were considered, they came to the unanimous conclusion that the accusations and insinuations were in substance groundless and without foundation.... and that under the circumstances the directors and officers of the asylum had managed the the affairs in the best manner possible.”

21. Character of Legislation Under Boreman.-The Code of West Virginia (1868) contains all legislation of a general nature to the year 1870, when the work was published. An act passed in 1863 provided for "revising, collating, and digesting into a code the statute laws in force in this State," and Daniel Lamb, an eminent lawyer of Wheeling, was appointed to do the work. He reported in printed form chapters one to fifty-two, inclusive; and at his own request, on account of failing health and professional engagements, he was released from further work, and Judge R. L. Berkshire of Morgantown, and Thayer Melvin, Esq., of Wheeling, were appointed to continue the work. They reported the remainder of the code to the Legislature of 1868. An extra session was called to consider the work; it was revised by a committee; finally passed in December, 1868; and published under the editorial supervision of Judge James H. Ferguson, who was then judge of the twelfth circuit. It is the only code that has ever been published by the State. Some new editions called codes have appeared from time to time, but they have been mere compilations of existing laws: revision and classification according to subject matter have not been attempted.

21. The Election of 1868.—William E. Stevenson of Wood County was the candidate of the Republican party, and Johnson N. Camden of the same county was the candidate of the Democratic party for the office of Governor. Stevenson was elected by a majority of about 5,000. Thomas Boggess of Roane was elected Auditor; James M. Pipes of Marshall, Secretary of State; James A. Macauley of Ohio, Treasurer; and Theyer Melvin of Ohio, Attorney General.

23. United States Senators Chosen.-At the session of the Legislature of 1865 Waitman T. Willey, who had drawn the short term of two years in 1863, was reelected to the United States Senate for the full term of six years. The term of Senator Van Winkle was to expire on March, 4, 1869, and at the session of 1869 Arthur I. Boreman, then Governor, was elected as his successor over Daniel Lamb.

24. Farnsworth Acting Governor.-Governor Boreman resigned the office of Governor on February 26, and was suc- 2 ceeded by Daniel D. T. Farnsworth, President of the Senate, who served until March 4, 1869, when he was succeeded by William E. Stevenson.

25. Summary of Progress. In the six years following the admission of the State into the Union, the population increased more than 50,000; something was done in the way of development; a free school system was organized; and the influences that were to result in the development of one of the richest mineral regions in the country, were beginning to manifest themselves.

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CHAPTER XIV.

STEVENSON'S ADMINISTRATION (1869–1871).

1. Inauguration of the Executive Officers (1869).—At ten o'clock on the fourth day of March, 1869, William E. Stevenson, the Governor elect, accompanied by the other officers elect, together with a few personal friends, entered the Executive Chamber in the Capitol at Wheeling. Presiding Judge Brown of the Supreme Court of Appeals administered the oath of office to the Chief Executive. A notary public admin

istered the oath to the other executive officer, and congratulations were tendered by the bystanders. As his first official act Governor Stevenson sent to the Senate, which was still in session, the name of the Civil War veteran, General Thomas M. Harris, for confirmation as Adjutant General. The Legislature, some weeks before, had already chosen H. A. G. Ziegler to fill the office of Superintendent of Free Schools. The change was complete; not a single officer of the old administration remained. Acting Governor Farnsworth, on leaving the gubernatorial office, proceeded to the Senate, and claimed and received his seat as President of that body, which had been filled, in the meantime, by Joseph T. Hoke as President pro tempore. The Senate decided that the office of Governor, temporarily devolving upon the President of the Senate, does not vacate his seat in the Senate.

2. Policy of Stevenson.-The messages of Governor Stevenson give utterance to a vigorous, progressive, and liberal policy, and a broad and comprehensive statesmanship. He urged legislation to encourage the building of railroads, the improvement of rivers, and the inauguration of enterprises "to bring

forth our hidden treasures, and to give easy, cheap, and rapid transportation to market." He favored immigration, and said: "deeply rooted prejudices which heretofore repelled immigration, are rapidly disappearing. there is nothing partisan in grain, or coal, or lumber; nothing hostile to the public welfare in commerce, internal improvements, or the education of all classes. We want small farmers, capital, and skilled labor of all kinds." He regarded the continuance of the test oaths as inexpedient. He urged the adoption of the amendment to the Constitution to restore the privileges of those under disability, on the ground that it would "put an end to much of the animosity and bitterness resulting from our recent Civil War. He recommended that provision be made for the destitute families of soldiers who fell in the war. He suggested the establishment of houses of refuge for both sexes, where youthful offenders might be reformed, instead of being sent to prison to become hardened criminals? He pointed out the mischiefs that result from constant "changes in legislation," and exposed the unsoundness of the reasons urged for calling a convention to amend the Constitution.

3. Status of the Blacks (1871).—The colored citizens of West Virginia exercised the privilege of voting, extended to them by the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, for the first time, at the Fall elections in 1870. They generally availed themselves of the right. The zeal with which they embraced the privilege, and the modesty with which they made use of it, did much to reassure those who honestly doubted the wisdom of placing political power in the hands of the black man, and much to disarm the prejudice of those who opposed the recognition of his political manhood. No serious attempt was made to prevent the black man's exercise of his elective franchise. The colored population of the State at this time did not exceed 18,000. They were generally an orderly and industrious class, ready to work for a living, and willing to acquire a home and educate their children.