The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-11-24
From Yves. ,sirsissia-FFsc CaIas-Cou-
crcsssncu-E;isi,osW White.

\ letter to tue Dispatch from Charleston,
kanuwha, says:
The Legislature is working away very
quietly but very satisfactorily 10 the people
nj iar.e, who are clamorollS for laws conso-
nant with the new Constitution, and also for
4 short session. Among the most important
bills passed by the Legislature is one enti-
tied An act giving the consent OF the Lc-
-ismturc Of West Virgins. to the purchase
by the United States OF land within this
State for public purposes" The object OF
| this bill is to facilitate the effort TO be made
| this winter to secure an appropriation from
| Congress for the james River and kanaw BIZ
canal. There is no scheme or topic which
cXctcs 50 general interest in this State ;>
| the canal question. Il good deal Of conf
dcucc is felt in the success Of this measure,
| especially since the hearty cooperation OF
| the western states. Nothing could impede
the progress OF the Firginias should this
| great water-line be completed.
Another law passed by the Legislature,
| but which has not been approved by the Go
| vernon, and which cXciteS considerable COM
meut and attention, is Il hill entitled "An act
recurring the executive officers ofthis : tate to
certify the election OF the members OF the For
| ty-third Congress OF the United States from
| The several districts OF this State 1t may
| be remembered that we had quite a middle
| in our congressional elections last Fall. The
code of the State provided that the election
| Of congressman should take place on the
| fourth Thursday OF October, the day Of the
General election Of members OF the LcglSla-
tlIre. Tic Constitutional Convention last
win,rrayeara ago changed the day oithc gene
raj election from the third Thursday of Octo-
Der to the 22d day Of August, but made no re-
ference to members OF Congress, on the
ground. it was said, that the naming OF the
time and place Of electing representatives to
Congress was Il privilege granted by the
Federal Constitution to the Legislatures OF
the several States, and it was not in the pro-
vince OF the Constitution to change the tlnc.
Thersupon the Democrats voted on Inc
fourth Thursday of October, ana carried the
elections. The Republicans voted on hoth
davs-in October aud on the 22d day OF All
gust as well. The consequence was that
there were Il double set OF returns. Inc nleiil'
Der from this hcThird congressional district,
Hon. Frank Hereford, WAS elected on Doth
DAYS. The result would then be that il the
Governor granted certificates to those eecteu
in October all three Democrats would re-
ceive them. If, on the other hand, he gave
them to those claiming to be elected on the
o2d Of August, the day fixed for the general
election of members Of the Legislature, &c,
by the Convention, two Republicans ana
on, Democrat would receive the certificates.
The advantage Of securing the certificate
vouId be TO give the member holding IL Il
seal until the matter should be decided by
the House of Representatives. But the Go-
vernon refused to give certificates 10 any one,
and issued what is known in this State lis us
.doubc-larrelled proclamation" one oar
rel WAS charged to the effect that il the i0tlftll
Thursday of October was The true day OF
election. then s0.and-so were elected; the
other. that if the 22d of August was the true
day of election, then So-and-so were eiectea'
and # neither day was correct, then no one
WAS elected. So the State had Il very pro-
missing prospect of having no representation
in Congress this wintcr-a session, 100,
which may possibly be the most I'M
por,nnt TO the welfare of this State
Of any since its formation. As the
Governor, then, has refused to issue
any certificates, the Legislature have passed
tue bill in question, which reclicS tilat
"whcreus the duty OF a>ccrlalnlnS VINO
were elected TO the House of Representa-
tiycs of the Congress OF the United States
from the several districts Of The State OF
West Virginia has not been performed by
the officer upon whom il Was dcvolrcd by
law, BY reason whereof the said State will
be without representation in the House OF
Representatives ut meeting OF the Forty
third Congress, and the Interests OF the peo-
ula of the said State i'll said body for con-
siderable length Of time neglected ana un'