreme Court of I've United States, at Washington, D. C., through Judge Hughes, handed down an opinion in the Virginia case, fixing the amount to be paid by West Virginia at $12,393,929, with in- terest at 5% until paid.
As previously stated, the court in 1911 fixed the principal of the debt at $7,182,507.40. In the above decision credits were allowed on that amount to the extent of $2,960,000, leav- ing the principal of the debt $4.215,000. On this amount m- terest is charged from January 1, 1861, at the rate of 4. er cent. up to January 1, 1891, from which time till the present the rate of interest was made 3 per cent., bringing the total amount up to $12,393,929.
The report of the late Charles E. Littlepage, as speci? ! master, was upheld in every particular, except as to Virginia's claim against the United States for Indian lands amounting to $100.000, which was found to be erroneous.
A MOUNTAIN STATE MEDLEY.
[This poem, read by the author on West Virginia Day at the Panama-Pacific Exposition, was written for the occa- sion by request of the State Board of Commissioners .- Fred Paul Grosscup, Chairman.]
"Leave me but a banner to plant upon the mountains of West Augusta, and I will rally around me the men who will lift our bleeding country from the dust, and set her free."- General Washington.
Since through the gates of Western day. The course of empire took its way. And Patriot's word in time of yore Set stamp on West Augusta's shore That marked her Freedom's citadel, Unwavering and impregnable. The sons of that enchanted land Where Alleghany's temples stand Have lived the part. and freely died
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History of West Virginia
That naught of evil might betide The priceless gift through blood bequeathed From forebears, who the sword unsheathed That all the years to come might see That "Mountaineers are always free."
Thou, West Virginia, art the land :- That West Augusta's pillared strand, Where Leader of the patriot band Saw Liberty make her final stand To stem the tyrant's tide ; And on thy stern and rugged slope, With vision clear, he staked his hope, And there foresaw brave freemen cope With deadly foe, and dying, grope Through freedom's door thrown wide.
Sprung from such unsullied line, The sacred memories that are thine, Will be a guiding star, To steady and direct thy course, And keep thee e'er a virile force- A light that shines afar.
On thy mountain sides a race resides, Elsewhere ye may not find, Of sturdy men who till the glen, And strive to lift their kind Through years of trial and self-denial, To heights of heart and mind.
Oh for the pride of the mountain side Where field and garden bloom, Where blood of the best that came in quest Of freedom, or a tomb, With impulse great has carved a state Out of the forest gloom.
History of West Virginia
Then here's to the blood, that quenchless flood. Of strains from over the sea, That blended to found a commonwealth sound, Whose stainless escutcheon shall be- While her mountains stand and guard- the land- - The pride of the noble free.
And Ho! for the State with its columns great. These hardy frontiersmen founded ; Through all the days is thy meed of praise In paeans of ecstasy sounded. By sons that are proud to sing it aloud In songs of affection unbounded.
Thy daughters are fair and winsome rare; No tribute from singer can do them What justice would claim in modesty's name ; So in toast of the wineless, Here's to them : May the fortune be mine-far better than wine- To know them and love them and woo them.
So now for a cheer for the true pioneer. And the state that his sacrifice founded, A commonwealth free, thy mission shall be To live what thy motto has sounded ; No tyrant's rude heel thy bosom shall feel Thy sons are in liberty grounded. -Clyde Beecher Johnson.
CHAPTER XLII.
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE, 1915. Officers.
Hon. E. T. England President
John T. Harris. Clerk
Homer Gray Chief Assistant
Will E. Long Sergeant-at-Arms
Jack Smith Doorkeeper
State Senators.
Name.
Postoffice Address.
Counties Represented.
Oliver S. Marshall, R .... New Cumberland.
Hancock, Brooke,
Ben L. Rosenbloom, R ... Wheeling Ohio.
A. E. McCuskey, D
Pine Grove.
Marshall, Tyler,
W. H. Carter, R
Middlebourne
Wetzel.
