Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-02-14
To the Legislature of West Virginia,
WHEELING, Febr nary s. 1870.

may not be unwelcoEie in your deliberations.
| VIA preface what have TO say upon the
registration law by remarking, that represent
ed the county Of Jefferson in the House of Del
egatcs in 1868. was then and am still Re-,
publican. In October 1869 was nominated
by the Republicans of Jefferson county for a
seat in the present House. Of my political
status there can therefore be no question.
During my candidacy in October last there
was a difficulty in our county about Board Of
registration. IL was rumored, and under
stand stated by the Governor himself, that
owing TO that difficulty the people Of Jefferson
would probably have no election. But after
Governor Stevenson had personally visited
the county Board Of registration was appoint
ed. There were some changes back and for
ward, but the Board that acted Just before the
election consisted Of Messrs. Eawn, Etchissn
and Traynor. After these men had made up
the lists, prepared the books for the election,
and sealed them a CERTAIN Mr.. Cnderdonk, who
had formerly been President of the Board, but
was not then one of its members, went to Mr.
Fayman, Clerk Of the Beard after the books
had been thus completed, and partly by threats
procured possession of those books. After
Cuderdonk had taken possession ofthem they
fell into the hands of Traynor, member ofthe
Board which prepared them, AMI one Hezekiah
Roderck, who claimed to have been commiss-
Toned rs county registrar after the Board before
named had been appointed and organized, and
after the work for the election was done.
Nlar la alncfion CANA he ponas NJ
persons who were registered, when the Board
completed its work. were missing from the
books Considerable excitement prevailed in
consequence, the authority of Rodrick and
company 10 take possession Of and alter the
books which the Board had completed and
sealed being generally questioned. At the
next term Of the Circuit Court for Jefferson
county the Grand Jury inquired into the case.
The testimony taken may he gathered from
the following statements Of members of the
Grand Jury Mr.. Weshsns says:
On the evening of our election day in October
LAST, there was a good deal Of excitement and
complaint against the Board Of registration by
persons who had registered and'whose names
we're not on the hooks when they came to the
polls to vote They said they had received no
notice to appear before the Board.
The matter being brought before the Grand
Jury at the November term Of Court, the Board
of registrars and others were summoned to
testify in the matter.
Mr.. John Hawn, member Of the Board, be-
ing Intercepted answered as follows | was a
member of the last Board of registrars, and
the books sent to the polls were not the hooks
made ont by said Board. | told you so on
the evening of the election. Mr. Underdonk
had taken the books and refused TO give them
up, he not being a member Of the Board.
Mr.. Charles Traynor, member Of the Board,
said he was not obliged TO give testimony to
eliminate himself, and refused 10 testify.
Mr.. Underdonk, in answer to the question
how came you by the books? ?" said that
Etchison and Hawn were both drunk, and
therefore he took charge Of them.
Mr. HeZekiah Roderick, member Of the
last Board, being Intercepted, said that the
books were so scratched and scrubbed over,
that they were not fit to be sent to the polls.
Mr. LebbeuS Etchison, an important wit
ness it was said, could not be found, The
Jury were nearly unanimous for an indictment,
bnt it being late in the day, and Court having
adjourned and the witnesses not all examined,
we reported to the Judge accordingly. who
dicharged us without our being able to finish
our work
Messrs Joseph D. Holmes and Washington
Spangler, members of the Grand Jury, say;
Mr. Fayman, acting as Clerk Of the Board
Of registration, testified that the Books were
sealed and locked up ready for sending to the
respective townships, and Mr. Cnderdouk
came and demanded the books He Mr. Fay
man asked him where he got his authority
aud Mr.. Underdonk replied by SAYING, ""I'll
have the books, and also threatened to put
him in Jail
The testimony Of Mr.. Underdonk was that
they were not the proper parties to have the
books He was asked If they were not the
proper Board Of registration, and be answered,
Yes" The question was then asked, "Whv
did you demand the bookS?' He answered by
SAYING they were all drunk He therefore
took the books home and locked them up.
The testimony of Mr. Traynor was that he
could not answer the questions without COM
hitting himself.
The testimony Of Mr. Roderick was that he
had his commission in his pocket with the
Governors name signed He was asked
Who gave Won your commission ?" He an
swered, 90 hardly know. but I've got it,
lie was asked II the books were sealed up
when he got them. He would not answer the
question, but replied that they were so blotted
he could not make anything out Of them. He
further stated that the books he sent ont to
the respective townships were the books that he
received. The question was also asked
whether Mr.. Washington Moler's name was
on the book when he received it, He answer
ed that it was not that neither Mr.. W Mo-
ler's nor Mr.. Dukes Ger should be. I am a
member Of the Board and intend to remain
one.
The testimony Of Mr. Hawn was that he
was a member Of the Board Of registration
and still remained So. The question was asked
Of Mr. Hawn, " What DO you know about the
hooks p lie answered that they were signed
and sealed and ready 10 be sent out to the
respective townships the next morning. The
question was asked. Was Mr.. W. Moler's
name on the registry books ?" He answered.
" Yes put it on He was asked the ques-
ton, Did YOU see the books at the election ?"
He answered. only saw two" Were thew
the same hooks that you helped to sign and
seal % lie answered, "They were not" The
question was asked, We're YOU drunk when
the books were signed and sealed?" He an
swered ' was as drunk as I am now ; new
er was drunk but once in my life"
The above testimony leads me to inquire
first we've the parties, Roderick and Under
donk, properly authorized 10 take possession of
the books after they were made up? Mr.. I'm
derdOnk although formerly member Of the