Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-10-14
Virginia Legislature.

organize by themselves a legal and loyal Le-
gislature. The Senate voted to lay the protest
on the table.
In the discussion, Republican said that he
regarded those who joined in making this pro-
test as representing the Administration and
Congress until the President and Congress
should decide otherwise.
1t was announced that General Candy had
replied to the committee Of the Legislature
which waited on him that be had no commu-
nication to make.
Governor Walker sent in message. OF
the fifteenth amendment, he says:
The people of the Commonwealth at the late
election, by an overwhelming majority, accept
ed and adop ted the principle sought to be in
corporated into the Federal Constitution by
this amendment. viz: The civil and political
equality of all men before the law. The well
known honor and integrity Of the people OF
Virginia forbid even the Supposition that they
would fail to faithfully adhere to and maintain,
while necessary and feasible, any political
principle to which they bad yielded their adj
herence. Virginia always fulltilS in the most
ample good faith all her pledges. But our peo-
pie by this action have not only placed the po-
litical rights Of all our citizens upon firm and
enduring basis, they have accomplished more
they have increased prospectively the power
and influence Of our State in the national coun-
ellis by broadening the basis Of representation.
Under the fourteenth article of the Constitution
Of the United States, when, in any State, the
right Of suffrage is abridged except for crime.
the basis of representation must be reduced in
a corresponding proportion. Although we
have wisely settled this question so far as our
State is concerned, and banished forever from
the theatre of State politics this prolific source
of irritation and diScord, there is reasonable
ground for apprehension that if the fifteenth
amendment should fail of adoption as a part Of
the Federal Constitution our State may be flood
ed with, and the control thereof pass into the
hands Of class Of emigrants from the great
States lying upon or near our borders, who
viii seek the enjoyment of those civil or politi-
cal rights accorded to them here but denied to
them there.
Self-protection, therefore, demands that we
do our part toward securing the ratification of
that amendment Our interests require it.
Our faith is pledged.
He considers the election of Senators to be
clearly a requisite to admission, and adds:
Complete restoration is accomplished by ad-
mission to representation in Congress, and there
can be no question that admission to repreSen-
tation may, to some extent. depend upon the
elected While the election of
Senators would complete every preparation
for the prompt admission of the
State t. representation in both houses Of Con-
grcss, the election of suitable men for these ex-
allied positions would unmistakably demon
Strate the sincerity Of our past action. and af-
ford a sure guarantee of our intentions and
purposes for the future.
In conclusion, he says:
Permit me to congratulate YOU upon the pro-
grcsS already made toward the restoration of
the State to civil government Its good effects
are already visible everywhere within the State.
Confidence is being restored commerce is re-
viving; mining and manufacturing enterprises
are being organized capital is seeking invest
ment in our public Improvements and in our
rich agricultural and mineral lands; and, above
and more gratifying than ALL Joy and hope are
taking the place Of gloom and dependency
peace and prosperity are once more dawning
upon our desolated land
Conscious Of the rectitude Of our own acts
motives, and intentions, and relying upon the
continued favor Of the Almighty DiSposer oil
Human Events, let MS all manfully erapplc
with the living present, and confidently hope
for a glorious future for the Commonwealth
Respectfully. GILBERT C. WALKER.
RICHMOND, Oct THE Legislature al.
journed after reading the Governors message
The Governor in his message, expresses his con.
viction that the Legislature would ratify thc
fifteenth amendment voluntarily, and even i
it was not requisite to admission. He recon.
mends the appointment at this session of tn,
standing committees, in view of the fact thai
our educational and judiciary systems must b,
remodeled and placed in harmony with tn,
constitution, and our internal improvements
demand the greatest consideration.
BIcmIoND, Oct. The caucus Of the Con.
sentative members of the Legislature tonight
resolved to adopt the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments at the session at once.
In the joint committee on the Governor.
message, to-day, a proposition by Mr.. Snow
den, of Alexandria, to add to the bill passing
the fifteenth amendment clause showing that
it was done because it was requisite to the ad.
mission of the State, was rejected only two OF
the committee voting in favor oft.
Tomorrow an amendment will be offered in
the House to make theadoption of the fifteenth
amendment conditional on admission of the
State. This proposition had no friends in the
caucus tonight. \ caucus on the senatorial
question will be held tomorrow night.
RICuNoYD, Oct S.-Both houses of the Le-
glslature to-day ratified the fourteenth and ff-
thenth amendments.
In the House there were only six votes against
them, and in the Senate ouly four against the
fourteenth and two against the fifteenth amend
meut, one of the latter being the vote of COL
orcl Republican Senator, who declined voting
for it because the Legislature is illegal.
The Legislature, by a joint resolution, then
adjourned until October Is.
In the House an amendment to the bill pass
inc the fifteenth amendment, making it take
effect on aud after the admission Of the State
10 the Union, received only five votes
In the same body a resolution was offered
that, in view of doubts expressed about the le-