The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-25
IS. OTEIO WILSON.
"Railroad Commissioner.

noted.
SIS. OHIO WILSON,
RAILROAD Commissioners"
Mai. Wilson was first informed of the
Governors action at midnight Thursday
night. He was at his farm several miles
from Marion. when a telegraph messen-
ger came out and woke him up to deliv
er a message from Commissioner ID. I'll.
Abbott. telling of the Governors deci-
sion.
Immediately the Major got up and
started for the station to take the train
for Raleigh. On the way, however. he
came across man 'possum hunting. As
the Major had some time TO spare
turned aside TO join in the hunt. At
ter helping to catch one 'possum he re-
sumed his journey to Marion, where he
took the train and arrived here at noon
yesterday.
On his way, by way of reply to DR..
graphed: #
1Win be down at j m. Hold the
fort"
To this Commissioners Abbott and Will
son replied:
by His grace we will"
Sometime before the arrival of the
Majors train there was a man at the
Union depot, walking restlessly up and
down the platform. A tall heavily built
man, he was, wearing a Walter-Henry
coat and a beaver hat of the vintage of
1890. This was S. Ohio Wilson, and he
was waiting for Maj. Wilson. On the
Majors arrival he took him by the arm
and escorted him to the Railroad Com
mission office. where the letters above
printed were written.
II T. ~ taal-s-w staxz
ing when Mr. S. Ohio Wilson appeared
at the Railroad Commission office to
keep the nest warm and see that no in
truder took possession. He found all
quiet and for two hours longer there was
nothing to indicate that anyone was on
the trail OF that little $4,000 he has
been accustomed to draw annually
Then something happened. But it was
not unexpected. Mr.. Pearson, having
just been sworn in by Justice Walter
Clark. Of the Supreme court, came in,
accompanied by his attorney, Judge Mae
Rae, and made formal demand for the
office
Mr.. Wilson shook his head and ex-
planned that it was a matter of great re-
greet. but really, he said, under the law.
ne should be compelled to have to decline
Mr.. Pearson's request to step out. He
then went on to explain that he was elect
ed to the position by the Legislature and
he did not recognize the Governors right
and power to turn him out.
II still consider myself Railroad Com
missioner, Mr.. Pearson, and therefore
cannot turn over my office to you or any
other man until my term expires. Good
morning, gentlemen"
This ended the interview and Mr..
Pearson proceeded to the Secretary of
States office, where he filed his oath Of
office.
No doubt Mr.. Caldwell also took the
oath OF office yesterday morning before
Judge Furches in Statesville and at once
went to MorgantOn to servie notice on
Maj. Wilson. That, / am informed, was
his intention. But Maj. Wilson was not
there, and thereby Mr.. CaldwelPs nest
of eggs has been well-nigh spoiled. Had
the notice been served on the Major yes
terday, then the case might have come
I'D at the next term of Burke court
which convenes next Monday week. Now
it cannot come up before next spring
the May term of court. BY that time the
Supreme court will have met and ad
;aurned. It will, therefore, be more than
a year before Maj. Wilson's case can be
determined unless the Governor calls a
His colleague, Mr.. Ohio Wilson, how
ever, is not so fortunate. His case will
come up at the October term of Wake
Superior court and be at once passed up
on by the Supreme court. He has retained
Messrs. J. G. l.. Harris, II. 0. Burton
and Judge Spier Whitaker as his counsel
Maj. Wilson has chosen, as attorneys
to represent him, Mr.. r. o. Burton,
Mai. John ID. Shaw, Judge Thos. N. Hill,
Bynum & Bynum and Judge Spier Whit
aker. Ever since Mai. Wilson's connec-
ton with the Railroad Commission Mr.
Burton has been his legal adviser, and
he has therefore been chosen in this case
as leading attorney.
'T have had so many lawyers volunteer
their assistance, that / have had a deli
cacy in selecting from them the limited
number that was necessary and have
chosen the first that offered" said Maj.
Wilson yesterday.
II see from the papers," he continued,