Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-03-28
THE JEFFERSON DELEGATES.

West Virginia Legislature, has recently fur>
nished his paper, the Point Pleasant Register,
with a series of personal sketches of msn>
bers OF that body, from which We extract the
following complimentary mention of the Del
egates from this county:
HON JoHN W dRANTHAM.
Christian dignity, always admirable, whep
found adjoining public life. becomes exalted.
In a legislative body, necessarily m.de nm in
large part of veterans in party ,rickerv and
wire pulling. it ia impressive, not to saw re-
treshing. to hnd a genuine Christian gentle
man. imbusd with those solid and practical
virtues that eau only be acquired in the
course OF a consistent religious life.
Such a person is the senior member from
Jefferson. or such. at least, he appears to the
world at large. What he may really be. is
known only to his God, and, perhaps, him.
self.
A tall gentleman. slightly, very slightly
stoop>shouIderod, with gray hair and heavy
mustache of same color hands nearly ALWAYS
in his pantaloons pockets given at times to
the old Virginia habit Of putting his feet ON
the desk in front of his scat. and vet with a
grave face that never loses its dignity of
features, the Hon John W. Grantham pre>
sents a venerable, sternly prepossessinc. and
on his feet. even Q distinguished appearance.
Born in 1920. in the eounty now repre-
sented by him and his youthful but talented
colleague, Mr. Frank Beckwith, and on the
fine estate now owned by him. he spent his
early lite in mercantile pursuits. His sue.
cess as a business man il evidenced by the
fact that he is now the President of the
Bank of Chariestown-a position lie has held
since its organization.
More than forty years ago he connected
himself with the Methodist E. Church. of
the Southern branch of which he has long
been a prominent member. He is. also, one
of the leading Masnns of the State, being a
Past Grand. High Priest of the Grand ROYAL
Arch Chapter of West Virginia.
In ante beNuD DAYS. up to the period of
know Nothing madness. he was a Wing, aud
even now, in conversation, manifests a pride
10 and fond recollection of the great Ken.
lucky statesman. the founder of the Amer>
loan System and father of the Wing party.
In 1872 ne was almost unanimously cleo
ted a member of the House of Delegates
being at the time the regular homiuee of the
Democratic party receiving twcnly>three
hundred votes out of a total of twenty four
hundred In 1873 he was a member of the
State Senate, and in 1880 was again elected
u tHe nouSe OF DoIeSateS.
He puts on no pretensions to oratory, yet
when interested in a matter before the H ouss,
says what he wants to say 10 a quiet. CONVEX
sational style. He is sometimes a little pet
ulant aud when bored by a debate. persists
in demanding the ''previous question "
This habit of his was the origin of a rich
scene the other day between Mr. Grantham
and Judge Ferguson | will never forget it
so long as | live. II was near the close of n
protracted debate. One of the participapts
after some illusions to Judge F. had lust re-
sumed his scat. The Judge, who never suf>
ters a personal alluSiOn to pass unnoticsd
was in the act of arising to address the chair.
but betor" he could bring his ponderoua form
INTO parliamentary position, the tall gcntle>
man from Jefferson srrang to his feet with
the suddenness of a first-class iumnins lack.
and shouted, "Mr. Speaker, I demand ,he
previous question" Heavens wha: a look
of mingled scorn and coutempt the old judge
gave him It was that of an enraged lion
crashing his teeth at a meddIing giraae.
Mr. G. couldn't stand it. Turning red as n
beet in the face, he quickly withdrew his de-
msnd and shrank back.
NON. FRANK BECKwITH.
This young gentleman deserves to be rank
ed among the prominent members of the
West Virginia Legislature. He is, without
question, a man Of promise. Thore is some
thing about him peculiarly attractive.
Limited as to our personal acquaintance
with him. We confess to great partiality for
him. This partiality, perhaps, may induce
US to overrAte his abilities
Tho more we see of mankind, the greater
confidence we have in physi .guomy. Cerfrs.
when we com pare the clean-cut and intellec-
@tual features of MIR. Brckwith, with what
we actually know and believe of his charac-
ter. we find ourselves giving ready oredence
to the classical maxim, "FuHus est in3er
animi."
A short time since, a paper correspondent
spoke of Judge Ferguson and MIR. Beckwith
as being the only cleaned (shaved) faced
members of the House. Mr.. Beckwith's
home paper. copying the paragraph, added
that Mr. Beck with was as ckcan,h handed as he
was cleau>shaved.
And this is true. His honor is as bright
as a golden eagle fresh from the mint. Soon
after hia election to the Legislature, the B
d 0 r. r. Company rendered him the usual
courtesy of a free ticket over the extensive
lines of railway. He promptly declined it,
and was clearly right in doing SO.
His style of speaking is pleasing, charac>
terizsd by elaboration mingled with mod.
esty.
He is now having his first experience in
public life. and if he keeps his character as
untarnished in the future. as he has in the
past. | can see no reason why he should not
climb to a high round on the ladder.
ENAT . HTTTF r--.