Today in Wheeling History: November 26--A constitutional convention for the proposed state of Kanawha opened in Wheeling (1861).
On November 26, 1861, a constitutional convention opened in Wheeling to discuss the proposed state of Kanawha. Peter Van Winkle led the discussion and explained the rules of debate. James Sinsel and Gordon Battelle argued that the name "Kanawha" was part of a compromise made by the earlier June convention and should not be changed. However, Granville Parker, James Brown, Daniel Lamb, Elbert Caldwell, Waitman Willey, William Stevenson, and others argued that the current convention had the power to choose a new name, which would still need approval from voters. After much debate between these delegates, the convention voted 30 to 9 to remove the name Kanawha, with Peter Van Winkle, James Lamb, Gordon Battelle, and Granville Parker among those speaking prior to the vote. Multiple replacement names were suggested, including Alleghany, Columbia, New Virginia, Western Virginia, and West Virginia. A vote was held where each delegate named their preferred new name. West Virginia received 30 out of 51 votes, securing a majority, so the blank was filled with West Virginia as the proposed name for the new state.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3hyfpjb9) (https://tinyurl.com/26u4a9u2) (https://tinyurl.com/235jaexs) (https://tinyurl.com/yvk6hzbt) (https://tinyurl.com/mpjkjbbh)
Photo credits: West Virginia Archives & History
On November 26, 1861, a constitutional convention opened in Wheeling to discuss the proposed state of Kanawha. Peter Van Winkle led the discussion and explained the rules of debate. James Sinsel and Gordon Battelle argued that the name "Kanawha" was part of a compromise made by the earlier June convention and should not be changed. However, Granville Parker, James Brown, Daniel Lamb, Elbert Caldwell, Waitman Willey, William Stevenson, and others argued that the current convention had the power to choose a new name, which would still need approval from voters. After much debate between these delegates, the convention voted 30 to 9 to remove the name Kanawha, with Peter Van Winkle, James Lamb, Gordon Battelle, and Granville Parker among those speaking prior to the vote. Multiple replacement names were suggested, including Alleghany, Columbia, New Virginia, Western Virginia, and West Virginia. A vote was held where each delegate named their preferred new name. West Virginia received 30 out of 51 votes, securing a majority, so the blank was filled with West Virginia as the proposed name for the new state.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3hyfpjb9) (https://tinyurl.com/26u4a9u2) (https://tinyurl.com/235jaexs) (https://tinyurl.com/yvk6hzbt) (https://tinyurl.com/mpjkjbbh)
Photo credits: West Virginia Archives & History
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