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Staunton Vindicator: May 28, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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Summary: Issues another plea for Virginians to register to vote so they can defeat the Underwood constitution. Also emphasizes the sections dealing with taxation and mixed public schooling, which the editor particularly abhors.

Full Text of Article:

If there is one duty more imperative than another, at this time, it is that of Registration.

In a short time the revision and correction of Registration lists in this State will take place. Many failed to register heretofore, others have changed their localities, some are voters now who were not before, and all the old voting precincts are re-established. It is therefore absolutely necessary for each and every man to see that he is properly registered at his voting precinct, in order that his right as a voter can not be questioned.

It is vitally important to the interests of the State that every voter should be registered properly. Those who failed to register before from lurkewarmness or other causes must not longer fail to register.

The issue is one of life or death to the State and their votes may turn the scale.--A constitution is to be presented to the people of the State, which, if adopted, is likely to impoverish her people by the immensely increased burden of taxation. There can, therefore, be no reasonable excuse given by any for further lukewarmness. If that constitution be adopted and the votes of those who fail to register would have turned the scale the responsibility will rest upon them. We are satisfied that none would like to bear the onerous responsibility of the adoption of a proscriptive Constitution and one which will sap the prosperity, if it does not impoverish every individual in the State. As an evidence that we do not exaggerate the case, we quote the following from the Richmond Examiner & Enquirer:

"We beg leave to invite the attention of the voters of the Commonwealth to the consideration of the enormous field for taxation which the Underwood constitution opens up. The State poll tax as fixed by the constitution cannot exceed one dollar on every male citizen, twenty-one years of age; and the county poll tax cannot exceed fifty cents--In 1867, by an examination of the returns in the Auditor's office, it appeared that only about one negro in four had paid his poll tax, and the entire poll tax, State and county, that will be paid by the negroes has been estimated at about $40,000. All the rest of the taxes will come out of the property of the State, and out of the whites. It will be at least four times what it was under our old State government. They have been estimated as high as $9,000,000. The free schools to be established will alone require double the taxes which we formerly paid. Then the swarm of county officers are to be paid by taxes wrung from the whites--magistrates, supervisors, assessors, collectors constables, township clerks, school trustees, road commissioners &c. &c."

There is no escape from this if the "expurgated constitution" with the County organization and Free School clauses contained in it be adopted. It will fall heavily on the owner of property and the burden will not be a light one on the poor man who rents. He must pay the rent, increased greatly by the increase of taxation, consequent upon the adoption of the "expurgated Constitution." This matter looks you in the face and is sufficient to appal. It calls upon each and every one to do his duty and his whole duty--to register and vote down the Underwood Constitution. Better a military ruler for all time than the expurgated Constitution, with Wells, or Walker, or Withers, or any one else for Governor. The cry of making the best of the situation, in the hope of modifying objectionable features hereafter is most fallacious. We will not be permitted to do so having adopted it.--The Lynchburg News thus pointedly shows up this fallacy:

"No one who reflects a moment on the avowed causes which prevented the submission of the county organization to a separate vote can agree with the views enunciated in our city by Col Walker on the occasion of his recent address. It will be remembered that he then advised the acceptance of the residue of the constitution on the ground that the Legislature having the power to propose amendments to the constitution could originate such a movement, and postponing all legislation looking to the consummation of the county organization and school system until the result of such proposed amendment could be ascertained, could thus avert the threatened evil. To our vision this only looks like an effort to cheat the Radical party out of the substantial rewards of their scheming, and we need not say how utterly futile and vain are hopes founded on such a basis. Why the very cause assigned for retaining this feature of the constitution is the fear lest the educational interest of the negro might be endangered if their plan embodied in the constitution should be defeated. How, then, can it be expected that Congress will ever permit reconstruction to be accomplished unaccompanied by the fullest guarantees of negro equality and free mixed schools. Should the Conservatives succeed in obtaining control of the Legislature, and attempt to play any such game as was indicated by Col. Walker in his speech at Martin's warehouse, who so blind as not to see at once that Congress would refuse its consent to the admission of Virginia until these interests should have received ample protection."

