The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-03-06
The west virginia Legislature.

I
A Charleston correspondent of the
Morgantown Constitution thus sketches
some of the prominent members Of the
Legislature whose session has just
closed. As Mr.. BAKER has not yet re-
turned from Charleston, we publish,
without his approval, that portion OF
the letter that relates personally to him:
An observer of the deliberations OF
this body will not be long, nor per-
picked, in picking out the prominent
few that hold the reins and drive.
In the Senate his eye will probably
fall first upon Mr.. President Baker, who
sits with imperturbable dignity in the
chair at the head of the chamber, his
calm eve looking, you can't tell exactly
where vet taking in the situation Of
affairs with readiness and precision,
followed by an application Of parlia
mentary tactics that never fails to
bring matters to a focus. He is the
best selection that could have been
made from the body over which he
presides. Mr.. Baker is shrewd poll
tician, and this very fact has made him
some enemies among his fellow politi-
clans. He is not disposed, as his enc
mics are wont to charge upon him, to
descend to the little trickery Of the
unscrupulous politicians, but he is apt
to fight the devil with fire, and he
intends to win in anything he under
takes. He goes at once to the bottom
of things as he did in the last campaign.
On the floor Of the Senate we are not
long in satisfying our curiosity. The
speechifying is confined to three or four
members, of whom Senators Dayton,
Davis, and Scott, can be found on the
floor at almost any time-the rest are
good listeners, with grave and weighty
turns of countenance, discriminating
NTH pmeIring accuracy between the truth
and fallacy of the ponderous subjects
presented to them.
But our doubly-dubbed Senator must
not be passed in silence. Everybody
looks for Senator Davis when they en-
ter the Senate chamber He is man
of goodly dimensions, physically, with
quick and generous eye, a pleasant
face, and set of fine white teeth that
give light and cheer to his smile. He
can say "How d'you do?' just as well as
il you had said it yourself. That he has
good presence no one who has
met him denies. We remember
that some years ago we were
introduced to him hurriedly at hotel,
and without any further intercourse,
consisting only Of a moments CONVERSE
ton, we remembered him better than
we would have done in the case OF nine
ty-nine other men under similar circum-
stances. There was no necessity Of re-
newing the introduction when, years
after, we met again, as is usually the
case with casual acquaintance. He
is a olive man" with large heart and
generous impulses, and while he may
be lacking in some degree in the expe-
rience and statesmanlike attainments
Which we are accustomed to look for in
one filling the exalted station to which
he has been called, yet he is eminently
IMPRACTICAL man, brought up in a severe
practical school, and knowing how to
deal with men, and we expect to find
him a useful man to our State in his
new sphere.
Turning from the gravity Of the Sen
ate to the hustle Of the House, we find
Speaker Cracraft occupying the chair
with appropriate ease and dignity, Al
though among the youngest, if not the
most youthful member Of the House,
vet perhaps the peer of any in good
practical sense and ability. There is a
good deal of mischief lurking in the
easy, slumbering expression OF his eye,
and lie is not often caught mapping.
His adroitness aided very materially in
getting the appropriation bill for the
University through the House, and he
made telling little speech in its behalf,
as did also his colleague, Mr.. Barr, who,
by the way, is one OF the most genial,
gentlemanly and reliable members of
the House, and both deserve the thanks
ofthe friends ofthe University for their
efforts in support Of the bill.
Col. NJ. Jackson is speaking men,
Der from Wood. He speaks what he
thinks, and "the ID take the conse-
ouences. He is not less emphatic,
perhaps, than was old jackson himself,
and claims, we believe, to carry some Of
the same blood. A stranger approach
ing him would pronounce him stern,
seli.contained, willful, but behind the
cloud there is rather genial atmos-
phere. Yet he must carry his point.
lie will snub propriety to do it! When
some of the unsophisticated member
ship oppose him, he shakes his beard as
a lion his name, and they surrender.
We owe him nothing for his support Of
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