Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-02-15
How the Rights OF the,PeopIe are Tram
pied Under FOGt.
Tie Sacred Right Mt Franchise made the
Sport "BiackIegs and Drunken
Fd0G6On6S"

| FG9d6On0S.
We publish below communication ad-
dressed to the Legislature, by Il. II. Cham
bcrs, ESQ, of this county, which we trust
every honest man will carefully peruse, and
whether he be conservative, or has heretofore
acted with the party who have connived at
such outrages, determine if these enormities
should be longer permitted.
WuEELIxG, February g. 1870.
To tie Legislature of ITest Frginia:
/ AS you are considering the question
of amending the registration law of our State,
desire to lay before you few plain truths,
nd~hOpe that they may not be unwel-
come in your deliberations. [ will preface
what | have to say upon the registration law
by remarkins, that represented the county
Of Jefferson in the House of Delegates, in
| 1869. | was then and am still Republican.
In October 1869. was nominated by the
| Republicans OF Jefferson county for seat in
the present House. Of my political status
there can therefore be no question.
During my candidacy in October last there
was difficulty in our county aboat u Board
of Registration. 1t was rumored, aud [ un-
t!crs'and stated by the Governor himself, that
owing 20 that difficulty the people of Je fer
son you'd probably have no election. But
after Coy. Stevenson had personally visited
the county, Board of Registration was ap-
pointed. There were some changes back aud
forward, but the Board that acted just before
the election consisted Of Mcssrs. uawn, Etch
ison aud Traynor. After these men had
made up the lists, prepared the books tor,the
election, and sealed them, u certain MIR. I'M
dcrdnnk, who had formerly been president of
the Board, but was not then a member, went
TO Mr. Fayman, Clerk of the Board, after the
hooks had been thus completed, and partly
by threats procured possession of those books.
After Uuderdonk had taken possession Of
them they fell into the hands of Traynor,
member Of the Board which prepared them,
and one IIezekiah Rudcrick, who claimed to
have been commissioned as county registrar
after the Board before named had been ap
pointed and organized, and after the work for
the election was done.
When the election came on, tho names of
persons who were registered, when the Board
completed its work, were missing from the
books. Considerable excitement prevailed
in consequence, the authority Of Eodcrick
and company to take possession Of and alter
the books which tho Board had completed
aud sealed betrg generally questioned. At
the next term Of the Circuit Court for JET.
ferson county. the grand jury inquired into
the case. The testimony taken may be gath
cred l:oin the following statements of MEM
bers of the grand jury. Mr.. Welshans says:
On the evening of our election day in Oc-
tober last, there was good deal OF excite.
ment aud complaint against the Board of
Registration by persons who had registered
and whose names were not on the books when
they came to the polls to vote. They said
tEev had received no notice to appear before
the Board.
The matter being before the grand jury at
the November term Of the court. the Board
of Registration and others we're summoned to
testify in the matter
Mr.. John lawn, a member Of the Board,
being iutcrrogatcd, answered as follows: l
was a member Of tho last Board of Registra-
ton. and the books sent to the polls were not
the books made out by said Board. l told
YOU so on the evening of the election. Mr..
Underionk had taken the books and refused
to give them up, he not being member Of
the Board
Mr.. Charles traynor, member of the
Board, said he was not obliged to give tcsti-
mony to crimuate himself, and refused to
testify.
Mr.. Underdonk, in answer to the question,
chow came you by the books ?" said that
EtchiSon and IIawn were both drunk, and
therefore he took charge Of them.
Mr. Iczckiah Rodcrick, member of the
last Board, beng interrngatcd said that the
books we're so scratched ana scribb!cd over,
that they we're not fit to be sent to the polls
Mr.. Lebheus E;chiSon, an Important wit
ness. it was said, could not be found. The
iurv were nearly unanimous for indct-
ment. but it being late in the day, and Court
having adjourned and the witnesses not all
exauiued, we reported to the Judge accord
iugjv. who discharged Us WithoIt our being
able 10 finish our work.
NIessrs. Joseph d. Holmes and Washington
SrangIcr. members Of the Grand Jury. say
Mr.. Fayman, acting as Clerk Of the Board
of registration, testified that the books were
scaled and locked up ready for sending to the
respective townships. and Mr.. Underdonk
came and demanded the books. He (Mr.
Fayman) asked him where he got his au-
th6rjtv. and Mr. Underdonk replied by say
inr, III hare the books" and also threat
cucd to put him in jail.
The testimony of Mr.. Underdonk was that
they were not the proper parties to have the
, hooks. He was asked if they were not the
nroner Board OF Registration, and he answered
Yes" The question was then asked, why
did YOU demand the books?" he answered
By saying they were all drunk. lie therefore
| took the books home and locked them up.
The testimony of Mr.. Traynor was that he
could not answer the questions without COM
mtting 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 you your commission = lie
answered, 81 hardly know, but I've got it..