davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
The Registry Law,

In its last issue, the Wheeling Register,
in referring to the questions which the papers
Of this county have published in connection
with the Registry Law, has the following arti-
Gle. Our own views Of this law, and the
authority of the Registrar to PROFOUND these
questions, Will be found elsewhere -
No QUEsTIONs.-Wc observe that the
ShephcrdstOwm, Jefferson county, Register,
speaking of the operation Of the Registration
Act, publishes Il series Of questions to be pro-
pounded to applicants for registration. Either
the Board Of Registration ia Jefferson county
are proceeding in shameful disregard OF the
law, or the editor has been mrsiniormed
Neither the County Board nor the Registrars
have any power or authority to ask single
question OF the applicant for Registration
If the Registrar doubts the loyalty Of the APP
Plicant, he may require hun to take the test
oath. but that is all. He has no right to ask
him whether he ever sympnthized with the
Cause of the South iu the recent rebellion or
rejoiced over Southern victories If tho
Registrar proposes such questions as these, or
in fact any question at all except such as may
be necessary to ascertain the residence Of the
voter aud the time he has becu in the State
and county, he exceeds his authority, violates
the law, and should be punished therefor.
We trust that the shepherdstown Register
will correct the impression its publication Of
the questions has produced, and we trust also
that the Democratic and conservative citizens
of the various counties Of the State will see to
it that, ii the Registration act is enforced at
all 1t is not made more oppressive aud tyrnn-
nical than the terms of the law allow Hold
all the officers OF Registration strictly within
the power given them by the law. and suffer
no officer to exceed that power with IMMUNITY.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
soMERoDy FIRM

We clip the following from communica-
ton in the last Shepherdstown Register
Whois the one lawyer living in Jefferson ex-
cepted from, the proposition of the writer p
We take it for granted that Judge Kennedy
IS meant; it certainly must be either he or
Mr. Berry-either of whom can answer the
questions propounded. But who are the
others? Will our friend little favor us by
publishing the list of lawyers, living in JEFF
terson, who have taken tn, West Virginia
test oath ?
{" 1t seems also that your West va Leg
lslature has special spite for those learned
in the Law. Well, it is not to be wondered
at. Else why require attorneys to do such
hard swearing in addition to their other pro-
tessional duties. A wag at my shoulder
one who always calls me a West Virginian,
when he desir. S to be particularly dsagreea-
ble-ofers to bet a Confederate fifty cent
note against all the brains in the Wheeling
Legislature, that there is not lawyer Ut the
bar OF Jefferson county willing to take that
test oath-with one exceptIon-who can
write three consecutive sentences OF gram
matical English, construe the Latin in one
chapter of Blackstone or tell the meaning of
the word Code Considering the offer dis
respectful not to say reasonable, L have de-
clined accepting it. But as your printers
devil believes in betting at great hazards, |
mention it for his benefit"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
EVEN HANDED JUSTICE.

One of the laws passed by the legislative
concern out at Wheeling, during the late
session, gives the right to Southern men to
sue each other for debt or anything else but
no Southern man can sue "loyal" man for
debt or for anything else.
A 'loyal" man may commit any wrong
upon the person or property of ''rebel'' that
he pcases, but the ':rcbel" is not allowed to
sue his loyal wrong-doer except with that
"loyal" wrong-doers consent. This is, doubt
less, one of the cases referred to by Senator
Wiley, when he said that the West Virginia
Legislature had removed the " grievances of
which the people of Jefferson and Berkeley
complained" 1t is a fair sample of the work
done by that intensely moderate body of law
makers, and will serve to show how much
justice and wisdom extend into all their de-
alterations.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
LAWYERS.

