The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-03-08
Frnnn Ricr,rnnnd.

In addition TO the extracts which we
give from several Virginia newspapers
on our first page, we have by last
nights mails the later issues of the
Richmond press of Wednesday. The
Reconstruction bill is still their hobby,
and apparently engages the almost ex-
elusive attention of the people over
there. The Legislature seems to be at
its wits end to tell what to do. The
great quandary is whether or not to
call convention, and whether or not
to take n recess before doing so and
consult the people. The Wing newspa-
per believes the situation to be such as
to admit of no delay, and in an article
headed shot and cOld' saterizes the
hesitation OF the Legislature. 1t asks
whether their vaciIlation is "statesman-
ship or child's play?" Why was an
extra session demanded and the call
for it urged upon the Governor, if now
recess is to be taken, it wants to
know. II says that emo sensible
man doubts that there will be
a convention in Virginia under the Ste
vens-Sherman act. II the legislature
do not call it, the presumption is that
It will be called by the military COM
mandant." And worse still, it adds:
"If neither the Legislature nor the
commanding General move in the mat
ter, 1t is certain the newly en- frauchised
class, under the prompting and lead of
the knaves who are endeavoring to use
that class for their own base ends, will
get up what will pass for Convention,
and will be endorsed at Washington.
If the Legislature make the cali, we
may reasonably expect that the election
will be conducted in the mode to which
we are accustomed, under Judges and
criers appointed by the civil authori-
ties. If the Legislature decline to make
the call, and II is left to the military
ruler. it can hardly be doubted that he
will put the polls in the hands of his
subordtnates, who will decide who
shall vote and who fhall not; who shall
be considered eligible and who not. II
the convention be got up under the
auspices of the new voters and the low
demagogues who are trying to mislead
them, 1t Is unnecessary to say what we
may expect.
We will only add that there are CO.
gent reasons why the election should
lay"
From an article in the Dispatch news
paper on the feeling of the people in
regard to the situation, we make the
following extract:
We saw yesterday several letters
from leading citizens in the country
which indicate that the people have not
July made up their minds upon the
"situation" and what is best to be done
for Virginia. They have not recovered
from their surprise at all events. The
writers, however, assured the delegates
to whom they wrote that the people |
would sustain them in calling con
vention. Only little time was needed |
10 enable them to see the strait to which |
the State is brought, and that there is !
no alternative to protect the public |
welfare All ofthe writers urged mem |
bers TO act at once, declaring that the |
e1igsncy admitted of no delay, and |
assuming that the path of duty was
plain, and no man who was fit to repre-
sent the people could hesitate ut such a
time TO take the responsibility.
The idea of the negroes having nj
ready commenced to vote, as at Alex |
andria, is intensely disgusting to the |
Richmond editors. Gov. Peirpoint. |
however. has a stronger stomach, hav-
ing been raised out here in West Vir-
ginin, where people are not so dainty.
aud therefore telegraphs in the follow
ing decided manner to a citizen at
Alexandria, somewhat known here in
Wheeling as delegate to the I.egisln- |
tnre in the days of the restored govern
ment:
RIcHMoNn, VA. March l, 1867.
John Haiszhurst, Esq, Alexandria,
PtT9iafd:
DEAR SIR-In reply to your favor
asking my opinion as to who are to |
vote at the municipal elections this
spring under the act of Congress.
known as the, Sherman bill, providing
for the more efficient government of the
rebel States, commonly called the milf
tary BILL L have the honor to answer
that have examined the law. 1t will |
be IN force from the time of its passage.
MI male citizens over the age of TWEEN
ty-one years are entitled to vote at all
elections, except those DISQUALIFIED
The colored people are undoubtedly
entitled to vote, under the bill, mt your
municipal election, If the bill passes
Congress before the election day comes.
am yours, &C.,
+. II. PEIRPoISr.