Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-02-15


the question, but replied that they were so
blotted lie could not make anything out of
them. lie further stated that the books he
sent out to the respective townships were the
| books that nc received The question was
also asked whether Mr.. Washington Moler's
name was en- the book when he received it,
He answered that it was not; that neither
MIR. w Moler's nor Mr. Dukes ever should
be. am a member of the Board and intend
to remain one.
The testimony of Mr.. Hawn was that he
was member of the Board of registration
and still remained sol The question was
asked of Mr. Hawn, What do you know
about the books 2" He answered that they
were signed and sealed and ready to be sent
out to the respective townships the next morn
ing. The question was asked, ''Was AIr. w.
Moler's name on the registry books Z" He
answered, ''Yes; put it on" He was asked
the question, "Did you see the books at the
election 2" He answered, 81 only saw two"
"Were they the same books that you helped
to sign aud seal % lie answered, They
were not The question was asked ''Were
you drunk when the books were signed aud
sealed 2" lie answered, Il was drunk as
am nov; l never was drunk but once in my
life"
The above testimony leads me to inquire,
first, were the parties, Roderick and Under
donk, properly authorized to take possession
of the books after they were made up? Mr..
Underdonk, although formerly member of
the Board, was not one when he aided in
seizng tie books The records in the Gov
errors office show that his successor was ap>
pointed September 18th, 1869. But had
frederick an official right to control of the
books? Rnderick, in his testimony before
the Grand Jury says that he had commission
from the Governor as member of the Board
but on November 10Th. 1869, the records in,
the office bore no proof of his appointment.
On that day the Governors book showed that
Messrs Hawn, Etchison aud Traynor COM
posed the Board But for all this, it is not to
be denied that Roderick received his COM
mission before he aided in scizing and altering
the books of the Board. | have since ascer-
tanned and now state that blank commission
was sent to certain parties in Jefferson county,
lust before the election, and that ROder.ck s
name was then filled in and he was COM
missiOned not by tae Governor, but by another
person to whom the power was delegated. 1T
is clear to my mind why the Governors record
on November 25th bore no proof of this ap-
pointment. The Executive bad not then
been informed who. had been commissioned
by his deputy. Since that time, find, the
information has reached him and the record
has been amended and dated back 10 cover
all contingencies. But l have in my posses
sion letter dated November 25th, from the
present Clerk of the House, informing me
that after examining the Executive journal,
he found the history of the Board Of regiStra-
ton in Jefferson county for the year 1869 as
follows
September l5th-W. 3. Chambers. ap-
pointed V5ce Underdonk Traynoraud Turner
recommissioned.
October l1th-J. Il. Hawn appointed vice
Turner
October 15th-Etchison appointed pice
Chambers.
IEawn, Taylor and Etchison were therefore
in the Board There is no mention of Ro-
derrick, who says under oath that he had
commission signed by the Governor, given
hin, he knew not by whom The amendment
in the Executive journal referred to, con-
firms his testimony and show that other per-
sous besides the Governor were concerned in
the commissioning of Rodcrick and that the
Executive did not know who had been COM
mlssioned until long after the. election was
over.
The testimony Of James Stephenson before
the grand jury in question, was that he was
informed it had been sent to Bolivar and then
taken back to Shepherdstown, no effort hav-
ing been made te deliver it to him. This,
in connection with the erasu!es as proved in
the cases of Mcssrs N oler and Duke, shows
how the registration lists were treated after
Underdonk, Roderick and Traynor got pos
session of them.
submit these facts for your consideration.
obtrude no argument. From these state
ments you can judge for yourselves how far
the present registration system condUces 20
honesty and justice, and how far abuses OF,
the apIointing power and of the authority
now welded by the registrars may need COR
rection Wishing nothing but good to my
State and fair play to all her citizens, l have
addressed YOU in this manner and now leave
the subject in your hands
T. II. CHAMBERS.