The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-02-08
1t is Sen atOr Wilson.

The caucus last Thursday evening
practically closed the senatorial dead
lock for Washington, by giving John
L. Wilson the required majority to
carry the vote of the caucus Ankeny
made this speedy settlement possible
by withdrawing his name, being con-
WINGED that there was no chance of
his success. 1t was plain that the
people of Washington did not desire
Mr.. Ankeny, more because of the
popular prejudice for men with alleg-
ed "bar'ls." John L. Wilson, of all
the men whose names were presented,
was the choice of the majority of the
people, and his election will be gen.
orally accepted with good grace, by
those who fought for other candidates.
Mr.. Wilson left for Washington Mon
day.
The Olympian furnishes the follow
ing sketch of our new Senator:
Hon. John L. Wilson, who was
formally chosen United States senator
today, to fill the seat left vacant by
the the failure to elect successor to
Senator Allen two years ago, was born
in Charlottesville, Indiana, August 7,
1850. He received primary educa-
ton in the common schools, and was
graduated from Wabash college in
1874. He studied law under Col. G.
Wilson, of Lafayette, Ind, was elect
ed a representative IN the state legis-
lature of Indiana in 1880 from Mont
gomery county, and was subsequently
appointed by President Arthur receiv-
er of public moneys in the Spokane
land Office, and served for years and
four months in that position.
He was elected to the Fifty-frst
member elected after the admission OF
the state, receiving 34,039 votes
against "a ,492 cast for Thomas C.
Griffits, his democratic comp titor.
He was reelected in November, 1890,
and again in 1892. During the war
Mr.. Wilson, at the age of Ii years,
served on the staff of his father, who
was colonel, as a messenger. In 1883
he married Miss E. Sweet, of Chicago.
Mr.. Wilson's father was the Hon.
James Wilson, who was the the first
republican representative from the
eight district of Indiana.
AS member of congress Mr.. Will
son has been very industrious and
successful worker. It has frequently
been said of him, and with truth, that
he has accomplished more for this
state than both our senators. His
familiarity with the business of the
land commissioner Office has been of
special value to the state, and he has
succeeded in three congresses not only
in getting large appropriation for
land surveys, but in getting very
handsome allowance from this appro-
prlatlon set apart for SURVEYS in
Washington. This has been of very
great advantage for the reason that
the state lands donated by the general
government for various purposes
could not be selected until the SIR
veys are made, and without success
full work in this direction it would
have been impossible to get lands that
were even of average value. Mr.. Will
son has also been active in securing
the opening of various Indian reser-
vations. 1t was through his efforts
that the Colville reservation was
opened, and it was he who secured.
through an amendment to the Indian
appropriation bill, the only progress
that has been made toward opening
the Puyallup reservation. He has
also secured numerous increases in.
appropriations for our river and har-
Dor improvements, and for the estab-
llshmentof light houses, and other
aids to navigation on our coast and
inland waters. He has taken an ac-
tive part in all the great debates on
national issues, particularly in That on
The tariff bill, in all of which he has
acquitted himself with credit.
In another way Mr.. Wilson has
been very attentive to and successful
IN looking after the wants of his con-.