Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-06-03
Hon. Wm. Z. WlIs0n ~ spealser.

10 says OF MIN
Mr.. Wilson is one Of the best all-round
men in the House. He was elected to Con-
eress in 1852, and his ability was soon rec
ognized in the Forty-ninth Congress by an
assignment after one term Of service to the
Committee on Appropriations. In the next
Congress he was placed on the Ways and
Means Committee, and first obtained gener-
Gus and general recognition from the cOuu-
try. He soon approved himself one of the
best debators in the House. Whether dis
cussing the merits Of the Mills bill itself or
the schedules, he showed perfect familiar
ity with the question under debate, and he
did It with so much tact and courtesy and
with so much literary finish that his speech
es soon found circulation and readers every
where. He showed on the stump the pos
session Of the same qualities, and was IN
general demand in all the close and doubt
ful States. During the last Congress no man
more loathed the methods and ideas of Reed
than did this nervous &ttle college professor
from West Virginia, and no other was able
more successfully TO pierce the rhinOceros
hide Of the Maine up-start. But the darts be
used were wit, satire, irony, and ridicule,
combined with arguments Of the most sober
or the most passionate kind. Mr.. Wilson
is not given TO much speaking, but every
word tells, every argument goes home, every
weak point Of his opponent is exposed.
The writer concludes, after a detailed
review Of the fitness, ability and locality
of the various gentlemen mentioned for
the office;
It is announced that the south gave the
country John G. Carlisle, the greatest speak
er since the days of Henry Clay. But Mr..
Carlisle was Union man from a border
State. It was for this very reason the House
of Representatives should seek out another
such man. Il is only to take him in the
person Of William L. Wilson, of West Vir-
ginia. Having every claim, on the score of
ability. experience fitness and party service
that can be preferred on behalf Of any as
pirant. it is possible for the Democrats Of
the House to give the country speaker
equal 10 any that ever occupied that impor-
tant Office. A COOL clear-headed scholarly
man, modest to a degree, having the conf
dence Of both north and south, though not
belonging to either, there is no other, how
ever extended his experience, or brilliant
his service, who will in any way be superior
10 Mr.. Wilson. His election will project no
uuseemly contest put no weapons in the
hands Of the enemies of Democracy, and
will satisfy every possible demand that the
country the party, or devotion to Democrat.
ic principles can make.
Referring to the above the Wheeling
Register says;
Everyone who knows Mr.. Wilson, or has
watched his distinguished career as Repre-
sentative of the Second West Virginia Dis
,siot, must rudv,sc every WUrd Of this This
brilliant young Congressman combines
every attribute necessary to restore the Of
fee Of speaker of the National House Of
Representatives to the high place from
which it fell during Mr. Reeds incumbency.
As pointed out, it cannot be urged against
him by those who object to a Southern man
for the Office, that he is from the South, for
although he is from the State of West Nir-
ginia, his constituency is Northern in sym
pathy; nor can it be urged by the South
that Mr.. Wilson is in any way hostile to
that section. His political career has been
of the purest, and during the hottest cam
paign or debate his bitterest opponents
have had nothing TO say against his fairness,
integrity, honor and ability. During
the heated debates on the tarifin the House
Mr.. Wilson was almost the only Democrat
who could compel the respectful and close
attention Of the Republican side. In his
case, also, it is, distinctly, the office which
seeks the man, for he has not raised fin
ger. nor uttered a word to advance his can
didacy, and has never stated that he was a
candidate, or desired the Office. OF this we
have personal knowledge
His recent eminent services in behalf OF
true Democracy in the West and Northwest,
where he has brilliantly and most success
fully carried the campaign of education be-
gun by Grover Cleveland, have, themselves,
thus brought him to the front. For that ar
duous duty he was selected from among the
many eminent Democrats because of his
courage, integrity and pre-emineut ability.
He accepted the heavy task purely from a
sense Of duty, and he has gone through with
&c nobly. His recompense is the gratitude
of the Democracy.
In every way Mr.. Wilson has proven his
ability and entire fitness to be Speaker OF
the Fify-second Congress
We do not agree with the Register in
ifs remark that the constituency of Mr..
Wilson is northern in sympathy. Other
wise we approve and endorse what it is
pleased 90 say.
A number of pominent citizens of this
state me; in Martinsburg and effected an or
ganizatiou to procure suitable testimonial
I