The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-23


exertions in favor of every measure look.
ing to the progress and prosperity of the
State generally, but more particularly to
the opel ing up and development OF the
vast resources of the portion he repre-.
sented. All propositions for internal
Improvements and public works found
in him Jealous and energetic supporter
and he was held in the highes. esteem
by all parties. .
newspaper correspondent speaking
of him In 1858, says:
"a. T. Caperton, of Monroe, is
Wing, and has long enjoyed the conf.
dence of the whole people of his section.
He has never been defeated for office.
"Mr. Caperton is enc of the hand
soonest men in the Legislature and the
ablest member of his party on the floor,
and would make valuable member OF
Congress-"
During all this time, notwithstanding
his services in the Legislature and the
interest he took in politics, be not only
continued the practice Of his profession
with success. being engaged in almost
State, but found time to devote to agri.
culture and stock-growing, of which he
was very fond, and was reputed amoug
the most successful in the State.
He was also the active friend and sup.
porter of nearly all important enter
prlses projected and put in operation in
the southwestern portion of Virginia.
10 nf INF ,oI
Directors in the James River and Kan
awha Canal, looked upon in that day
and time, as now, d work of National i'm.
portance, Its object being to connect the
waters Of the east and west, and furnish
means of transportation between the dis
tant sections of the country.
In 1861, he WAS elected member of
the Constitutional Convention of Vir-
GINA, and, like many prominent men,
bers of the Wing party in
the South, was Conservative Union
man, and opposed secession until
the commeD cement of actual hostilties,
when he felt as others did, that his duty
was TO link his fortune with those of
mis- State. In 1862 he was elected by
the Legislature of Virginia as member
OF the Confederate States Senate, which
he filled until the close of the war in
1865. After which he returned TO his
home, accepted the situation and re-
sumed the practice of his profession,
devOting much of his time and energies,
as in the past to the opening and develop
ing the resources of West Virginia,
particularly advertising and bringing to
the attention of foreign capitalists her
fine coal, timber, and glazing lands,
and in this direction he accomplished
much and his efforts were crowned with
reasonable success.
On the 18th of February, 1915, after
spirited contest, he was almost unanl-
mously elected II member OF this body TO
succeed the Hon. Arthur l. Boreman,
and took his seat on the Attn OF March
following. His election was received
with general satisfaction throughout the
State. He brought to the Senate great
strength of character, matured expert
ence in public affairs, sound Judgment,
and an accurate knowledge of the history
of the government and the necessities OF
of the country, and particularly At the
South. He had the liveiest appreciation
of the responsibility resting upon Sen
ator and his duty to the General govern
ment and his State. He recognized IN
the amplest manner that old Issues were
d I'd, and that a glorious and prosper
Gus future awaited the whole country, II
good feeling could be restored between
the sections His greatest concern and
deepest anxiety was over the unsettled
condition of our political affairs, and had
be lived, | had no doubt his voice would
have been raised and his energies exert
ed in behalf of peace and harmony.
Such is u brief outline of the early lie
and public services Of my departed col
league.
For thlrty-fve years it may be said he
was constantly under the eye OF the pub
lie, filling many important positions OF
trust and confidence to which he had
been elevated by the Partially OF his
neig hbors and fellow citizens. And dur
ing this long term of public service, quite
an ordinary lifetime, embracing and COW
ering MS it does a period as important
stirring and exciting as has occurred IN
our history as u country. l have
the pleasure and pride of recording
that his conduct and character WAS so
pure, so high and SO elevated, that neither
suspjcion nor faint ever rested on either,
and in all of his official acts and doing'
in his professional and business dealings
he did his duty well-wrongcd neither
State nor individual, and was uniformly
lust and honorable.
He was'a man of scholarl y attanments,
positive character, fixed principles and
strong convictions, a despiser of all tricks
and narrow doings, sound lawyer
modest and reserved, though q ready
debater. thoroughly versed in the history
of the country and politics, lover OF the
and n close student OF It's
wise provisions, all OF which was sup
by large experience with
men and affairs.
Thus thoroughly equipped by nature
and cultivation he came mp to our best
;dass of An American Senator and States
man.
The tenn of service of Senator Caper-
ton AS a member of this body less than
two vears) was so short that there was
scarce sufficient time for his associates to
know him well and understand his noble
character. but believe Lam authorized
in saving that, even brief as 1t was, he
enioyed the esteem and respect of all and
none was more dearly beloved.
OF commanding presence and dignlhed
department, he inspired the respect OF
oil with whom he come in contact. dc
was eminently social, possessed a cult,
waited mind, amiable disposition, genial
manner. warm-hearted and atiectlonste.
He drew around and cemented to him
friends wherever he went. He made but
few speeches in the Senate, but when he
did speak he brought to the subject
careful anC accurate thought, close
research and sound Judgment.
HIS highest ambition, best purpose
and most earnest wish was that the
arrangement growing out OF our late
unfortunate war should oreVer disappear
and be replaced with harmony and good
telling between the people and the whole
Union, believing that when this happy
l.