Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1913-05-17

Scene: Any free school in West
Virginia.
\ Time: Present.
Oharacters: Teacher. pupils, pn,
cuts and other visitors Including
sshool officials
Teacher: Wiilie Tell, please arise
What date are ell Wost Virglnians go
Ing 10 celebrate this year!
Willie: Friday, Juno 20.
Teacher: What anniversary falls on
that date?
Willie: The Bemi-Centennial OF tbs
STAT.
Teacher: Give US tn few words
some tt.Gts about the birth OF West
Virginia.
Willie: Tho first steps that led up
10 the formation OF West Virginia us
an independent state were taken Ia
1851 On January 7, Of that year, the
Virginia General Assembly met In OK
traordinary session, and week later
ordered an election held February d.
for delegates to state convention at
the Capitol February 10. This CON
rention passed an Ordinances OF 80
ccssion April II. The vote which WAS
taken IN secret was SO in favor; IS
opposed. Meetings OF protest fol.
aoWed, burt On the 18th of juno the
Virginia Declaration Of Independo nce
was adopted IN conventicn Ordinance
feorganiZing and restoring the Vir
nj
IL. with Francis II. Pierpont as gov.
ernor.
Teacher: Worry good. Willie. Now
shall ask Ina Speaker to take up the
story from this point. Ina, what
happened next?
Ina Speaker: At meeting Of the
convention August 20 all ordnance
was passed ordering al election with.
IN the boundaries Of the new state.
Teacher: Wha+ was the date on This
meeting7
Ina Speaker: October d, 1851. II
was at this meeting that the uues-
tons Of division and Of delegates
came up. The vote for new state
was largely In it's favor, the vote be.
dng 1889 for and 4S1 against. A new
constitution was framed and ratified
by the people April 8, 1862, by vote
OF 1882 to 514.
The loyal assembly Of restored gov
eminent OF Virginia met In Wheeling.
May 18th, and gave consent CT Viz
gina to formation OF West Virginia.
Mcy 2Jth certified COPY Of the Con
stltuton was presented by Senator
Wiley m the u. 8. Senate
Bill for the admission OF West VIZ,
gin1a paused Senate July 14th. In the
House OF Repres entatives, the bill Was
made the order OF the day for Deccnr-
Der 9th. Passed the House, Doce7o-
Der 10th, end was approved, az a New
Years gift, by President Lincoln, the
night Of December 81, 1883.
The Convention which had framed
the Constitution, without emanctpa-
tfon, was recalled and reasserlblci
February IL, 1868. The emanicirstion
patch was put on, and the amended
instrument ratified March IS, 1863.
April Goth President Lincoln. hay.
ing received the certificate OF ratif-
cation, iesned q proclamation declar.
ing West Virginia a State in the Union
sixty days from that date.
June 20, 1868, West Virginia was ip-
augurated and first administrative Of.
flcers assumed their duties, at the
temporary capitol, the Linsly 1nsti-
sute, In the city Of Wheeling.
School Official: / wish to commit.
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. l also wish TO OK
press to these two pupils my pleasure
at the intelligent manner in which
they have relse1d the incidents lead.
ing up to the birth of West Virginia as
q state
You all know that there is to he ?
great celebration IN West Virginia in
honor Of the states fftieth a1niver.
sary. The official place where these
exercises are to be held is the citv
of Wheeling. An elaborate prcgrsm
Is being prepared. IN addition. how.
eya' .a his oticjai rrr"nui.1n If fHn
Gri.a vo;ice, theTe -H -. ..l,,,l.
L..