Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-01-21
HON. WILLIAM L. WILSON.
His Career as Lawyer, Educator and
Legislator.

Legislator.
A West Virginia contributor to the Free
Press OF this city furnishes an extended
biographical sketch OF Hon. William l..
Wilson, of the Second District, Alter
giving some account of his earlier history
the article refers to Mr.. Wilson's career in
his State as having been such asto th)r
oughly fit him for the position of nation
al representative. Having the advantage
OF liberal classical education, be com
menced the practice OF law at Charles
town, Jefferson county, which was then, as
now, the county seat Of a popUlous aud
thriving community, pridlng itself upon
one of the strongest bars oil the S'ate.
With correct ana business Ike haolts, y
keen and analyti mind, added 10 energy
III / perseverance, he came rap dly TO the
front as lswer. He not only aimed t.
win cases, but studied the law as scienc-;
and was sc;,pted as safe cou lselo-.
brilliant, effective advocate. While attend
ing closely 10 his professional duties h.
was studiously interested in political al
fairs, A Democrat by conviction, AMI
thoroughly yersed in the history and ira
ditions of his party, he gave it earnest and
able support, aud acquired reputation rs
an orator, both in State and PreSidentia
campaigns, exhibiting complete mental
grasp of the situation, with logical etson'
ing beauty and force OF diCtion, which,
coupled with
Graceful bat IpciSiVe Delivery
,xp'ain his influence upon the listeners.
The Regents of the State Univer,ity at
MoigsntoSn llaCed upon Kim the Presi'
dency OF taat institution. His tondneSs
for classical literature, and the search OF
i ~
minded Lord Ellen borout h, his partiality
for the society OF yolng and vigorous men
whose future he might help to mold, and
he further fact that he might supervise
the ed dUcatior OF his own children, induced
him to accept. To say that he administer
d the affairs Of the institution wisely and
faithfully would be scant praise. His first
effort was 10 raise the grade OF scholarship,
and in this he was eminently snccesstul
For him TO gain the confidence and adtc-
tiou OF those under him was an easy mat
ter No eye so quick to discover the thor
ough scholar aGi true man in preceptor
os those of col ege-boys, en-. from irst to
last he held the respect and loyalty OF
those Ground him More than this, he did
much 70 build up the Institution in the
ssIimstion of the people of West Virginia
and OF neigh boring States, and to calm the
feuGs in which Stale Colleges subjected tn
And when taken from il by his election 10
not only Congress, he left the University
amid the regrets and accompanied By the
good wishes not only Of its Faculty, under.
,raduates and that community, but OF all
The people of the Safe.
"Mr. wilson's Entrance Into National
Politics
as member of the House OF Represents
tiycs is particularly fortunate. Accepted
BY all divisions Of his party in his district,
he has NO factions to light and h1enemles
10 punish. In the prime Of vigorous MAJ
mood. admirably equipped Tor duty, with
honorable ambiti0ns and generous ;m-
pulses, and a quick appreciation OF, ard lu'
flexible determination TO 10, the.fish;, bis
career here can hardly fail 10 be cgeGi;ab'e
70 himself and useful TO the country. Ge.
nisi, srproachable, aud with social quail
ties no, iess developed than hisintellectusl
powers. his many friends join In Wishing
nm that sue cess his attributes promise