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

j
We have been frequently Intercepted in
regard to the provisions of the bin passed by
the Legislature of Virginia at It's session Of
5 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 -
Car s5aAn ACT 12 to provide toE the assertion Of
over the Counties of Jefferson aud Berkeley. 5.
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
au effort to obtain the consent of the 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 of Virginia has been Withdrawn !: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:
aud 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 it,shdil be
the duty Of the attorney general of this com
monwealth, under the direction of the COVER
nor, in case the consent of congress should
hor aI,
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 as possible, 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 Qall 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
dollass is hereby appropriated, out of any
money in the treasury not otherwise .appro-
nriated to be, paid from time to time, as
required, under IT,. direction ofthe governor,
upon the warrant OF the auditor OF public
accounts. 10
4. This act shall be in force from and
Z, Fer the passage thereof.