Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-06-08
Berkeley and Jenerson Counties.

Berkeley and OehersOn Counties.
We are informed that at the late cleo
ton, the people ofthe counties of Berkeley
and Jefferson took vote on coming into
West Virginia, and voted to come in; and
that they also elected delegates to our Lee
gislature.
AS there is an obscurityi in the minds of
some respecting the relations of these
countiesto the New State, we will briefly
state what they are. The constitution pro
vided for the addition of seven counties
over there, on certain conditions. They
were separated into two districts-Pendle-
ton, Hardy, Hampshire and Morgan, the
one, and Berkeley, Jefferson and Freder-
lex, the other. If the four comprising the
frat district, adopted the constitution on
the day fixed in the schedule for voting on
it, (Apri: 4, 1861 they were to be inclu-
ded; and, in case these four were so inclu-
ded and the other three composing the
other DISTRICT adopted tho constitution on
the same day, they too were to be inclu-
ded. The counties of Pendleton, Hardy,
Hampshire and Morgan adopted the consti-
tuition ard were included; the counties of
Berkeley, Jefferson aud Frederick did not
adopt the constitution and were not in
cluded.
These counties were therefore left occu-
plying tho same relation to the New State
as any others belonging to the Old State.
Application was made last winter by Berk-
ley to the Legislature, for leave to separate
from the Old State aud join the New, aud
an act was passed January 81, 1863, "giv-
ing the consent of the State of Virginia to
the county of Berkeley being admitted into
and becoming part of the State of West
Virginia. and providing for taking the
vote of the people of the county Oh that
question at the May election. On the 4th
of the succeeding February, nm act was
passed ''giyiug consent to the admission of.
certain [sther] counties into the New
State of West Virginia." among them
Jefferson, and providing for tukiug vote
on tue Same day us in the case of Berkeley.
The acts provide that if the election could
not be held on the day nnued, the Gov
power to extend the time But we under
stand the elections in these two counties
were held on the 18th ult, and that the
people of both voted to come into West
Virginia; aud that they went further and
elected delegates to the West Virginia
Legislature. Such an election of delegates
if it took place was unauthorized, illegal
and improper.
The provision of the Constitution in re.
gard to the admission of counties is this
additional territory may be admitted
into and become part of this State with the
consent of the Legislature. And in such
case, provision shall be made by law for
the representation of the white population
thereof in the Senate and House of Dele
gates, in conformity with the principles set
forth in this Constitution"
1t will require an act of our Legislature
to admit these counties, aud it will require
legislation on its part to provide for their
representation. After they have been so
admitted, aud their representation provid-
ed for, the number of delegates fixed, &C.,
they may hold an election under provisions
of an act for the purpose, and send repre-
sentatiVes to the Legislature.
This, it seems to US, is about the way
the case of these counties stands. They
may properly enough make application to
the Legislature for admission. That is the
next regular step, and one contemplated by
the acts cousenting to their separation
from the old State but the election of del
egates, if any has taken place. was prema-
taro, aud they, of course, could not be re.
ceived.
The prOpriety of admitting these conn
ties at all, will be question for the Leg.
islsture when their application is made.
Re-ohaFtorInE the CITY.