The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-07
THE wilson's INDICATED
Their Suspension Over
ruled.
OHIO WILSON RESIGNS

Morning I'm JOINT Session Decided the
Case In Their Favor-The Two Cases
Voted on Separately-The Case Argu.
cd by Attorneys and Legislator. on
Eorh sidcs-Exciuug scenes Dr.-ng
the Sitting
Especial to The Messenger.)
Raleigh, y. c., March AT Ais the
senate and house met in joint session
TO hear the case of j. w. and S. Ohio
Wilson. James c. MacRae, counsel for
the governor, opened the argument.
The galleries and Hobbies were packed.
MacRae said this body sat as a court,
eQualled only by the supreme court;
that the governor whom he represent
ed, was no prosecutor, a volunteer in
his presence by counsel here today;
hat the governor had strictly follow
ed the law regarding the removal and
then his duty ended, but that he was
invited to be present here; that OF
course the defendants were entitled TO
be heard here by counsel; that the
governor had never attempted to re-
move the Wilson's, but simply sus-
pended them; that this was not done
in a corner, but with elaboration and
nxiou consideration, careful inquiry
and legal advice; hat all the courts
had sustained him at every step, ven
the highest court in the world, the SUI
preme court of the United States; that
the governor does not hesitate to take
up this burden, and justify his acts.
MacRae said: Il roll the responsible
ity upon you, gentlemen, of this gen.
| eral assembly, in this matter; upon you,
it rests. You can't make the governor
| prosecutor and relieve yourselves of
it," He devoted his attack to Ohio
Wilson and said his time expired be-
| fore he could say anything about the
other member of the commission (mean-
ing Major Wilson,.
| Robert Q. Burton opened the
] ment for James w. Wilson. He said
/ the legislature sat in this case as a
| court, unique in law, and with no
| court to review the findings; that the
case is to be decided, not upon a
| clamor or upon the assertions Of news
! papers, but as judge and jury sworn
in Gods sight to try it according to
| the evidence; that he could not join
| in MacRae's praises Of Governor Rus
| sell and his justice in the matter of
this removal; that the governor was
| ccusO prosecutor and judge, who de-
| cided upon letters from some rampant
! BLACKBOARD or some skulker who
would not reveal his identity; hat the
. courts should have rebuked this arbi-
| trary exercise of power the legislature
] cannot take into consideration n in
| terest Wilson had in Round Knob
| hotel at the time of the election, be
| cause that was held to be passed upon
Il nv, tho nnnainfino nu-nr. thnt Nj ainr
| Wilson was elected in 1891 and re-elect-
| ed in 1898; that the governor, after all
| the mischief was done, sought to bolster
up his actions; had refused to Major
| Wilson every privilege of a citizen.
Concluding, Burton spoke feelingly
/ of Major Wilson as a man who had
walked honorably before the people of
| North Carolina for more than sixty
| years; who asks vindication from these
unjust charges; that the door of the
temple of justice had for eighteen
| months been closed to him; that he a
waited until the king came to his own
again, and the true people were in
| power once more, and he would be
| given the inalienable right of a citi-
zen; that the newspapers and anony-
nous letters had bounded him. Bur-
ton closed with a magnificent quota
ton from Kipling's "RecessionaI' in
dramatic style, and was rewarded with
hearty applause from members and a
| great demonstration by the galleries
and lobby.
r. H. Battle argued in behalf Of
Ohio Wilson. He denounced a news
paper here for making daily appeals to
the legislature to convict Ohio Wilson,
guilty or not guilty; that this paper
declared there must be no white-wash-
ing of Ohio Wilson,; that this was a
reflection upon the committee which
had SO ably heard this case; that this
newspaper must not lave known that
this legislature is sitting as a court;
for if so, it was dangerously near the
line Of contempt of court; that Otho
ern railway; that the railway had no
interest in Round Knob; that the pas
sengers had interest; that Colonel An
drews and Major Wilson were not men
who would sell their characters: He
was sure the legislature would rise
above prejudice and return a verdict
of not guilty. The governor, who had
partly elevated Ohio to his high ONCE,
had turned against him, and a former
friend had become a personal enemy.
In conclusion he said: He is not gull
ty of charges thus wantonly made
against him by the governor
w. c. Douglass closed the argument
for the governor. He said he was at
torney tor the governor, and had no
apologies to make for it.; that Major
Wilson did have an interest in the
: Southern railway and had interest in
property with A. B. Andrews; that
Andrews is the Southern railway COM
pany. condensed. If n of the Will
sons is guilty both are guilty.