Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-10-29
SKETCH OF EDGAR mILsoN,


= captaia in the fourteenth Pennsyl-
.of the Rebellion. Attended Soldiers
Orphan School IT Dayton, Penn, until
sixteen years Of age then taught school
and worked On farm. afterwards at
tended University OF Michigan gradu-
ating in the law department of raat in
stitntion in 1854. Came to Idaho the
same year and formed law partnership
with Hon. Fremont Wood. late United
States Attorney. which partnership
still continues.
Elected City Attorney in Boise City
In 1885 and District Attorney in 1886.
Also elected member of the Cons,itu-
tional Conse5tioa %hieh framed the
state constellation In 1880. Was sent to
the Fifty-Fourth Congress on free
coinage platform by the Republican
party in 1894. During this term Of office
the Republican party in convention at
ST. Louis nominated Mr.. Mckinley on
= gold plat .orm, the Issue thus being
squarely presented, each and every
Republican was compelled to decide
for himself whether or not he would
follow his party on that platform. Of
the Republican delegation in Congress.
Senator Dubois and Congressman Will
son allied themselves with the silver
movement and refused to go back on
their constituents and the platform on
which they were elected. Senator
Shoup and Mr.. Hepburn were the most
conspicuous Republicans who aban-
doned the silver cause when this issue
was presented.
Nominated by the Silver Republicans
in 1896 for Justice of the Supreme Court
and ran several hundred votes ahead of
the ticket, polling 500 votes against
5000 votes by the gold standard oppo-
neHt.
Mr. Wilson has a home in Boise.
wife and one child and is extensively
inteIe 'tsd in fruit growing.
RECORD IN CONGRESS-:
Spoke and voted against Interest
Bearing Bond bill OF December. 1885.
Spoke and voted in favor of the in
dependent free coinage of silver in Feb
ruary 1895.
Spoke in favor OF bill introduced by
him for reform of the sampling of inn
ported lead-silyer ores, which bill was
afterwards enacted into law.
Spoke in favor of amendment to
Sundry Civil bill appropsiating two
hundred thousand dollars for public
building at Boise. and led fight on the
floor OF the house against Mr.. Cannon.
e52iFnaa OF the committee on appro-
PriatioEs. In support of this amend
inert, which Eas finally carried by
yea and nay vote.
Secured an amendment in favor of aa
appropriation for q Bureau of Irrigation
inquiry, which bureau is now doing
efficient work.
introduced and secured the passage
OF bill authorizing the manufacture OF
spirits from prunes and other fruits.
thus greatly enlarging the demand for
this Idaho product.
Secured an appropriation OF twenty
i've thousand dollars for the improve
ment OF the Clearwater river In the
face OF al adverse report from the Sec
rotary of War.
Secured an appropriation for the i'm
provement OF the Kootenai river.
Secured an appropriation for the sur
yey OF the Pend d. OreilIe river.
Secured increased appropriations
for the survey of our public lands and
for our federal public services generally.
seszed on the committee on public
sands and on the committee on irriga-
ton OF arid lands.
Presented, March Both, ls96.a yolum-
inons report from the committee on
public lands in favor OF what is known
as the five per cent, bill. This bill is
intended to equalize the payments TO
the several states by congress in aid
OF public schools. Its passage would
be simple justice and would secure to
che state OF idaho for its public schools
about five hundred thousand dollars.
Mr.. Wilson led the argument In sup
port OF this bill before the committee
and secured majority report, person.
ally reporting the bill to the House.
Earnestly advocated, before the com
mittee as we'll as the House, What Is
known as the Free Home bill, proyid-
ing for free homesteads on the Nez
fierce, Occur d'Alene and other reser-
vatiors. Assisted liberal pension legis-
lation and secured pensions for many
old soldiers. Advocated pension legis-
iation In favor OF volunteers who served
In Indian wars.
Secured the esta blishmert OF several
hundred miles OF additional postal routee
in Idaho, together with the establish
ment OF great many postoffices.