The West Virginia supreme Court of Ap-
peals, at its last term, decided that lawyers
were not officers, and that the test oath could
not be required of them, and that, therefore,
they had the right to practice their profession
upon taking the usual oath administered to
them. AS soon as the Court adjourned its
term, Joe. ChapIine and his worthy followers
set themselves to work and concocted new
law requiring all lawyers to take the test
oath; and, hence, none but the "loyal' men
of the green bag can be permitted to practice
in any of the courts of the State This law
is mere trick of Chapline's to keep the old
lawyers out of his way for time louger-he
cannot believe that it will stand the test of
any fair minded judge, either Of the circuit
or appellate courts.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
The Fenian Excitement in Canada.

The correspondent of the Herald. writing
from Detroit under date of the 18th instant.
says that intense excitement exits throughout
Upper Canada. ''Troops are being hurried
to the front continually; artillery wagons are
passing to and fro; earthworks are being con-
structed on the line of the frontiers at points
considered as most vulnerable, and everything
wears military aspect" On the American
side OF the river everything is quiet, and not
an armed Fenian anywhere to be found. The
Detroit Fenians have contributed four thou
sand stand of arms for the Irish in this locality
1t Is asserted that "a number of Irishmen will
congrcgate at Windsor on St. Patrick's niygt,
and when Fenians on the American side set
off green rockets and fire. minute guns. thew
will throw themselves upon the volunteers
from the rear, while American Fenians cruss
over and attack them in the from" The
calling out OF the volunteers Is said to have
been caused by the anticipation of difficulties
on St. Patrick's day.
In Montreal. the excitement is uuabated
General Lindsay reviewed the militia and
dispatched two thousand men to the frontier.
The Canadian police are very active and vigi-
liant, aud the whole military force are on the
alert.
The Toronto Globe has the following sig
nifcant paragraph:
whether the Fenians put their nccks in
the moose that is ready for them or not. it is
highly desirable that the practical working of
our provincial system Of defence should be un-
derstOod by our people, and confidence inspired
as to the efficiency and promptitude of its ope-
ration in any emergency"
On the other side, the Montreal National
Union says: at is true that the Irish patriots
are meeting at the present time in this city and
staying ut the houses of their friends who live
in Montreal, and will strike a great blow ON
st. Putrick's day, the 18th instant If it
should thus fall out, the 18th instant will be
great day in the annals of Canada
Also that they do not doubt that the Irish
men i'll revolt will soon be recognised rs belIi-
geren's by the American Government "Aud
FMnce, which recognised the South rs beii-
gerent can she logically refuse the same favor
to Ireland in orms?, The sympathics of the
world are with Ireland, us they were with Po-
land. And as there is nothing impossible in
these days, it would not be surprising to sec
Russia and the United States pluck Ireland
from England, and put the Emerald Isle in
the caskct of independent nations"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
Virginia Items.

: MANsLAUGHPER.-O town was thrown
into considerable excitement on Monday night
last, by the killing of BENNETT McCARD, a
colored waiter at the Hotel of Mrs. l.. a !.
GLAZE. 1t seems that the deceased was
standing quietly upon the street when he was
accosted by Mr.. DooLEY. from Charlestown
Va. who for sometime has been engaged at
work in the shop of Mr.. PHILLIP AFFIcK,
and charged with stealing horse the night
previous He protested his innocence and at
the same time attempted to release himself
from the hold which DooLEY had taken of his
collar: Before he succeeded however, he re-
ceived blow upon the head from the effects
of which he died in about one hour An in
quest was held the following morning. The
following is the finding of the Jury:
THAT the deceased was killed by blow
from wooden instrument in the hands of
THEODORE DooLEY and that he came to his
death by unlawful violence, and THEODORE
DooLEY is guilty thereof"
warrant, issued by the Coroner. !, in the
hands Of the Sheriff for DooLEY's arrest.
Clarke Journal
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
THE DEVIL STORY.

The story which we published last week,
of the appearance of his satanic majesty in
Bracken county, KY, created quite sensa-
ton, and we have been several times called
upon for explanations. As the story did not
originate with us, VIC Of course could not
crafty these demands, but we have now, as
we had when We published it, some doubts of
the truth of of the story. If the incidents of
the narrative had been located about Wheel
ing or SnePherdstown, we might possibly
have given it credit. The physical appear
ance Of his excelcncy in these localities at
any time, would excite little surprise, as we
feel sure he has had his spiritual abode with
Foreman, Chapline & Co., for some time
past. If he did appear in Kentucky, he was
hunting Wheeling, and only reached terra
iirma little too far to the southwest.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
c. 81. MC'CURDY.

