Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-17


Staunton on Wednesday, decided that no
Irishman should vote unless he produced
his naturalization papers, and this, after they
had admitted several Wing votes of Ger
man extraction, one of whom was not nat
uralized-another had oeen in the country
three years. and another had but few days
before declared his intention of becoming a
ctizen-these, we understand to be the facts
of the cases, though the Commissioners de-
cided that all should be placed on the same
footing. The decision amounts, in substance,
to this, that foreigner, and especially an
Irishman, is not to be believed on oath-lor
the case might we'll alise that man had
lost his papers by fire, or other accident he
might be able to prove the fact by unim-
peachable testimony. yet according to this
decision the voter is Observation-Disclosures.
We have rarely read an article in any
paper, however given over to party blind
ness and malignity, more insidious in its
character, or more variant from the real
facts, than the above from the Vindicator Of
last Monday. Nine-tenths of It's readers
would understand from the above extract a
grave impeachment OF the integrity of the
Staunton precinct Commissioners, sworn to
discharge public duty to the best of their
skill and judgment. And yet in subse-
quent editorial. there appears the following,
1--WE charge not the Wing Commissioners
with acting in bad faith to their political OPP
ponents," SC. We conclude then, that
whatever design there might have been in
the first article to make an impression upon
the public mind unfavora5le to the "Whig
Commissioners, the Editor means TO show
in the second article that he has not receiv-
ed that impression himself Well, be it so.
The Commissioners neither fear charges nor
crave favors from any quarter. We pro-
coed TO facts.
At the close of the polls on Wednesday
evening, some six or eight votes upon the
polls had also been placed on the back of
the books as questionable, and for further
investigation. The following Friday was
fixed upon by the Commissioners for the
examination.
They met according to appointment in
the office of DAVID S. You've, Esq.,--Mr.
SHErrEY, Mr. SKINNER and Maj. HARNAN
being invited to be present. Mr.. SHrFrEY
and Maj. HARTMAN did attend, when the
Commissioners entered upon the consider
alton of the challenged votes. Every man
of observation knows what poor opportu-
nifty is afforded Commissioners to enquire
into the validity of votes in the midst of the
noise and confusion of crowded Court
house, especially amidst the scenes of the
memorable Sth ofDecember. which we new
er wish to see again. All challenged, were
entered for further investigation, except in
cases where the Commissioners had no
doubt. On Friday several of the marked
votes were rejected-one because the voter
had not been naturalized-one because he
had made declaration Of his intentions
only few days before the election-both
unchallenged and therefore not investiga-
ted at the time of voting, and both referred
to by the indicator.
The Irishman's vote v-5ieh has occasion
ed all the ado and Misrepresentation, was
given on Wednesday evening, the last day,
and he all the time in stones cast of the
Courthouse. He declared on oath, that he
had lost his naturalization papers-that he
had made his declaration in Boston, and one
year after had obtained full papers CLEARLY
a mistake) which had been lost-he was
also intoxicated when he voted, and under
all the circumstances, the Commissioners, or
majority Of those present rejected, his vote
on Friday. They did not decide as stated
by the Vindicator, 'that no Irishman should
vote unless he produced his naturalization
papers," tor many voted who were not re-
CURED to produce them. The question turn
ed upon the first vote, whether Irish, Eng
lish, Scotch or German. So much for the
facts.
But says the Tindica!or, mr. BREcKEN-
RIDGE Zone of the Commissioners had too
much democracy in him to give his assent
to the decision" If we know that gentle
man, the intended compliment to him in
disparagement of his associates in public
duty will fail of its purpose. tie has MOI
been educated in school of politics where
the solemnity of an oath is weighed either
by Democratic or Wing affiliations.
As to the call made upon lrishmen to re-
member that the decision (yet no decision)
was made by Wing Commissioners, it is
disgraceful to its author and too contempt.
Bile for further notice.
THE WEEKLY PosT-This is the title
of Southern Literary Journal just started
at Raleigh, N. c., and published at the
North Carolina Institution for the Deaf and
Dumb and the Blind. 1t is edited by Mr.
COOKE, Principal of the Institution, and Z
II. WILEY, Esq, one of the most popular
authors of the day. The Posi- is large ane
very handsome paper, and will doubtless