This is pretty bad picture thus far but we are compelled to add to it, however unpleasant it be. The school question is not to be ignored. It particularly concerns every poor man in the State and we request one and all to consider the following from the Examiner & Enquirer on this subject:

By the Bayne-Underwood constitution, the question whether the public free schools shall or shall not be mixed schools, where white and black children are to be taught under the same roof, and in the same room, is remitted to the Legislature. The convention rejected the proposition to provide separate schools. The subject will come up in the Legislature. If the negroes control that body, (and who doubts they will if the expurgated Constitution be adopted? Ed Vin) we may have the Louisiana law which requires the children, without regard to color, to attend the same schools. But perhaps you flatter yourself that you can keep your children at home, or send them to some private school. You may if you are rich and are willing to pay for two sets of schools.--But what will you do if you are a poor man? The constitution provides for forcing the poor man's children, in the contingency contemplated, to attend the public schools--The 4th section of the xviiith article of the constitution is as follows. The General Assembly shall have power, after a full introduction, of a public free school system, to make such laws as shall not permit parents and guardians to allow their children to grow up in ignorance and vagrancy.

Thus have we endeavored to lay before you, as concisely as we can, some of the serious objections to the "expurgated Constitution." Consider the subject well, one and all, and we are satisfied, you will not only register but vote to save your people and State from the horrors of reconstruction under the expurgated but not purified Constitution.

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Summary: Calls on all voters to only vote for legislators who will vote against the 15th Amendment. Sees it as a huge threat to the future of the South.

Full Text of Article:

In the election to be held on the 6th of July a very important item is the selecting of good men as members of the Legislature. Should the expurgated Constitution be adopted an important duty will devolve on the Legislature. With it will remain the last hope of a once Free People.

The XVth Amendment will come before that body for ratification, and should be defeated. Many desire its ratification that they may enjoy the sweet morsel of revenge. Negro suffrage was forced upon us in our adversity by the exultant North and now they desire to see it forced on the North and by the oppressed South. There is some satisfaction in the thought only. It would fasten it irrevocably on the whole Country.--The North cares little but for the principle, having comparatively few negroes, but the South would be affected by it for all time.

We have never regarded colored suffrage, as at present forced upon us, as a fixture.--we look for a time and not very distant, when the rights of the States will be religiously defended as the mainstay of Republican Institutions (In fact the Republic must cease if this be a great while denied.) In that event the old order of things will return, if we do not fix universal suffrage on ourselves. Let us then vote for such Legislators only as declare their determination to labor and vote against the ratification of the XVth Amendment. If that be defeated in the Legislature, we remain just where we are and the odious county organization will fail just there. This is a second chance to defeat the "expurgated Constitution" which should be borne in mind. Put no man in the Legislature who favors the ratification of the XVth Amendment.

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Summary: General Canby has issued an order for correction of the Registration lists. The Boards of Registration will meet for ten days beginning June 14th to revise and add to the registration lists. All must see to it that they are properly registered.

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Summary: Col. Gilbert C. Walker will address the people of Staunton on June 28th.

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Summary: Bishop McGill of the Catholic Church will be in Staunton next Saturday to administer the sacrament of confirmation.

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Summary: George Huffman has been appointed Magistrate of the 8th District of Augusta.
(Names in announcement: George Huffman)

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Summary: Governor H. H. Wells and L. H. Chandler will address the people of Staunton on June 11th.
(Names in announcement: Gov. H. H. Wells, L. H. Chandler)

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Summary: Bishop Whittle preached in Staunton on Wednesday and received 35 applicants into the holy communion of the church.

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Summary: The Ladies of the Presbyterian Church will hold their annual fair and dinner in the Town Hall on June 1st.

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Summary: A. T. Maupin has been appointed agent of the Republican Executive Committee. He will solicit funds in the North and canvass Virginia on behalf of the Wells party.
(Names in announcement: A. T. Maupin)

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Summary: Col. J. B. Baldwin addressed the people of Augusta in the Court House on Monday. He advised them to vote for the expurgated constitution and Gilbert C. Walker for governor.
(Names in announcement: Col. J. B. Baldwin)

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Summary: A daughter of Daniel Landes drowned last Friday in the race of Dice's Saw Mill near Burke's mill. She had been playing on a board across the race and fell from it.
(Names in announcement: Daniel Landes)

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Summary: Gen. Canby has re-established all the old voting precincts in Augusta county and appointed boards of registration for each. "This will be a great convenience to all parties in the revision of registration lists and in casting their ballots at future elections. It will add greatly in bringing out a full vote at elections."