Mr. McCurdy, one of the Delegates from
this county to the West Virginia Legislature,
has proved himself to be so utterly unlike
his colleague, Kooncc, and "the Senator from
the Board of Supervisors" Chapliue that he
deserves commentator from those he repre-
seuts. He has separated himself from his
radical brethren, and legislatcd for the good
of his State. His course has been conserva-
tive, and sensible; SO much SO that he will
not stand the ghost of chance for re election
from those whose names will appear upon the
books of John Spanglcr and his three chiefs
over at Shepherdstown. We voted against
Mr.. McC. last Fall, and tried our best to de-
feat him, but we must do him the Justice to
say that he has made a good representative,
and voted against all the destructive laws
which the radical majority have inflicted
upon the State.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

THE SUPEME Court AND JUDICIAL CIR
CU1Ts.-The national House Of Representatives
has passed a bill reducing the number of
judges of the Supreme Court from ten to nine
1t has been but three years since the num-
Der of jud ges was raised from nine to ten. n
new circuit being created for the Pacific States
There being a vacancy on the bench since
the decease Of Justice Catron the present re-
ductOn, if it goes into effect, will not legislate
any judge out Of Office; it, however. necessita;es
an extensive Encouragement OF the circuits
By the new law, the late Justice atron's cir
cult disappears entirely, being divided among
the others. Louisiana and Texas are added
to Justice Wayue's circuit; West Virginia
is taken from Chief Justice Chase and added
to Justice Swayne's; Kentucky and Tennessee
to Justice Davis's; and Arkansas to Justice
Aliller's. Some other adjustments are also
made. South Carolina is taken from Justice
Wayne and given to Chief Justice Chase. and
Wisconsin is taken from Justice Davis and
given to Justice Miller Nevada, Just admit
ted, is added to Justice Fields circuit
by the above bill the fourth judicial cir
cult. assigned to Chief Justice Chase, is re-
constructed so as to comprise the States of
Maryland. Delaware, Virginia. North Caro-,
lima and South Carolina Baltimore Sun.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

Tue SEA ISLAND LANDs.--The Richmond
Dispatch calls attention to the fact that the
papers are almost all publishing statement
directly the reverse issued in the truth in re
gard to the orders recently issued in South
Carolina relative othe lands granted for three
years to the freedmen by General Sherman.
The order is that the owners may have posses
SION Cthe title to stand as it is ) where they
make with the freedmen contracts, approved
by the Freedmcn's Bureau. to remain rs Ia
borers IT the freedmen refuse to make such
contracts, they will be dispossessed. If the
owners so refuse, the freedmen will remain in
possession.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
DEFEAT OF THE F1NANoEB11,1,

At eleven o'clock Friday night the House
of Representatives at Washington defeated
the Loan bill, prepared in accordance with
the views of the Secretary of the Treasury,
by the close vote of 6S nays to GO yeas
Amongst the former is included the name of
Mr.. Garfield, of Otio, who, though friendly
to the bill, foreseeing its defeat If left to the
casting vote of Speaker Colfax, voted with
the majority in order to move reconsldera-
ton, which he did as soon as the vote was
declared. The subject was, therefore, to
come up again on Monday, and the small ma
jority by which it was lost gives the hope
that on second thought the House will adopt
it, and allow the Secretary to carry out his
policy of safe aud gradual contraction. In
the Senate we apprehend there will be more
difficulty, as Mr.. Sherman has indicated his
hostility to the measure. An analysis of the
vote in the House shows that nearly all the
Democrats, with considerable sprlnklng Of
Republicans, voted for the b ill.,
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
THE FENIANs.
Work to Commence at Once,
Distinguished Onfeers Appointed to Com.
.mand. Ee--E

