Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-05-29
An Important Bill.

Z .
We have been frequently interrogated in
regard to the provisions of the bill passed by
the Legislature of Virginia at its session Of
last winter, in reference to the maintenance
of the rights and jurisdiction of Virginia
over the counties of Jefferson and Berkeley.
For the information of our readers, We pub
lish below from the Acts of Assembly, the
bill as it passed the two houses of the
Legislature -
CHAr. s5.-Ap ACT to provide for, the assertion of
the Rights of this Comuon We calth to Jurisdictions
over the Counties of Jefferson aud Berkeley.
Passed March l, 1866.
Whereas, Notwithstanding the passage,
during the present session of the general
assembly, of an act repeating all laws giving
consent to the annexation of the counties OF
Jefferson and Berkeley to the state of West
Virginia, it appears that said state is making
an effort to obtain the consent ofthe congress
of the United States to said annexation and
whereas, in the judgment of the general
assembly, such action on the part of congress
would be; wholly nugatory now that the
consent of Virginia has been withdrawn {:
and whereas the state OF West Virginia is
exercising jurisdiction over said counties:
and whereas it may. be the congress of tho
United States will, after the Adjournment of
this legislature, give its consent to their
annexation to West Virginia, thereby making
it necessary, before the legislature shall again
| convene, for this commonwealth TO have its
| rights to jurisdiction over said counties
determined by the proper legal tribunals:
l. Be it therefore enacted. That shall be
| the duty Of the attorney general of this COM
monweath, under the direction ofthe COVER
nor, in case the consent of congress should
| be given to such annexation, at -uuce to in
! stitute such legal proceedings as may be
| proper, either at law or IN equity, and to
adopt and carry out all other measures as
may be necessary on the part of this common
wealth, to secure, as soon possible, a deci-
sion, by the appropriate legal tribunals, of
any and all questions arising out of the
| attempt to annex said counties Of Jefferson
| and Berkeley, or either of them, to the
state of West Virginia, or of said state to
exercise jurisdiction over them. And the
governor is hereby authorized and directed
to employ, aud associate with the attorney
general, in conducting said proceedings,
Reyerdy johnson, and such other competent
] counsel as he may deem proper, and to pay
them such just compensation as may be
agreed upon, together with all other necessary
expenses attending the same, out of the
appropriation hereinafter made
2. And be it further enacted, That the
| governor be and he is hereby authorized and
requested, at the earliest day practicable after
the refusal of congress to give such consent
or after decision by the appropriate legal
tribunal, in favor of this commonwealth, to
proceed to have said counties fully organized
in respect to all their functions, both Judicial
and political.
3. And be it further enacted, That to
! defray the expenses incurred under the first
.. ,ction of this act, the sum of ten thousand
dollm.s is hereby appropriated, out of any
money in the treasury not otherwise ,appro-
nriated. to be- paid from time to time, as
reuuircd. under tie direction Of the governor,
upon the warrant OF the auditor OF public
accounts
4. This act shall be in force from and
t..fter the passage thereof