Joseph Gray, D
Elizabetlı
Pleasants, Ritchic,
Robert L. Gregory, R.
Parkersburg
Wirt, Wood.
R. A. Blessing, R.
Point Pleasant
Jackson, Mason,
Warren Miller, R.
Ripley
Roane.
R. Dennis Steed, R.
Hamlin
Cabell, Lincoln,
W. P. McAboy, R.
Huntington
Putnamn.
Jas. A. Strother, R ..
Welch
McDowell, Mingo,
Wells Goodykoontz, R.
. Williamson
Wayne, Wyoming.
C. C. Coalter, R
Hinton
Mercer, Monroe,
W. P. Hawley, K.
Blucfield
Raleigh, Summers.
E. T. England, R.
Logan
Boone, Kanawha,
Dr. M. V. Godbey, R
Charleston
Logan.
Dr. James McClung, R.
. Richwood
Clay, Fayette,
Dr. Gory Hogg, D.
Prudence
Greenbrier, Nicholas.
Fred L. Fox, D.
Sutton
E. H. Morton, D
Webster Springs
Braxton, Calhoun,
Gilmer, Pocahontas,
Webster.
John L. Hatfield, D
. Morgantown
Marion, Monongalia,
Scott C. Lowe, D
Fairmont
Taylor.
George E. White, R
Weston
Doddridge, Harrison,
Roy E. Parrish, R.
Clarksburg
Lewis.
History of West Virginia
Name.
N. G. Keim, R
Postoffice Address.
Counties Represented.
Barbour, Pendleton,
Richard E. Talbott, D Philippi Randolph, U'pshur.
A. B. MeCrum, R
Kingwood
Grant, Hardy, Miner-
S. O. Billings, R
Parsons
al, Preston, Tucker.
G. K. Kump, D.
Romney
Berkeley, Hampshire,
Frank Beckwith, D).
Charles Town
Jefferson, Morgan.
21 Republicans; 9 Democrats.
House of Delegates.
Officers
Vernon E. Johnson, Speaker.
Mforgan County
John Guy Prichard, Clerk
Marion County
A. B. Moore, First Assistant
Wetzel County
George W. Otto, Sergeant-at-Arms . Ohio County
A. W. Davis, Doorkeeper Harrison County
Members.
Name.
Post Office. County Represented.
George \1. Kittle, R
Philippi
Barbour
S. S. Cline, R
Bunker Hill
Berkeley
Charles Beard, R
Martinsburg
Berkeley
Lawson Garrison, D
Peytona
Boone
John I. Bender, R
Burnsville
Braxton
James C. Boone, R
Belfont
Braxton
W. W. Pilchard, R
Bethany Brooke
J. L. Blackwood, D
Milton
Cabell
J. S. Shafer, D.
Huntington
. Cabell
C. M. Layne, D).
Huntington
Cabell
Howard Waldo, D
Grantsville
Calhoun
W. R. Bailes, R
Clay
Clay
Ira E. Smith, R
West Union
Doddridge
Dr. C. W. Lemon, Fus
Claremont
Fayette
F. T. Burnham, Fus
Oak Hill.
Fayette
Henry AleGraw, Fus
Ansted
Fayette
C. W. Marsh, D Glenville
Gilmer
G. B. Harman, R. Maysville
. Grant
A. E. Huddleston, D
Sulphur Springs
Greenbrier
J. S. Thurmond, D
Alderson
Greenbrier
R. P. Monroe, D.
Barnes Mill
Hampshire
J. Ness Porter, R.
Newell
Hancock
G. W. MeCauley, D
Moorefield
Hardy
Dr. J. JI. Rinehart, R
Shinnston
Harrison
F. B. Davisson, R
Bridgeport
Harrison
J. L. Wolf, R
Ripley
Jackson
W. H. Kelbaugh, R
Sandyville
Jackson
M. W. Burr, D.
Bardine Jefferson
A. E. Scherr, R.
. Charleston
Kanawha
11: M. Wertz, R
. Charleston
Kanawha
Garfield Barlow, R
Charleston
Kanawha
G. G. Reynolds, R
Elk View
Kanawha
W. J. Sigmond, R
Handley
Kanawha
Etkins
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History of West Virginia
Name.
