The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-03-22

the Senate, now adjust my literary
camera so as to get truthful photo
graphic picture Of James P. Nealis,
of Hampshire county, who fills like
office for the House of Delegates. His
life history, like that of most Ameri-
cans, is in itself somewhat remarka-
Bile, Astounding in anomalous contra
dictions. Born in the city of "Broth-
erly Love-" city of intense aboli-
tion procliyiIies, we find young
Nealis a rebel among rebels, at
twenty-one years Of age. Losing his
left leg when child of nine, we
nevertheless behold him in 1861
playing the bold "sojer boy" as gal.
liant trooper in the Twenty.third
regiment of Virginia volunteer cav
airy. Reared within the shadows of
Philadelphia civilization, one is sur
prised to discover in him today all
of the blunt and open peculiarities,
even to the very pronunciation of
words, that have for more than cen.
fury distinguished the old.fashioned
Virginia farmer.
You would never suspect him of
beingipt Quaker descent. The fact
lis, he'boasts with enthusiasm Of be-
ing "a genuine Virginian, by -
sir!'-and such, indeed, he is by sym.
pathy, by affliclion and baptism in
the blood ofbattle. AS a doorkeeper,
he is diligent, courteous and faithful
in the discharge of his duties. This
is best evidenced by the fact that
this is the second term Of the Legis-
ture in which he has held the posi-
ton, A little rough in appearance,
somewhat rounded in figure, with a
ford face and movements, made the
more awkward because of his Attic
tion, you may see him day after day,
from 8 p. m. to 6 p, M, sitting, with
crutch in hand, at his seat in front
of the door Of the hall of the House Of
Delegates, demanding "passes" Of
gentlemen or courteously bowling a
cordial welcome to ladies. Long may
he wave as the banner of,he outer
walls of the West Virginia House Of
Delegates!
MEALS is particular friend Of
the Hon. II. R. Howard, of our town
and we leave it to him to say, if we
have overdrawn his picture.
MR.. S. A. KEPNER,
is true representative of the labor.
ing classes. He is a workingman
himself-a printer-and he made hi.
canvass and was elected on the sole
issue of defense of the rights of the
industrial classes. He is a young
man of mature ideas, grave in man
ner and free from false pride, cool in
debate, always respecting other mems
opinions, yet forcibly impressing hi,
own when he speaks he commands
the attention of the House.
Mr.. Kepner's course in the legisla
ture shows that he is proof against
the snares of the cunning lobbyists
and his arguments on questions o.
public interest, and especially where
the rights of workingmen are con
cerned, have been such as would
have done credit 10 an older man
and one with more experience in
legislative halls in public life.
We believe we have made this let.
ter sufficiently long, and therefore
will draw it to a close, hoping that
by the time another Register is issued
we will be found in our sanctum, pre-.
pairing the material for that issue
Adieu. EDITOR.
The rains still continue to fall, and
while we have had no serious floods
here, the waters continue to devas.
tate everything in the South. 1t is
said that whole families are floating
around on RATS in state of starva.
tion, in many instances living upon
the dead carcasses of drowned ami.
mails that float around with them