Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-06-05
JUNE 20 WILL NOT ONLY MARK
WEST WRGlNIA's FiFTIETH
BIRTHDAY BUT ALSO
STATEWIDE cELE-
BRATloN.
WEST VIRGINIA AROUSED
Official Celebration In Wheeling viii
Be Supplemented BY Observance
Throughout the State of Golden
Jubilee.

Virginia.
Time: Present.
Characters: Teacher, pupils. par
ents and other visitors including
school officials.
Teacher: Willie Tell, please arise.
What date are all West Virginians go
ing to celebrate this year?
Willie: Friday, June 20.
Teacher: What anniversary falls on
that date?
Willie; The Semi-Centennial of the
State.
Teacher: Give us in few words
some facts about the birth of West
Virginia.
to the formation of West Virginia as
an Independent state were taken in
1861. On January 7, of that year, the
Virginia General Assembly met in ex-
traordinary session, and a week later
ordered an election held February 4,
for delegates to a state convention at
the Capitol February 10. This con-
cession April II. The vote which was
taken in secret was So in favor; 55
opposed. Meetings of protest fol-
lowed, but on the 18th of June the
Virginia Declaration of independence
was adopted in convention. Ordinance
reorganizing and restoring the Viz
ginia state government passed June
Sc
ernor.
Teacher: Very good, Willie. Now l
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 an ordinance
was passed ordering an election with
in the boundaries of the new state.
Teacher: What was the date of this
meeting?
Ina Speaker; October "a, 1861. 1t
was at this meeting that the ques-
tions of division and of delegates
came up. The vote for a new state
was largely in it's favor, the vote be-
ing 1883 for and 4S1 against A new
constitution was framed and ratified
by the people April 3, 1862, by vote
of 1852 to 514.
The loyal assembly of restored gov
eminent of Virginia met in Wheeling,
May 18th, and gave consent of Vir-
ginia to formation of West Virginia.
May goth certified copy of the Con-
stitution was presented by Senator
Wjl1pv n tho Gnnata
Bill for the admission of West Vir-
ginia passed Senate July 18th In the
House of Representatives the bill was
made the order of the day for Deem
Der 9th. Passed the House, Deem
Der 10th, and was approved, as a New
Years gift, by President Lincoln, the
night Of December 81, 1862.
The Convention which had framed
the Constitution, without emancipa-
ton, was recalled and reassembled
February IL, 1868. The emancipation
patch was put on, and the amended
instrument ratified March 26, 1863
April goth President Lincoln, hav-
ing received the certificate of ratifi-
cation, issued proclamation declar-
ing West Virginia State IN the Union
sixty days from that date
June 20, 1863, West Virginia was in
augurated and first administrative Of
fcers assumed their duties, at the
temporary capitol, the Linsly Insti-
tute, in the city of Wheeling.
School Official: / 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. l also wish to ex-
press to these two pupils my pleasure
at the intelligent manner in which
they have related the incidents lead
ing up to the birth of West Virginia as
a state.
You all know that there is to be a
great celebration in West Virginia in
honor of the states fiftieth anniver-
sary. The official place where these
exercises are to be held is the city
of Wheeling. An elaborate program
is being prepared. In addition, how
ever, to this official recognition of the
Golden Jubilee, there will be celebra-
tions everywhere throughout the state.
/ want the children of our great free
school system to take lively interest
in this great event, and assist in ev-
cry way they can to make the day
one long to be remembered. The
Semi-Centennial Commission has been
very much interested in the schools
and school children of our state and
are going to present two flags to ev-
cry school-one U. s. flag and one
state flag-the latter made and de-
signed especially for the celebration
June 20. You young people should
play prominent part in the exer-
cises in commemoration of the states
natal day and the Semi-Centennial
Commission will undoubtedly see to it
that a place is reserved for you in
the program. In addition to any for
NAL part that YOU may take, however.