Post Office. County Represented.
F. F. Bailey, R.
Weston
. Lewis
Jesse Courts, R.
West Hamlin Lincoln
Robert Bland, D
: Logan
Logan
C. L. Shaver, D
Fairmont Marion
Ira Akins, D. . Fairmont Marion
E. O. Murray, D. Mannington Marion
Martin Brown, R
Moundsville Marshall
E. M. Hinerman, R
Moundsville
Marshall
W. D. Curry, R
Point Pleasant.
Mason
S. L. Parsons, R
Beech Hill
Mason
P. T. Lily, R
Bluefield
Mercer
W. B. Honaker, R Matoaka
Mercer
S. N. Moore, R. Keyser
Mineral
James Ireland, R.
Williamson
Mingo
Dr. D. C. Clark, R
Blacksville
Monongalia
J. R. Moreland, D.
Morgantown
Monongalia
John T. Ballard, D
Cloverdale
Monroe
C. E. Harman, R
Keystone
Mc Dowell
W. W. Hughes, R
Welch
Mc Dowell
S. C. Dotson, R.
Richwood
Nicholas
W'm. T. Otto, R
Wheeling
Ohio
H. A. Weiss, R
Wheeling
Ohio
J. A. Bloch, R.
Wheeling
Ohio
Dr. J. T. Allen, R
WVest Liberty. Ohio
G. A. Hiner, D ..
Franklin
Pendleton
J. R. McCollum, R
St. Marys
Pleasants
B. M. Yeager, D
Marlinton
Pocahontas
C. C. Pierce, R.
Kingwood Preston
W. W. Thomas, D
Winfield
Putnam
V. E. Sullivan, R
Raleigh
Raleigh
J. W. Weir, D
Elkins
Randolphı
M. K. Duty, R.
Pennsboro Ritchie
Dr. W. E. Talbott, R
Harrisville
Ritchie
A. M. Hersman, R
Spencer
Roane
M. T. Board, R ..
Reedy
Roane
J. W. Alderson, D.
Bellepoint
Summers
Dr. C. A. Sinsel, R Grafton
G. B. Thompson, R Davis
Tucker
H. W. Smith, R
Middlebourne
Tyler Tyler
L. F. Everhart, R
Buckhannon
Upshur
B. J. Prichard, D
Wayne
Wayne
L. G. Sansom, D
East Lynn Wayne
W. T. Talbott, D.
Webster Springs.
Webster
Septimius Hall, D. New Martinsville
Wetzel
J. M. McKimmie, D Reader
Wetzel
J. A. Davis, R. Elizabeth
Wirt
J. B. Yeager, R Walker
Wood
F. H. Markey, R
Parkersburg Wood
J. A. Smith, R. Belleville Wood
A. J. Mullens, R Mullens
Wyoming
Vernon E. Johnson,
Berkeley Springs Morgan
WV. H. Glover, R.
Terra Alta. Preston
Taylor
A. G. Swiger, R.
Sistersville
55 Republicans; 28 Democrats; 3 Fusion.
CHAPTER XLIII.
CHURCHES IN WEST VIRGINIA.
The history of the carly settlements within the present limits of West Virginia does not indicate that our pioneer foreparents were over-zealous in religious matters as a whole. A large proportion of them, perhaps, had a "leaning" toward some church denomination, but comparatively few were zealous advocates of church extension. Their minds were more occupied in the clearing of fields and protecting their homes from Indian depredations than in spiritual affairs. They found conditions in Western Virginia quite different from those that obtained in Massachusetts on the landing of the Puritans. Instead of a guileless, harmless set of natives of the forest greeting them with childish timidity, they were approached with the savage warwhoop and welcomed by the roar of musketry or the sickening thud of tomahawk and the circling flash of the scalping knife.