New York. March 18th, 1s66.-Last
evening, Major-General Julius Stahl, Sir
Percy Wyudham, and General Spear, all
cavalry officers, were appointed to important
commands in the Fenian army by General
Sweeney, the Secretary OF War.
Authorization was also granted for recruit.
ing cavalry brigade TO operate ON the frontier.
Seventeen companies of cavalry are already
filled for the first regiment.
Sharp work may be anticipated during the
coming week
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

CoTToN IN l666.-A letter from an in
telligent citizen of Georgia. estimates that
the crop of Cotton for 1866 will reach $780,
600 bales. One reason for this conclusion
is, the freedmen having recovered from the
dream inspired by Federal agents, show an
increased disposition to labor, and planters
are reported to be making preparations to
Put, as large crop in the ground as they can
find means to cultivate.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

NoM1NATloN BY TIE PREsIDExT.-Presi-
dent johnson has alarmed the Radicals in
the Senate by sending in the nomination Of
General Frank Blair for the post of Collector
OF Internal Revenue for St Louis. They re-
gard it as an indication that his future an
pointments will be made from the Couserva-
tive rauks, and they fear the effect upon Office
holders who have heretofore sustained the
Radical ideas Of the majority in Congress.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

- The operatives in the cotton mills around
Petersburg, who have been getting seventy
five per cent. advance upon ante Leliuns wages,
were informed that reduction oftwenty- five
per cent. was to be made. They sstruck %
there being no apprcciable decline in living
expenses. The mills are silent.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

FIRES AND FIRE ALARMS. Quite con-
stcrnltlOn was created at the Presbyterian
Church on Thursday evening last, about the
time Of the dismissal of the congregation.-
An alarm of fire was sounded, and the au-
dience, in excitement, hustled aud hurried
out Of the building. In the confusion that
cnsued, one or two ladies tainted, aud others
shrieked as though they would faint it they
were not soon rescued. Fortunately, no Sc
riOu' injury was sustained, and many after
wards laughed aud felt ashamed of their own
tim.dity, when they learned that the whole
thing was caused by the bursting Of lamp
On Saturday morning, during the preva-
lence Of high March wind, yell Of fire
was heard, which had its origin in volume
of smoke which was seen issuing from the
jewelry establishment of Mr. w. w. Burton.
on Main street. On inquiry we learned that
Mr.. B. had been fixing his stove pipe in the
morning, using an old piece of carpet This
piece of carpet he threw into barrel NOT
knowing that it was on fre-aud went to his
breakfast. In his absence, it commenced
burning, and but for timely discovery, might
have resulted in serious destruction.
The most singular fire of all, howe, err. is
one which has caused acute suffering to our
quondam cotemporary, Mr.. D. Smith EicheI-t
berger. Having been for some time pas an-
noyed by mice, he purchased some Of. Stone
killers Rat~Bre4ker," with the determination
Of exterminating the varmints,'' which he
prepared in the usual way, following direc-
tons. By some means portion of the 1,Aos-
I'horetic compou"d-we hope we havn'tover-
shot the mark got on the front finger of
the left hand. To cleanse this finger. he
commenced scraping it on table, bench or
chair, when she took fre-either the finger
or the rat-kiIler-ignited, exploited or went
off, and before the flames could be extin-
guished, put out, subjugated or destroyed-as
the case may be-quite burn had been in
fiicted or afflicted upon our friends deTfcr
grdmPus, which has caused him severe suffer
ing since Saturday evening last We hope
lie may speedily find relief Dr. John Hurst
says the finger is still smoking. and that the
case is the most obstinate one he ever had
anything to do with. except one which he had
before Judge Balch's Court last summer.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
OUR STATIIS

The bill to transfer Jefferson and Berkeley
counties to West Virginia, which passed
Congress, finally, last Wednesday week, has
not yet received the signature of President
Johnson-at least, we have seen nothing in
our exchanges to show that he las signed it.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20
Lecture by Fred. Douglas.

