Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-03-07
West Virginia legislature

after prayer, the Senate bill proposing to
amend the registrylaw, Offered by Mr.. Dhvis,I
was reported back from the Judiciary, recon-
mending that it dc not pass.
The bill reads as follows:
/. Every registrar shall register any person
claiming TO be qualified voter in the township
or ward in which he resides, who shall take and
subscribe or offer to take and subscribe, the
following oath, to-wit: al, A. B., do solemn
ly swear Tor affirmi that have not since the
lst day of June, 1861, given voluntary aid or
assistance to the rebellion against the United
States, and that will support the Constitution
of the United States, and the Constitution Of
this State" Nor shall any person be stricken
from the register by the board Of registration
unless proven not to be qualified voter, un
der the Constitution, by proper evidence there
of produced before them after due notice to him
of the facts alleged against him.
2 So much of chapter three Of the Code Of
West Virginia as is inconsistent with this act,
is hereby repealed.
On the question of its engrossment.
Mr. Davis spoke at some considerable length
urging the passage of the bill, and warning
Senators of the fate that would await them, if
they rejected this bill, citing the fate of Robes
pierre and Haman, as examples. He quoted
from Horace Greeley to show that if the Re-
publicans do not act magnanimously now
while they have the power, the power will soon
be taken from them.
Mr.. Gather, of Gilmer, in explanation of the
vote he would give, said that in the last canvass
he had pledged himself to go for repeal of the
lawyers, teachers aud suitors' test oaths, and
modification Of the registry law. He had
done all he had promised TO do The reason
he had voted against what is known As the
Wells substitute, was, in order TO pass the
amendment to the constitution, giving the right
of suffrage to the DISTINGUISHED more general
enfranchisementthan heregistry law proposed.
Mr.. Phelps made an earnest appeal to the
Republican Senators not to reject the bill al
though it came from the Democratic side of the
House. he did not care. He was willing to en-
dorse and advocate anything that was right, no
matter what party proposed it.
Mr.. Wilson read an extract from letter
written by Senator Gather, (of Gilmer,t dnring
last Falls campaign, in which he stated that
! in his opinion the time had arrived for the re-
moval of disabilities, and that if the Democrats
would favor him with their support, he would
pledge himself to vote for the repeal of the test
oaths, modification of the registry law, aud
to favor any move to enfranchiSe the dsenfran-
chised Of our State.
Mr.. Gather, of Gilmer, said he had explained
his vote on the registration bill in his former
remarks. That the only thing in the letter
quoted be regretted, was his remarks d" if the
D-mocrats would support" &c, and he felt
like the Dutchman who, when he swallowed
turpentine for whisky, said Mein Colt, if |
could only swallow him back again" That be
had voted against the Wells bill and would vote
against this, aud in favor of the Flick amend
ment as compromise measurc-thc amend
ment or nothing.
The Senate refused to order the bill to its en-
groSsment by this vote:
YEAs-Messrs Applcgate, Cook, Davis, Day
ton, Patrick, Phelps and Wilson,.
NAYS-MeSsrs. Farnsworth President, ! Bore
man, Brown, Gather tJames,) Gather u. H.
Doolittle, Gold, Hartman, Humphreys, Koonce
Leonard, Ransdell and Werninger-l4
The House of Delegates was occupied upon
the mode of conducting the trial of Judge Ear-
rison, &c.
The bill to amend the jury law so as to allow
| dSfranchiSed whites to serve on iuries came up
in order, and after some discussion was put
upon its passage with the following result
Yeas 3O-Nays IS.
NV Hs',nhOvryr appeared at the bar Of the
Senate and ANNOUNCED that the House OF Dele
gates had passed House Joint Resolution No
g. providing for the appointment Of com,
mission 60 run the line between the counties Of
Clarke and Frederick IN Virginia, and Jeiier-
son and Berkeley in West Virginia Laid on
! the table
| IN the House of Delegates on Monday 2sth
Mr.. Jackson offered . prnt resolution directing
the Auditor to ascertain from the proper au-
| thoritieS of the several counties the amount Of
taxes levied therein for the last year, the pur-
poses for which levied, and make statement
in tabular form to accompany bis next annual
report, showing the amount Of such taxes and
the several purposes for which they were lai1,
with the State tax that year. including taxes
for schools, so as to show the 6urthen upon the
people Of the several counties of the State in
the form of taxation, and showing the per cent
OF said burthen on the real and personal prop
erty of the several counties. Adopted.
Mr.. Brannon fr,m the special Committee to
investigate into alleged determinations by the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad against citizens If
this State, reported that the Committee had
had several meetings but found it impossible ~
discharge their duties during the present ses-
sion
a message from His Exoellency, the Cover
nor, transmitted communication addressed to
him by the Virginia Commissioners appointed
to confer with Commissioners from this State
in regard to the adjustment of the debt. The
Governor informs the House that these Com
misslonerS on the part Of Virginia have arrived
in the city, and express desire that this State
will take early action in reference to their mis-
sion. His Excellency respectfully asks the
attention of the House 10 the communication
Of these gentlemen and such consideration Of
tho subject involved as may be possible at this
late day il the session.
The Commissioners say they regret 10 learn
that the idea is entertained here that the ap-
pontment Of commissioners on the part Of
West Virginia should be postponed until the
controversy between these States in reference
TO Berkeley and jefferson has been determined
They say the controversy does not appear b.
furnish any sufficient reason for delay. The
terms Of settlement may be agreed upon, 50 as
to be applicable to these counties, whichever
way the question in reference 10 them may be
determined. 1t is, they say, in every way de-
sirabe and important that the adjustment Of
the debt should be effected with the least pos
sihle delay. They therefore venture to express
the hope that the authorities of West Virginia