The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-05-22
TIE DEliOCR4I'
SATURDd T...... May ,9g
Hon. Benjdn,in Uilso,l, Of Vest

skSkGIl LlOIu Illh SuAl A'A~ 'AbH [f''
give some Of Inc reasons for his
prominence nnl popularity. He
was born in the county Of lIarri-
son, Virginia (Wcst Virginia.
April 50, 1925. The rude log school
house furnished his primary eduea-
ton, and the Northwestern Y'ir-
ginia Academy, II his county torn.
WIS his alma Mater. His father,
Colonel Josiah D. Wilson, was a
farmer, and the boy grew 10 man
hood on the farm, used from his
severe arluous duties. lie attend
cd law school ut Staunton; was
admitted to the bar in 1S4S, and
began his professional career in lis
native county. His close applicN-
ton and decided manner enabled
him 10 acquire prominence in his
profession. lie was attorney for
The Commonwealth in both courts
in the county Of Harrison, from
1852 10 1860. lie has been more or
less connected with politics from
his carly life, always cooperating
with tho Democratic party. In
1862 lie was elected to the Virginia
State Constitutional Convention at
Richmond, and in 1871 was elected
to the West Virginia Constitutional
Convention at Charleston, Ini1Sl2
he was one Of the delegates from
the State at large 10 tile National
Democratic Convention at Balti-
more. lie was elscied to the For
ty-fourth, Forty-fifth and Forty
Sixth Congresses,
He was, from the beginning, OPP.
posed 10 the act Of 1863, entitled
ian act TO Strengthen the Public
Credit and 10 tho Funding act Of
1870, and was also opposed. to the
bill demonctizing silver and to the
Resumption Act. By lis resolnr
tons and speeches in Congress he
favored the Repeal Of the Resumn-
ton Act, tho reMonetizing Of silver
and The making of the trade dollar
n legal tender, the retirement Of
National Bank circulation, and the
substitution therefor Of the United
States Treasury notes, greenbacks)
besides various measureslfor re-
lief of the people from the burdens
imposed upon them by Republican
Congresses.
AS a member Of the Committee
on Printing lie has procured the
passage Of various bills and rcsolur
lions for the printing ofpuhllc doe
nments Of interest and great I'M
portancc to the people. Among
thcmost important, one granting
the passage through the mails Of
publications issued zprint=by tho
National Board Of Health; work
on sheep husbandry and. diseases
EofZthe -domesticatcd animal, and
various other public documents.
He first acquired reputation as
m international lawyer by a report
from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, for the distribution Of The
awards made by the intcrnntiuna,
commission between the United
States and Mexico. lie sustained
his report in this case by MI elabo'
rate argument, citing many author
tiles upon international law. Ills
report from the same Committee
upon. the. bill providing for the
payment Of the claim Of the officers
Of the brig armstrong for its dS-
structIon in the neutral port Of
Fayal, by English vessels, during
ths war of 1S12.lI, Is spoken of as
m nb!e international State paper.
II is a full and careful compilation
Of legal opinions, md Of Congress
sional and Departmental action.
His report for Il treaty with Mexico
and his speech sustaining it.as also
his report for refunding to China
what Is known as the Chinese In
domnitr fund, together with rari-
GUS other reports made from that
Committee, are very creditable to
him. lie has energoticnIly sought
to protect The manufacturing inter
ests in his district by appropriate
legislation.
lie has been successful in his CT.
forts 10 secure the improvement Of
the Little kanawl!a river in his
district by tho Government; he
has also been an active worker in