Fred. Douglas delivered lecture in Wash
ington on Saturday night. in which he claimed
the right Of the negro to vote, on the follow
ing grounds: o
1st. That he is man. I'd. Because be is
citizen. Sd. Because the negro needs to
be encouraged to labor for his own improve
ment. 4th. Because he needs the right Of
suffrage for his own protection 9Th. The
negro wants the elective franchise because
the white man wants it. 9th lie wants it
because he has deserved it. 18th. The gov
eminent should give the franchise to the
blacks because it may need them again
Sth- Because this is government based on
universal suffrage. 9th. Because there can
be no sound reconstruction withUutit. 10Th.
Because the nation IS in honor bound to en-
franchise the negro; and 1Ith. Because there
is no reason against it.
After Douglas had elaborated these propo-
sitions:
SENATORS Yates and Wilson and General
Howard each came forward in response to
IOud and repeated calls, and made few re-
marks, expressive of their earnest sympathy
with the cause of equal justice. Judge Kel-
ley then stepped forward and said that Sam
Houston. in disbanding the Texan army, dis
missed his troops with the injunction eco
home aud plant corn" and he would say to
the present audience, $50 home and agita.e,
agitate, agitate for the truth until the truth
prevails
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

y FINANCIAL CONFERENCE.-The is
trouble between Secretary McCuioch and his
Comptroller, Freeman Clarke He has taken
Occasio" to correct statement OF finances
emapatng from The Comptroller, and the lat
ter after demonstrating that his figures were
right, pitches into the Secretary, by way of
demonstrating also that he has some Indepen-
eence IN him; The Secretary having stated
that he would require sll2,OOO,000 more
than current receipts to carry him through
the remainder of the fiscal We r. Clarke AYERS
that by proper administration of his re-
sources he Can save surplus ofS2OO. OOO, 600
lie further states that the Hon. Secretary has
not in any of his monthly statements for the
few months shown with n fifty millions of dol
lars the amount of money in the Treasury or
on deposit in national repositories
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

reading our paper and not his own
INTERESTING MEETING.-One of the most
interesting and earnest series of meetings
ever had in this town, is now in progress at
the Presbyterian Church, and we are glad to
learn that many persons, heretofore uncon>
cerned, have been awakened to an inquiry
after the truth. During last week, the act
ing Pastor, Rev. Mr. Bedinger, was assisted
by Rev. DR.. L-fevre of Baltimore, whose
ministrations were not unattended with sue
cess. On Sabbath last, mOrning and evening,
large and appreciative audiences had the sat
isiacton Of listening to able and searching
discnursesEfrum Rev. DIR. Stiles, perhaps one
Of the ablest ministers of his age. The DR..
we understand will probably remain during
the present, week, and aid in the continuance
OF this most Interesting and we trust, effective
meeting. In view of the sore chastiscmcnt
of war which orr nation has sustained; in
view Of the near approach of the scourge of
pestilence which we may scarcely hope to es-
cape during the coming summer; N view
of the probabilities of Il not far-distant famine
as indicated by cattle Pcstiences which are
sweeping away the sustenancc of man. and
which we thinkmay be regarded the warn
ing evidences of Gods disp!easure, we look
upon the times peculiarly appropriate for
these agents of the Most High to put forth
their NEST earnest efforts to awaken fallen
and depraved humanity to its true con ition,
and to the uncertain tenure Of its mortal OK
istence. The sermons Of DR.. Stiles on Sab
bath were well calculated to do this, and
whilst some of the seed sown may have fallen
upon sterile soil, yet others we are sure fell
upon good ground and will eventually spring
I'd to an ahundnnt hnrycSt
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

E@- Ii you want the best and most reada-
bic country paper published in Virginia, sub
scribe for the Spirit IF Jc6erson.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-03-20

There was good deal said at one time
about the eloquent argument against slavery
of Summers vacant chair" in the Senate
There are twenty-five arguments of the same
kind just at this time on behalf of reunited
Union.