Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-10-19

1received from Gov. sPeifpoint in reply to th'
explanatory letter, before mentioned, in which
he expresses the opinion that the proposes
election was not the way to settle the question
lin controversy between the two States. He adj
vises that as " it has passed from the legisla
tive power Of either State, the agitation of the
question in either State, further than to sub
nit the question to Congress or the Suprem'
Court of the United States, would only produces
a war of words and bad feelings he alsc
counsels that efficient steps" be taken " Z
have the question settled by the proper tribu'
nal" and closes his communication with the
assurance :" that the State of Virginia will dc
all it can ON this subject"
It was at once determined to call together
the Committee ON elections for the purpose Of
considering these important papers: and, ac-
cordingly notices to the members (some of whom
resided in distant points of the county, were
sent out, and meeting of the committee was
called at Charestown on Monday morning the
| 9th inst The committee met at the appointed
time and at once determined, that if it should
be the wish of the Governor of Virginia and
the military authorities that the proposed cleo
ton should not be held, all intention of holding
it should be resigned.
On the evening of that day one Of Gen. En-
ory's Staff arrived, presented kind mes
sage from Gen. E. aT$informed us that the ex-
pected response of Gen. Hancock had been re-
ceived and that it was his desire that the cleo
ton should not take place He announced at
the same time that Gen. Emory himself would
visit Charlestown the succeeding Wednesday.
The committee thereupon adopted the most ac-
tive measures to make known to the citizens of
the county that the election had been abandon
ed. To that end they prepared notice for
publication inthe Free Press, announcing that,
in pursuance of the suggestion of Governor
Peirpoint and the wishes of the. Commander OF
this Middle Military Dept, the contemplated
election would not occur. Whilst engaged in
the work of disseminating information of the
abandonment of the project, the unnecessary,
Incorporate and dcnunciatory proclamation Of
the Governor of West Virginia arrived. OF that
proclamation we have now nothing to say. 1t
is its own best commentary. Nothing but it.
self can be its parallel.
On Wednesday morning Gen. Emory reach
ed Charlestown and, after an interview with
those having charge Of Heterogeneous for the
10Th. he became satisfied that the further pres
ence of the troops sent to suppress the propos-
ed election was unnecessary and they, according
". by his order, were withdrawn.
Such arc the plain, unadorned facts in rela-
ton to matter which has been tortured into
an Importance that did not properly belong
to it and which in its history, contains the
gIimpses of designs, which we are far from be-
Heving, can be satisfactorily explained, upon
the theory of an earnest desire to preserve the
public peace on the part of those engaged III
loud invocations upon the powers of Governors
of States. Secretaries of War and the comman-
ders of Military Departments.
It only remains for the committee to say a
few words as to the manner in which they had
determined to discharge their duties, and OF the
purposes really intended to be subseryed by the
contemplated election.
Under the resolution from which they derive
their appointment, and with the intention OF
fulfilling in the spirit in which it was conceived
the work assigned to them, they proceeded to
make the necessary preparations to conduct
regularly and pcaceobly the proposed election.
Although no organization Of the County had
been ordered by Governor Peirpoint, ian omis-
sion which is observable in several other Coun-
ties of the STATED, upon an examination OF the
Code of Virginia, (still the law OF the State)
they discovered that ample provision already
existed for the accomplishment of the purpose
in view. According to Chap. Z, Sec. ii, Art
10 of the Code of 1860, it is enacted that " il
none of the Commissioners (who are appoint
ed by tho County Court-not yet organize
" attend" Ii. G., the election) "or none shall
have been appointed, then any t'eo .trcehotder'
mssenf'lat the place of the electionl "dnd agree
ina to act shall be Commissioners, and, 'when'
ever at the opening Of the polls at any place o
voting no person shall be present who is now
authorized to administer oathsi or if such per-
son being present, shall refuse to administer thu
oath provided for" wiz the oath. of Office ''th'
conductor shall administer the oath required by
law. to the commissioners and writers; and tho
said oath shall therefore be administered to hin
by any of the Commissioners so qualified; anC
if the conductor appointed to conduct an cleo
ton at any place of voting, shall fail to attend
the commissioners present or the .treeholdeh'
present and agreeing 10 act as commissioners ac'
cording to law, shall appoint a conductor icht
shall proceed to administer the sad oath TO tn
commissioners and rriters."
All difficulties having been removed from
their minds as to their power to conduct the E.
II - IL