Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1884-01-31
HON. WILLLfM L. WILSON.
HIS Career as Larger, Educator dnd
Legislator.

4 West Virginia contributor TO the FREE
Press of Washington city furnishes an ex-
tended biographical sketch ofHon. William
/. Wilson. of the Second District. Alter
giving some accounts of his earlier history
the article refers to Mr.. Wilson's career IN
his State as having been such "a TO thor
ouchly fit him for the position of nation
al representative Having the advantage
of a liberal classical education, he com
menced the practice of law at Charles1wn,
Jefferson county, which was then. as now,
the county seat of a populous and thriving
community, priding itselfupon one OF the
strongest bars of the State. With correct
and business like habits, a keen and ana
lytical mind, added to energy and perserer-
ance. he came rapidly to the front as Il
LAWYER. He not only aimed to win cases,
but studied the law as a science, and was
accepted rs a safe counselor, and brilliant,
effective advocate. While attending closely
to his professional duties, he was studiously
interested in political affairs. A Democrat
by conviction, and thoroughly yc.scd in the
history and traditions Of his party, he CAV,
it earnest and able support, and acquired
reputation as an orator, both in State anu
Presidential campaigns. exhibiting a con-
plete mental grasp of the situation, with
io,ical reasoning, beauty and force oil
diction. which, coupled with graceful bu'
incisiye delivery explain his influence upoa
the listeners.
The r ,gents Of the State University al
Morgantown placed upon him the Presi-
dency of that Institution. His fondnes' Tor
classical literature, and the search OF that
decp philosophy of which CuIran reminced
Lork Peterborough, his paitia.ity for tho
society OF young aud vigorous men whose
future he might help to mold, and the
further fact that he might supervise the
education of his own children, induced him
to accept To say that he administered the
affairs ofthe institution wisely and faithfully
woald be scant praise His first effort was
to raise the grade of fscholarship. and in this
he was eminently successful. For him tc
gain the confidence and affection of those
under him was an easy matter. NO eye Sc
qnick to discover the thorough scholar and
( true man in a precep;or as those OF college
boys, and from first to last he held the res
pect and loyalty of those around nm
More than this. he did much to build uT
the institution i'm the estimation OF Tho
people OF West Virginia and Of neighborlne
States. and to calm the feuis in which State
Colleges subjected to political influences art
too often cmbroied. And when taken IRON
it by his election to Congress, he LET
the University amid the regrets and ac
companied BY the good wishes not only OF
its Faculty, undergraduates AL that com
munity, but of all the peoplc of the state
"Mr. Wilson'S ea.ragceirto national pol
itics rs = member of the Housc OF Repre-
sentatiyes ia particularly fortunate. Ac
cepted by all divisions Of his party in hi
district he has no isetions to fight and NJ
enemies to punish. In the prime Of vlgor
Gus manhood, admirably equipped for duty
with honorable ambitions and generous i'm
pulses, and quick appreciation OF, aud IN
flexible determination to do, the right, hl
career here can hardly fail to be creditabl'
TO himself and useful to the country. &c
NAL. approachable, and with social quail
ties not less developed than his intellectual
I powers, his many friends join in wishing
him that success his attributes promise