Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-03-06

Remarks of Mr.. Coston in the House OF Dele
yates, on the 18th Of February, 1884, on the mo-
lion to discharge the Select Committee, from the
further consideration of the petition and counter
memorial, of sundry citizens Of the county OF
Berkeley, in reference TO the establishment OF
precinct elections in that county
Mr.. Colston said, he rose in obedience 70 the
Instructions of the committee, to move that they
be discharged from the further consideration Oh
the petition and counter memorial which had been
referred TO them. He would make brief and
candid statement of all the circumstances which
bad brought the committee to that conclusion, and
would observe that he held in his hand ga bill to
establish separate elections in the county Of Berlt
lcv,"which he was ready to report, if the House,
after the statement he was now about to submit,
refused TO discharge the committee from the fur
Their consideration of the subject; and therefore,
no delav would be produced by such refusal on
the part of the House. II would be recollccted,
tia, the petition for precinct elections was not
presented until late period of the session by
his colleague, and referred to the committee of
propositions and grievances, Of which neither of
Us are members. That committee, through their
chairman, asked to be discharged from the fur
,her consideration thereof, upon the ground, that
there was no evidence before them of notice hav-
ing been given in pursuance of the rules of the
House. BE would say for himself, and was au-
thorized by his colleague to say, that neither Of
them urged any action of the committee upon the
petition in its then defective condition. When
the motion to discharge the committee from the
Consideration Of the petition was submitted by
the chairman, the question was distinctly made
whether this was one Of those cases, IN winch
notce was required; and after considerable &c
bate, it was decided in the Affirmative; where
upon the committee was discharged, and the pc
thon laid upon the table. A few days suose-
aaenty, notice accompanied by an aihdaVlt vas
Transmitted 10 his colleague, VINO promptly pre-
'ented il to the House, and moved 'he reference
aihc petition and notice again 10 the comnl''ee.
That committee moved 10 De dischafgeo from 'ne
onsideration Of the petition, upon Inc ground,
hat the notice was defective IN some material
F points. This last decision OF inc commii'ee was
greed TO BY the House, without dlssehung
,oce. The delegates from Berkeley having a,
that period received no counter memorial ana
being unwilling that the unopposed WISHES OF so
Considerable portion Of their constituents should
be thus defeated, he had deemed il his duty, with
The concurrence Of his colleague, TO have the
subject referred TO a select committee. He had
accordingly submitted, on Monday last, motion
g 70 tia, effect, which met the concurrence of the
& House. He made that motion however, without
knowledge of the counter memorial, which had
E IN The mean time been received by his colleague,
sad submitted TO the House about the same time
"a with his motion. By that memorial, the atten