The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-02-07
CERTIFICATES.

Governor JACOB seems TO be "all tore
nm in his mind" with regard to the
election of members OF Congress IN
th;s State last fall and is not quite sure
of anything except that, at an election
held on the 22d OF August, 1872 ("pro-
viding that was the time fixed 10y law
for holding such election,") JONI J.
JACOB was chosen Governor of West
Virginia, in punishment Of the sins OF
the people. The Baltimore ST." of
Wednesday contained the following
special dispatch.
WARRINGTON, February 4.-There ap'
pears to be possibility that the State
of Yves! Virginia may lose, for a time
at least, its representation in the next
House OF Representatives. 1t will be
remembered that there were two cleo
tious held in West Virginia last year
for members OF Congress, one IN August
and one in October, and a. vet ther"
to which was legal.
It's understood that up to this tim"
Governor Jacob. of that State, has re-
fused to issue commissions to any OF the
parties who were returned at either of
the elections. The Hon. Mr.. Hereford,
at present a member OF Congress from
West Virginia, was candidate tor re-
election, summing both in August ami
October, and receiving majority OF the
votes cast each time. 1t would seem,
there fore, that there could he no doubt
a. to his election. But he Governor
mind does not appear to be satisfied on
this point, and he has issued to Mr.
Hereford what may he styled hypo'
thetical certificate The Clerk OF tn"
House decides that such certificate
will not warrant him in entering Mr..
Hereford's name on the roll OF mem
bers OF the next House.
1t appears therefore that even Mr..
HEREFORD who thought.to make as
surapce double sure and take bond OF
fate" by obtaining a majority OF the
votes cast whenever there was respec-
table pretense OF holding a Congressional
election in the Third District, is not
sufficiently elected to satisfy the donht-
ful mind Of the Governor. To him, as
we'll az to his unlucky colleagues who
were only elected orce last fall, =
Hypothetical certificate" has been is
sued by the Hypothetical statesman
who occupies the gubernatorlal char.
The result ia that the 'rhole State will
lack representation in the lower House
OF the next Congress until such time
"a It suits the Committee on Elections
to make report and have that report
adopted by the House.
We have been at a loss 10 understand
Governor JACOBS extraordinary course
in regard to the Congressional election
last fall and have seen no explanation
of it that is at all satisfactory. Several
OF the Radical papers have said that
he has done just as he ought and that
he could not have done otherwise, but
we are not convinced HIS decision as
to which was, in his opinion,
the legal election, would not bind
nor embarrass the House OF RePresen'
tatives in determining the contest
which, under any circumstances, would
have taken place. The question rs 10
which was the proper dav :or the cleo
ton would be just as fairly brought in
issue before the Congressional Conn
mittee if the Governor had decided IN
favor of one day or the other, as
it can be now that he has
refused to express an opinion in rela
ton to either. His conduct in the mat
ter seems to US utterly inexcusabIe and
full of danger to the interests of the
State. The legislature sought to have
him do his duty in regard to the mat
ter, but he has failed to respect was the
manifest intention OF the law.