Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-01-27
Gov, Bmemai,'s nj ssage.
We copy the following extracts i'oin
Gov. Boreman's Message
JeFFsRsoN AND BERKELEY.

DnIlng INC Iast Il dit, anu eip'o VIC 10
!. turn 10 the County of Jefferson OF per
sons who had been actively engaged ii
, the Rebellion, there has been party II
+ tina. County who prefer living within The
jurisdiction of Virginia rather Than II
Wes, Virginia, and have been contend
ing that al that has been heretofore done
for the purpose of transferring that coun'
+ ty. and The county of Berkeley from tie
former State to the latter, is irregular, ur'
constitutional and void. and does not effec,
The purpose intended. And in accord.
ance wiln their views on this subject,
they made preparations and declared their
purpose TO held an Election in Jefferson
County on the 18th day of October, for
members of the General Assembly oil
Virginia, and for Representative IN Con
gress from that Stale; tina. being the day
appointed by the Proclamation oil The
Governor Of Virginia for filling all vacan-
cies in the Legislature Of the State and IN
the representation in Congress from that
State. Upon being satisfied that II was
Leir determination TO hold the Election
a, ,he time mentioned. |. on the 9Th day
of October. issued my proclamation,
warning all persons against attempting to
hold such Election, and directing the ar.
rest of any who should attempt il. But
as the civil authorities alone would not
have been sufficient 10 prevent the hold
ing of the election and 10 rest the offend
ers, If resistance had been offered, re-
ques,ed Maj. General w. H. Emory,
comm snding the District of West Virgin
ia, to aid The vil>oflicrrs in maintaining
The laws; and II affords me pleasure 10 &C
knowledge, in This official manner, the
promptnsss with which that gallant Off
Get responded to this, as he had TO all
calls made upon him since ne has been IN
command within the State. As "a conse
quence Of these precautionary measures,
no election was held.
| am assured. and have no doubt OF The
fact, although not officially informed oil
! il, that, at the instance of the Dalconienis
referred to, the General Assembly OF Vlr-
ginia, al lis present session, has repealed
The laws giving the consen! OF that State
TO the annexation of the counties OF Befk-
el-y aud Jefferson 10 Yves. Virginia. 1t
is believed tn this repeal cannot effect
tie status of these counties; but in order
To avoid further controversy on The sub
iec,, il has been deemed proper TO obtain
The sanction Of Congress 10 their transfer
from one State 10 the other. For this
purpose bill has been introduced into
Congress. which it is expected will pass,
and thus gu Ell and harmony will be re-
stored to the community interested.
The effort TO set up the authority OF an
other State in the rouhiy OF Jefferson.
and the many distractions thrown IN The
way OF the execution Off law in other
portions of the Slate have induced me Ia
look into the law Tor a remedy, but there
seems to be hone provided. Chapter
100 Of the Code OF 1860 might have en-
braced the effort TO establish The authority
of another Stale. hui this chapter was re-
peal, d tv ACT of March 3, 1864. and !
van now hud NO law upon the subject.
There is no punishment al all for many
cases Of resisting the execution OF The
laws, AMI, where there is such provision,
!, will be found wholly insufficient.
While do not propose to prescribe the
details Of legislation that may supply
these omissions. commend The subJecs TO
our careful consideration.
THE CoLoRED PEOPLE.
The recen, amendment OF The Cnnsiiiu-
lion Of The United States completes the
abolition OF slavery and leaves The colored
people in our midst free, a TACT which
should be borne in mind and recognized.
Under the Constitution Of our own State
they connol vote or hold office, but they
are entitled TO security and protection Of
property, which should be guaranteed to
them by proper legislation. An imPor'
tan. step toward the accomplishment OF
this purpose, and one it seems 10 me you
should not hesitate 10 take, is The removal
Of The restrictions upon their competency
as witnesses. Until this act oijustlce is
done all other guarantees are irul,iess'
and these unfortunate people are iel' To-
the mercy of any one who chooses TO in
Acl injury upon Them.
SUITS BY REBELS.
An act was passed a. The last session oil
the Legislature "to prevent the prosecution
of suits and The sueing ont Of process by
persons engaged in the rebellion Tins
act provides ha. The defendant in any suit
may require The plaintiff 10 file an athds'
Wit .ha, he has never participated IN the
rebellion. and if he fails TO file The same
his sui, shall be dismissed. II seems TO
me this law is of doubtful expediency. Ii
was intended TO prevent rebels ffem SUI
inc loyal men for acts done during the