Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-01-26

VIRGINIA RECoNsTRUCTIo INVESTIGATION.
The Washington correspondent OF the baiu-
more Sun gives the following:
THE reconstruction committee held anotner
long session Yesterday over Virginia. Rev Mr..
Phelps made long argument In favor OF con
frming the title to the church property now ID
DISPUTE between the two divisions of the Metho-
dest Church, in the NJ. f. branch, as now pro-
vided for in the Wells constitution. Had he
been q member of the constitutional conven
ton he should only have advocated giving to
the nj. +. Church the church property Win n
was located north of the line.
The matter in dispute is OF importance to q
very large class Of people in Virginia. The
clause in the Wells constitution which called
forth Mr. Phelp PISS argument proposes to give
to the NJ E. Church the fee simple OF all the
Methodist Episcopal church property in the
same way as it was held before the war. 1t
will be remembered that since the war, the
State Legislature, at the session OF 1866 and
1867 vested all church property 10 the several
congregations, and as nlnety-hVe per cent. OF
the congregations are now acting with the
Methodist Church South, if the law Is not
changed the property is diverted from the NJ.
r. Church. The question comes up Incident
ally 10 connection with the general reconstruc-
ZION vi GHG Oldlc vi llSinld, dLu tiiO SO'!A
mittee on reconstruction will consider 1t ID
connection with other questions
During the examination to-day, Mr.. Beck
asked if the NJ. E. Church had any congrega-
tions waiting to take possession OF these
churches?
Mr. Phelps replied that they had no congre-
cations at present, but if they could get pos
session of the churches, they had strong hopes
of being able to build up congregations. Mr..
Phelps complained of social and business os-
tracsm of Union men in Virginia.
Mr.. Whittlesy of Alexandria, editor Of a
radical party paper, testified as to cases of out
rage on loyal men, both whites and blacks, and
related o very paintive tale OF the woes which
befel northern settler. A Massachusetts,
schoolmaster had located in Warrenton, where
he taught the ideas of both juvenile and adult
blacks how to shoot So much was he ignored
by his neighbors that he had to live 10 the
Schoolhouse. This man who was hero II ever
he (Whittesey) saw one, made an engagement
to marry Virginia lady, and did marry her.
He sent for conveyance to take him to the
depot, when the rebel hackman sent back word
that he would not take him for the price OF
the hack, and the Massachusetts hero and his
bride had to trudge it to the depot on foot.
Mr.. Norris, an Alabama carpet-bagger, now
on the committee, was much exercised by TINS
recital, and asked whether any ofthe conserva
tive papers Of Virginia had condemned this IN
famous outrage, and on receiving negative
reply expressed great Indignation The wit
ness, related several other Incidents of which
the above is sample, to prove the continued
disoyalty OF Virginia
Rev Mr.. Elder, Methodist preacher, testi-
fed to the committee that society in Virginia
was in a fearlulIy bad condition, neither per.
son nor property being safe, and that he could
not preach a sermon there without having two
revolvers 10 his pocket that he would be egged
if he we're unarmed, ETC. To this Mr. Brooks,
member Of the committee, remarked that the
reverend gentleman would require whole bat
terry of guns to protect him in New York, if he
should speak as violently of the people in the
latter State as he represented himself as speak
ing relative to the interests Of the citizens Of
Virginia