Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-24
IN MEMORY Or KENNA.
West Virginia's House and Senate do
Official Honor.
GEN. WATTSS SPLENDID GRAFTON
General J. w. st. Clair Pays a
High Tribute Of Respect to
West Virginia's HonOred Son
Appropriate Resolutions Adop-
ted be the Joint Assembly.
Sp,1ial T.lsaran % q. Rsgts,sr.

SDsiql Ts!sgran 70 "a RsJtstsr.
= CHARLESTON, w. Va, January 23.-Me-
mortal services were held ia the Senate
chamber this afternoon Immediately after
the receipt Of the message from Governor
Fleming giving official notice OF the deatn
of Senator Kenua. The House adjourned
and the members assembled on the hoor on
the Senate. There were also a number OF
ladies present.
Mr.. Johnston offered the following resO-
lutiOus upon the death of Senator henna;
"Resolued, That the death Of Hon. John
Edward kenna, United States Senstor Tor
West Virginia, which occurred on tue
morning of January II, 1898, has caused
the most profound grief 20 the members OF
this House
"Resolred, That in the death OF this dis
tiuguished citizen Of the State our people
! and the nation have sustained great loss.
Elected in 1876 20 the FOrty-htth Congress
when but twcnty-eight years OF age; tn9
Youngest member Of that body, he az once
took rank amCng the leaders Of the House
of REPRESENTATIVES and maintained
that position FOR three successive
terms and after he was elected for a fourth
term ne was transferred TO the Senate by
the people of West Virginia. As a Sena-
tor from this State he stood the peer OF any
of his colleagues and was markedly dis
Democratic friends and a Democratic
President TO lead ia maintaining before
that body and the country, the preroga-
tives of the Office Of President OF
the United States. AS a member OF the
.FOrei gn Affairs Committee OF the Senate
be welded great power IN the consider
alton and determination OF questions iu-
volving the international policy and laws
of the nation. When we recall the fact
- "a nd fUn
ing in the two houses Of Congress there
was appropriated for the Improvement or
the Great kanawha river the sum OF 81 ,UJO,-
OOOs the people are minded OF MS
great power as National representa-
tive and the incalcuable benefits our
State derived from his public services.
The circumstances Of his extraordinary
life, his brilliant talents, his personal sue
cess, and his lOvable disposition, estaO-
lished him in the hearts Of al the people
Of the State; the rude and cultivated, poor
and rich, black and white. We mourn MS
loss and point with pride 70 the example
OF his life as an inspiration 70 high thought
and noble endeavOr TO those who are 10
follow him in public service.
ResOIusd, That these resolutions be spread
upon the record Of the House, that copy
be sent to the family OF the lamented Sen
atOr, and as further marx or respect
that the House do now adjourn
Pending a vote upon tue resolutions,
Gen. Watts arose to address the Senate.
He reviewed the life of the deceased Sena-
tor. touching briefly but feelingly upon al
the points in his career in bOyhoOd, youth,
and manhood. He later formed law
.oartnership with General Watts, which
continued TO within a few years OF his
death. 81 was with him. he continued,
sin mis- every struggle, and let me say here,
that he not only stood by me, but contrib
uted more than any other living man TO
whatever Of success l may have achieved
In this Sta 6 either at the bar or IN poll
tics. No truer, brGver, manlier man ever
lived than Kenna. He was generous to his
enemies and devoted 70 his friends. with
s nigh sense Of political as well as moral
integrity. hs scOrned trickery and treach-
erv of every kind and held his political OBJ
legations as absolutely sacred. He loved
his mother with a devotion that was as
touching as IL was beautiful. He revered
his fathers memory and was prOad indeed
that he was his son. He was true 20 his
people, aud never faltered in the discharge
of MS whole duty 70 the State"
Gen. Watts related several Incidents TO
illustrate Senator kenna's private and
pDblic character, and spoke Of the sorrow
Of the great men Of the nation as expressed
upon hearing the news Of bis death.
Senator Parks next addressed the Sen
ate. He referred to Senator henna's rapid
rise from the humble walks OF life 20 the
position OF a recognized leader in the na-
fional Congress. he also touched upon
his many admirable social qualities.
Senator Peck was the next speaker, and
his address, although brief, was pointed
aud eloquent
Senator Henderson made a very feeling
address, and was followed by Senator
Worley, of Preston, who paid an eloquent
tribute 20 the memory Of the deceased.
Gen. st. CLAIR then took the floor he
spoke first OF Mr.. kenna's magnificent
physical construction, and then dwelt
upon his political career, which,
he said, marked the possibilities
Of every young man under this
free government He was peculiarly pro-
duct Of the common people, and he was
faithful TO their interests throughout his
public life. Few men eXerted greater
influence in educating public opinion, es-
pecially through the public press. Gen,
81. Clair referred 20 the confidence repOSed
in the dead Senator by President Cleye-
land, and, in closing, said: in his death
the State not only lost a friend, but the
greatest man who has assumed public
placs since the formation OF the state
In '68. It was not only loss 70 the state,
but the entire nation mOurnS his death. IL
is hard 10 I'll the place or such public
man. Indeed many assume ii 70 be impos-
sible; but whether true or not, the young
men of West Virginia have been furnished
an example for emulation. A way has
been marked ont by this distinguished
statesman for them to follow in order TO
secure all that is involved in American
manhood and American citizenship
A vote was then taken on the resolutions
and they were unanimously adopted.
S