It is all well and proper for us to say that under these trying con- ditions the people were in the greater need of spiritual strength. Yet who will say that the untutored Indian had a less claim to divine bless- ings than his white brother? Can a real Christian take arms against his brother? Can a human being-made in the image of his Maker- look up and say, "O Just and Infinite Being, help me to stay my brother who is mine enemy. O Lord, in whose image all humanity was created, thou just and merciful God, help me drive out these Red Men who are opposing our entrance to their hunting grounds. Help, O Lord, to kill them off, and we do faithfully promise Thee that within an hundred years we will annihilate the savage beasts and the forests that now protect them; disembowel and rob mother earth of all her stores of mineral wealth; befoul the air we breathe with poisonous fumes and gases; contaminate the pure running waters with deathly acids that shall utterly exterminate the finny tribe. These things, and more, () Lord, do we ask for the sake of commercialisin and untold religionisms which we call civilization, and we shall ever do Thy bid- ding-so long, of course, as the same shall to us seem expedient for the furtherance of our worldly ambitions and earthly pleasure. Amen." If such were the prayers of our pioneer fathers, they surely have been answered, for all these "blessings" do we possess today.
But these sturdy men were not hypocrites. They soon realized they were "up against it." They had to either back track or fight, and they chose to fight, notwithstanding the fact they were interlopers. They were not, as a whole, averse to the Indians hunting in the coun- try or even to live among them, so long as they were peaceful. But the savages had long since learned that there were some very bad white folks-men who had committed unpardonable wrongs upon their people. This made them suspicious of all the whites, and in time the latter were regarded as their natural enemy. So, when the Caucasians began to pour into what the Indians regarded as their own country, they very naturally resisted these encroachments and at once pro- cecded accordingly. Their hostile demonstrations were met with an equal feeling of hatred by many of the whites, and it was war to the death, until the Indian foe was finally driven from the country. Dur- ing the long period of bloody warfare but little progress was made in religious matters.
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The Episcopal Church.
Probably the first church established in what is now West Vir- ginia was an Episcopal Church at Mill Creek. or Bunker Hill, in Berkeley County, about 1740. It was called Morgan's Chapel, in honor of Morgan Morgan, one of the first white settlers in the State. The next church appears to have been erected at Romney, in Hampshire County, by Rev. Norman Nash, an Episcopal minister, about the year 1768. About the year 1793 an Episcopal Church was built in Brooke County. Services were also held at Wheeling and West Liberty by Rev. Joseph Doddridge about the same time. Another church of the same denomination was established at the mouth of Coal River, on the Kanawha, in 1797.
Rev. William F. Lee appears to have been the first Episcopal missionary sent to preach in Western Virginia. He held services at Clarksburg and Morgantown, but there was no church organized at the latter place until 1800.
"The Episcopal Church," says Hu Maxwell, in "History of West Virginia and Its People," does not seem to have ever been a church for the rural and country districts, at least so far as West Virginia is concerned. It has prospered in towns and cities only. There is no apparent reason why this should be so, except that it has always been a church of culture, and for that reason some prejudice may have ex- isted against it among people who lived plainly and whose opportuni- ties to attain a high degree of culture were not great. They felt more in sympathy with other denominations, such as the Methodists, Bap- tists and Lutherans, who went about among the highways and hedges seeking wanderers and gathering them into the fold."
No doubt another reason which contributed to the unpopularity of the Episcopal Church among the masses of the early settlers in Western Virginia was the fact of its having been the established church in England, and during the colonization of Virginia this insti- tution was given rights and preferences over all other church de- nominations. It was supported by taxation imposed upon all the peo- ple, regardless of their religious beliefs, while all other denominations were entirely dependent upon private subscriptions for the mainten- ance of their own institutions. This, of course, gave the Episcopal Church an unfair advantage over all others, and very naturally created a widespread bitter feeling toward that institution which, in later years, predominated in Western Virginia.
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