Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1865-11-28
TIE rRCTT$T.
CHARLEsTowN, WEST VA,
Nov. IL, 1865.


To his E.r"e2lency, Coz Borcman:
We, the undersigned, Supervisors in the
County OF Jefferson, beg leave to apprise YOU
OF the action Of the Board of Supervisors
at Its session Of tuesday, last-in reference
to the throwing out Of the entire vote of the
Char!estown Township.
This Township cast 267 votes-2e5 we're
cast for Judge Kennedy, and for Mr. Hall
On the day fixed by law for the Superyi-
sorS to meet and certify the returns, the
Supervisors eli Charlestown and Osborne
Townships left here together, early, and re-
paired to hcpherdstown. to be present at
the said meeting.
Ihey found the Board in session-present
Supervisors Fossett, Cameron, Turner and
Potterheld. They were counting the tallics
OF the different Townships. About this time,
pr. Logic, another Supervisor the only
one absent-arrived.
The Board ives ASKED if any thing lad
been done With the Cliarlcstown Township,
and the answer was mo" They were asked
not to pass upon it. Until Logic, Johnson
and McCurdy could return, ard the Board
stated that no action should be taken With
that Precinct until these gentlemen were
present In our absence, however, tie re-
naming Supervisors took up that Township,
and threw out the entire vote of the Town,
ship, end when We returned and found what
had been done, demand was made to have
the decision opened fer review which was
denied
We are informed that counsel present Sta
ted that they would like to be heard and met
with like refusal.
Wecorslder that the law does not autho-
rise the Board of Supervisors to throw out
any Township, but, Ithe contrary, clearly
prohibits it. They must certify the elections
rs they get them from the Inspectors of eack
Township. Except for County ard Town
ship officers, they are rot the judges of the
returns and qualifications ofany parties elect
ed, and, eyen-ln; these cases, they can sit
only as Court having jurisdiction to try a
question OF contested election in the form
prescribed by the law.
We regard the action of tbs Beard as an
usurpatlOn of power unwarrante6 nv the law
in direct violation ofits commands, and that
lte effects are to do away altogether with the
right Of the people to choose their own ser
wants; because it puts in the power of the
Supervisors tie absolute control of the right
Of suffrage, and they can say who is and who
is not elected.
We do ;;6t think it was the intention of
the law to take away from tie people this
right, aud confer it upon the Beard of SUI
pervisc.s. We, therefore. feel it 70 - our
duty to protest in the strongest langlage
against their action, and ask your Exccilcncy
to order the returns to be given to such can
didates ss appeared &C. haTc' bcan elected, or
take such other action to preserve the rights
of the Psorle, and carry out the manifest in
tentien ofthe law as to you r.ay seem proper
in the premises.
John W. McCURDY,
Supervisor Osborn Township.
CHARLES JOHNSON,
Supervisor Charlestown Township
When entered the room the vote was
about being taken and not knowing the mo-
ton before the Board asked to be excused.
JAMES LOGIC,
SuporyiSor rar;ll