Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-02-15
ALL THE Land RECORDS
Pertaining to West Virginia Terri
tory, 10 be Turned Over.
1T IS IMPORTANT TO THIS STATE,
Ard the Possession Of These Records Will Save n
Immense Amount Of Trouble and Expense %
Land-HOldsrs in Wss, virginis--Gov.
erncr Flsnings Earnest Work.

among the archives OF our own State
ali the various records relating to titles
TO real estate within the borders OF
West Virginia, and with view to re-
lieving the people Of the necessity and
expense OF sending an attorney 10 Rich
mond when IL Is necessary to trace .
title back To the Commonwealth, Gov
ernor Fleming visited Richmond In last
November, held conference with the
Governor OF Virginia, and afterwards
addressed him q communication indi-
eating what books and papers he de-
sired 10 be delivered TO this State and
OF what others the privilege OF copying
was wanted.
This communication, which appeared
In the columns OF the REGISTER, was
submitted by Governor Mckinney 10 the
Virginia Assembly. then In session, bya
special message. Fearing that In tho
pressure OF other business the matter
might be neglected or overlooked, Gov
ernor Fleming appointed Col. B. w.
Byrne, of this place. to 90 70 Richmond
and give the matter personal attention.
AT first considerable opposition was Of
fered, not only on the part OF some citI-
zens OF Virginia, but by members OF the
General Assembly. After the bill has
passed the Senate, where II was intro.
duced, and at the instance of Colonel
Byrne, Governor Fleming visited Rich
mond where he remained several days,
and during which time the bill passed
the House OF Delegates without dis
senting voice.
In the discussion OF the matter in the
Virginia Assembly, members spoke In
kIndliest terms OF West Virginia, and
referred 10 her as "the youngest daugh-
ter OF Virginia" TO Col. Byrne tho
people Of West Virginia owe debt OF
gratitude for his efforts In their behalf;
and the interest Governor Fleming has
taken In the matter and the success at
tanned will commend themselves 10 all
who appreciate their worth. Not only
TO save expense and trouble was IL Inn
portant that these records should be the
property Of the State, but IL should be
matter OF State pride to have within
our own State all records relating TO the
titles OF our own lands. The land-law-
yers OF this section have for years urged
that these records should be procured,
and are now greatly pleased with the
result OF the efforts made In that dlrec-
tion.
The original papers to be surrendered
under the terms OF the bill will be de-
livered TO an agent 10 bo appointed
by Governor Fleming 70 receive them,
aud Col. Byrne has been selected 10 dis
charge this service. 1t is likely that au-
ditor Duffy will accompany him 10 Rich
mond, as large quantity Of books and
papers are TO be turned over To this
State and all must be subjected TO n
joint examination In advance. IL Is not
probable that the authorities can give
the matter attention, however, until az
ter the adjournment OF the Virginia
Assembly. The grants aud surveys.
which West Virginia will have the
privilege OF copying, cannot In fact be
copied until our Legislature shall meet
and appropriate money 10 defrsy the
expense. The following Is q copy OF
the bill, passed by the Virginia Assem-
bly,, approved by the Governor, aud
which has now become a law.
An Act 10 authorize the Auditor OF
Public Accounts and the Register OF
the Land Office TO deliver 10 the State
OF West Virginia certain OF the orig
inal title papers respecting lands in
the State OF West Virginia, and to au-
thorize the said State to obtain copies
OF such title papers TO lands as can
not be properly so delivered.
One-Be u enacted by The General As
sernbty Of Virginia, That the Auditor Of
Public Accounts shall deliver to any
person whom the Executive OF this State
shall certify 10 him 10 be officially APP
pointed by the State OF West Virginia
to receive the same, all the books and
reports OF the commissioners OF tbs
revenue In which lands were assessed
with taxes In any county now la the
State OF West Virginia, and also the
Sheriffs' delinquent lists and the reports
OF sale by Sheriffs OF lands delinquent
for taxes and all evidence OF the
redemption OF any such lands from the
time OF the formation OF such county 10
the year eighteen hundred and sixty
three. or the time any such county be-
came one OF the counties OF West Vir-
ginia, and ~ any county now In the
State OF West Virginia was taken In
whole or in part from any county now
remaining In Virginia, so that the Com
missiopers' land books OF such county
contain the assessments OF lands with
taxes up 70 the formation OF any such
county, part OF which lands are nov In
the State OF West Virginia, the Auditor
shall cause copies thereof 10 be made
under his supervision and direction,
upon such terms as may be agreed upon
by him and the agent OF the State OF
West Virginia. who may be appointed
for that purpose az the expense OF the.
State OF West Virginia, which copies
shall be certified aud subscribed BY the
said Auditor, who shall thereunto anr
his seal OF Office.
Tvo-Be Il further enacted, That the
Register OF the Land Office shall cause 10
be copied at the expense OF the State OF
West Virginia under his supervision
and direction, on such terms ss may De
agreed upon between him and the agent
OF the State Of West Virginia, who may
be appointed for that purpose, sll sur
yeys and patents OF lands COW Iying IN
anv Of the counties OF the State OF Wess
y,rgInfa. which are recorded In the OF
Coo ~ the Register Of the Land once
~ this State, which copies when msoe
shall be certified and subscribed oy tns
said Register. who shall therennto snA
his seal OF Office. -.
Thres-Thls act shall be in iorcs
from the passage thereof
~
n n I4sseox fs critically III, but d.,