West Virginia

The name of one of the United States of America. This state was formed in 1861 of the western counties of Virginia, owing to their non-concurrence in the ordinance of secession passed by the legislature of that state. A constitution was framed by a convention which met at Wheeling on November 26, 1861. This was submitted to the people on April 3, 1862, and ratified almost unanimously. The consent of the body, recognized by the federal government as the legislature of Virginia, was given, and congress then passed an act approved December 31, 1862, providing for the admission of the new state into the Union upon condition of the adoption of an amendment to the constitution providing for emancipation of slaves. This was done, and the state was admitted to the Union. The first constitution remained in force until 1872, when the present constitution was framed by a convention which met on January 16, 1872, and completed its labors on April fl of that year. It was submitted to the people and ratified by them on August 22, 1872. The constitution "Was amended in 1913 by providing for prohibition, which took effect July 1, 1914. Com. v. West Virginia, 206 U. S. 290, was a suit to adjust, between those states, the debt of Virginia before the separation. It contains much historical information.