Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-11-30

CHARLESTOWN, w ESI hlh'lNlA;
Nov IL, 1865.
To HIS Ercegency, Governor Foreman:
We, the undersigned, Supervisors in the
County of Jefferson, beg leave to apprise you
of the action of the Board of Supervisors--at
it's session of Tuesday last-in reference to the
throwing out of the entire vote of the Charles
town Township:
This Township cast 267 votes-266 were
cast for Judge Kennedy, and for MIR. Hall.
On the day fixed BY law for the Supervisors
TO meet and certify the returns, the Supervisors
of Charlestown and Osborne Townships left
here together. early. and repaired to Shepherds
town. to be present at the said meeting,
They found the Board in sesslon-preSent,
Supervisors Fossil, Cameron, Turner and Pot
ter6eld They were counting the tallies of the
different Townships, About this time DIR. To-
gle, another Supervisor-and the only one a0-
sent-arrived.
The Board was asked if anything had been
done with the Charlestown Township, and the
answer was No." They were asked not to
pass upon it until Logic, johnson and McCur-
DIV could return, and the Board stated that no
action should be taken with that Precinct until
these gentlemen were present. In our absence,
however. the remaining Supervisors took up
that Township and threw out the entire vote
of the Township, and when we returned and
found what had been done, demand was made
to have the decision opened for review, which
was denied.
We were informed that counsel present stated
that they would like to be heard, and met with
q like refusal,
We consider that the law does not authorize
the Board of Supervisors to throw out any
Township. but, on the contrary, clearly pro-
hibits it. They must certify the elections as
they get them from the Inspectors of each
Township. Except for County and Township
officers. they are not the Judges of the returns
and qualifications of any parties elected, and,
even in these cases they con sit only as Court
having jurisdiction to try question of contest
ell election in the form prescribed by law.
We regard the action of the Board as an IL
surpation of power unwarranted by the law, III
direct violation of its commands, and that its
effectsare to do away altogether with the right
of the people to choose their own servants; be-
cause it puts in the power of the Supervisors
the absolute control of the right Of suffrage,
and they can say who is and who is not elected.
We do not think it was the intention of the
law to take away from the people this right,
and confer it upon the Board of Supervisors
I'VE, therefore, feel it to be our duty to protest
in the strongest language against their action,
and ask your Excelency to order the returns
to be given to such candidates as appeared to
have been elected, OF take such other action to
preserve the rights of the people, and carry
out the manifest intention of the law as to you
may seem proper IN thc 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 motion be-
fore the Board, asked to be excused.
JAMES LoGtE,
Supervisor Averill Township.