Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1913-05-31

Scene: Any free school in West
Virginia.
Time: Present
Characters: Teacher, pupils, par.
ents and other visitors including
school officials.
Teacher: M!lie Tell, please arise.
What date are all West Virginans go.
ing to celebrate this Year,
Willie: Friday. June 20.
Teacher: What anniv clsary fails OH
that date?
Willie: The 6cmI-Centennfnl " the
State.
Teacher: Nvo us IN Tow words
some facts about tho birth Of West
Virginia.
Willie: Tho first steps that led uD
TO the formation OF West Virginia OK
an Independent state were taken III
tSe1. On January 7, OF that year. the
Virginia General Assembly met IN OK
eTaordlnary session, and a week later
ordered an election hold February I
Tor delegates to q state convention at
the Capitol February 12. This CON
Sention passed an Ordinance OF Sc
session April II. The vote which was
taken III secret was 80 in favor; IS
opposed. Meetings OF protest FOL.
lowed, but on tho 18th of June the
virginia Declaration OF Independence
was adopted In convention. Ordinance
reorganEing and restoring tho VIZ
E1nla state government passed Iune
10. with Francis II. Pierpont us gov.
<rnor.
Teacher: Very good. Willie. Now !
shall ask Ina Speaker to take up the
Story from this point Ina. what
happened next?
Ina Speaker: At q meeting Of the
convention August 30 an ordinance
was passed ordering an election with.
IN the boundaries of the new state.
Ieacher: What was tho date OF this
meetingr
Ina Speaker: October 81. 1851. II
was at this meeting that the uuos-
etons Of division and OF DELEGATES
came up. The vote for new state
was largely in It's favor, the vote De-
Ing 1889 for and 4S1 against. A new
constitution was framed and ratified
by the people April 3, 1862, by a vote
Of 1882 to 51J.
The loyal assembly Of restored gov
eminent of Virginia met in Wheeling.
May 18th, and gave consent Of Vir-
GINA to formation of West Virginia.
May goth certified copy Of the Con-
stltuton was presented by Senator
Wiley In the u. S. Senate
Bill for the admission Of West Viz
glnia passed Senate July 14th. In tho
House OF Representatives. the bill was
made tic order Of the day for Decciu-
Der 9TH. Passed the House, Deem
Der 10th, and was approved, az 4 New
Years gift, by President Lincoln. the
night of December 81, 1862.
The Convention which had frarned
the Constitution, without cmaucipa-
ton, was recalled and reasser,bla1
February ~, 1868. The emancipation
patch was put On. and the amended
instrument ratified March &c, 1863.
April Goth President Lincoln. hav.
ing received the certificate Of ratfi-
cation, issued proclamation declar-
Ing West Virginia q state in the Union
sixty days from that date.
June 20, 1863, West Virginia was in.
augurated and first administrative Of
beers assumed their duties. at tho
temporary capitol, the LinsIy Insti-
cute, in the city of Wheeling
School CficiaI: I wish to complI-
ment the teacher who has so success
FULLY Impressed upon the memories Of
these pupils this particular bit of his
tory that we all, young and old. should
be familiar with. | also wish to OK.
press to these two pupils my pleasure
at the intelligent manner in which
they have reltsHsd the incidents lead.
Ing up to the birth Of West Virginja as
q state.
You all know that there is to he q
great celebration IN Wo3t VIRGINIA in
honor Of the states fftieth annivcr.
sary. The Official place where thee
exercises are to be held IS tine civ
OF Wheeling. An elaborate program
Is being prepared. IN addition. how.
ever, to this official recognition Of the
Golden Jubilee, there viii be celebra.
tons everywhere 'hrC1Grogt tho et2to
--J.s