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Summary: A Council of the Friends of Temperance was organized at Churchville, H. L. Hoover president. It will be called Churchville Council No. 60.
(Names in announcement: H. L. Hoover)

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Summary: Confederate Memorial Ceremonies will be held on June 5th. Participants will gather at the Cemetery Gate at 8:00am and a procession will depart from their to decorate the graves of the soldiers. "Appropriate and interesting ceremonies will take place and all who revere our fallen heroes--our loved and lost, should be present and engage in scattering tributes of affection and respect on their last resting places."

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Summary: Staunton Council No. 47, Friends of Temperance, and Charity Council No. 6 held a procession on Saturday. They adjourned to the Methodist Church to hear the State Lecturer, Rev. James Young. He also delivered an address at the Town Hall and a Temperance Sermon. 108 people signed a pledge.

Proceedings of the County Court
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Summary: Covers business done at the County Court, mainly appointments of Magistrates, notary publics, and licenses issued.
(Names in announcement: Junius F. Maupin, John B. Fauver, John Siler, James F. Davis, David Myers, George Huffman, William Gibson, David Alexander, Alex S. Turk, David A. Cooke, Levi Plecker, John R. Syrele, Isaac Coffman, John Crum, Elijah Coiner, Thomas Jefferson, John Dettor)

Full Text of Article:

Fifteen Magistrates were in attendance and an election for Presiding Justice was held, resulting in the election of Junius F. Maupin.

Jno. B. Fauver, Jno. Siler and Jas. F. Davis qualified as Overseers of the Poor.

David Myers, Geo. Huffman and William Gibson qualified as Justices of the Peace.

The resignation of David Alexander as a Justice was accepted.

Alex. S. Turk and David A. Cooke qualified as Notaries Public.

Levi Plecker, Jno. R. Syrele, Isaac Coffman, Jno. Crum and Elijah Coiner were appointed Surveyors of Roads.

License was granted Thos Jefferson, colored, to keep an Ordinary in the town of Waynesboro.

License was granted Jno. Detter of Waynesboro', to sell liquors not to be drank at the place of sale.

Married
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Summary: John A. Spitzer and Miss Mary Jackson, both of Augusta, were married on May 13th by the Rev. William J. Miller.
(Names in announcement: John A. Spitzer, Mary Jackson, Rev. William J. Miller)

Married
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Summary: Jacob Driver and Miss Sallie McCall, both of Augusta, were married on May 11th by the Rev. Jacob Thomas.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Driver, Sallie McCall, Rev. Jacob Thomas)

Married
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Summary: Kenton H. Doom and Miss Arminta Brady, both of Augusta, were married on May 18th by the Rev. George Kramer.
(Names in announcement: Kenton H. Doom, Arminta Brady, Rev. George Kramer)

Married
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Summary: James P. Hughart of Bath and Miss Mary E. McCutchen, daughter of Chapman McCutchen of Augusta, were married on May 18th by the Rev. Harvey Gilmore.
(Names in announcement: James P. Hughart, Mary E. McCutchen, Chapman McCutchen, Rev. Harvey Gilmore)

Died
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Summary: John H. Haines, formerly of West Virginia, died suddenly in Waynesboro of disease of the heart. He was 60 years old.
(Names in announcement: John H. Haines)

Died
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Summary: Susan J. Supple, daughter of Robert and Mary Supple, died in Greenville on May 18th of heart disease. She was 22 years old.
(Names in announcement: Susan J. Supple, Robert Supple, Mary Supple)

Died
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Summary: Henry Bedinger Michie, infant son of Henry B. and Mrs. Virginia Michie, died in Staunton on May 24th.
(Names in announcement: Henry Bedinger Michie, Henry B. Michie, Virginia Michie)