New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-24
THE DEATH or SENATOR UILSON.
MUCH REGRET FELT IL wAsHINGToN-A TRIBUTE
FROM SENATOR MORRILL,

MUCH REGRET FELT IL WAsIiINGTON--A TElHt TIE
FROM SENATOR MORRILL,
Washington, April 23.-Great regret is felt here
over the death Of Senator James J. Wilson. OF
Iowa He antedated Senator Allison. his colleague
in his entrance into Congress. the latter Senator
beginning his career with the XXXNIlIth Congress
while MIR. Wilson served during part OF the
XXXVIlth
Senator Morrill, OF Vermont, who knew Mr. VIII
son we'll this morning spoke in highest terms of his
ability as a statesman and his character as man.
During all his service in the House Mr.. Wilson was
a member Of the judiciary Committee and for the
last six years was the chairman OF the committee
"He had a strong mind and was an accurate thinker
and powerful reasoner" said Senator Morrill, this
morning. During his craftsmanship OF that most
important committee the country passed through "A
most trying period and many very important que~-
lions growing out of the war were me, and settled
Mr.. Wilson not a frequent debater he was not
the equal Of his colleague. Mr.. Allison. IN i'm
promptu speaking. and seldom participated In the
running cross-fre and colloquy in which Mr. All
son takes so much pleasure Mr.. Wilson was. how
ever, a man OF marked ability ana prepared MIN
self with care when about to address the House
His speeches always commanded the close attention
Of the House. and he always looked upon as
a conservative. safe man. one who could be fol-
lowed guide who never led you aStray. His
mind vas essentially that Of jurist although there
have been in Congress men who would doubtless
rank as greater lawyers than he.
"In the House he was party leader OF recognized
ability. and power In the West; that he did not
reach that place In the Senate IL due TO his poor
health. one thing to be said Of Mr. Wilson Is that
he was never imbued with any modern 1sms.'
These Iltter-day hurAbugs of politics and finance
found favor In his eyes and he remained to the
end firmly intrenched in the doctrines Of the party
10 which he belonged. lie was in every way a
sound man..
1t was Mr. Wilson'S ability that caused the House
to make him one OF the MANAGERS the part OF
the House for the Impeachment OF Andrew John
SON His associates in that matter were John a.
Bingham. George s. Boutwell, Benjamin r. Butler.
Thomas Williams OF Pennsylvania. John 4. Logan
and Thaddeus Stevens. Mr. Wilson elected 10
the Senate in 1888. He there. in the House.
a hard working member. When the Supreme Court
held the Iowa Original Package law unconstitu-
tlonal, Mr.. Wilson went TO work and. during the
Reed Congress, secured the passage OF the Federal
Original Package law, which was upheld by the
courts. Together with Senators Edmunds and Gull
iOm. he assisted In framing what sfterward
known as the Interstate Commerce law.
Senator Wilson lived and died at his home In
Fairfield. Iowa. 1t through his efforts that
Mr.. Carnegie made large gift TO the library OF
that town. and this Mr.. Wilson added a large
contribution OF hrs Mr. wilson leaves behind
him fortune estimated by some At upward OF
100000