The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-03

disqualified him. He commended also
that the mortgage to Col. Andrews was
not disqualification.
"As well argue that n man has an
interest in road because he's in love
with the Presidents daughter or kin to
the conductors sister. Poppycock.'
The special rate given Ohio Wilson on
his goods TO Round Knob was. Nj.
Burton said, only such rate as was
granted to other people. The road Of
fered a special rate, but Otho had rcfus-
cd to accept 1t.
IF mortgage 10 the first vice-prcsi-
dent is ground of challenge. then Il
mortgage to the second. or third vice
president and SO on down would be Il
ground OF challenge"
Coming back to the case Of Major
Wilson and referring TO his age and
his gray hairs. he said;
Here is n man suspended froia an
office arbitrarily. lie demands a jnry
trial. It's refused. Hc demands 10 he
confronted by his aceussrs. That's re
fused. He demands that he have the OPP
p0rtunty to crosS-eXaminc the Wlt-
nesscs. That also is refused. Aud now
he comes here for a trial on the evidence
and the law.
1T is much to hm-this old gray
headed man who has gone in and out
before you 50 many years blameless. lie,
has knocked at the doors of tha tenn
pies of Justice throughout this land these
many months, and not many has hade
him enter.
And finally he has sat himself down
and waited for those to come to their
own from whom he knew he could Sc
cure Justice. Send him not home to his
children in humiliation and disgrace"
Thrillingly eloquent was this touch
ing appeal and Mr.. Burton most appro-
priately closed it amid APPLAUSE with The
following words from Kipling's Recess
Sional':
Far-called our navies melt away
On dune and headland sinks the fire
Lo. all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre
Judge of the Nations. spare us yet
Lest we forget--lest we forget
Mr.. Burton was followed by Mr.. X.
III. Battle also for the Wilson's -and
more particularly for s. Ohio Wilson.
Mr.. Battle began by saying that TWEEN
ty-four hours ago that he had no idea
of being heard upon this ucstion. As 4
rule he thought il best not TO have coun-
sci on the floor of Il Legislature but in
this case the action was proper SO that
men charged with crime could be rep
resented by counsel.
This is equivalent 10 Il court of inn
peacnment. ! do not believe one OF
The newspapers has understood this II
he had the able and conscientious editor
would not have said Convict. guilty or
not guilty. and interlarded the words
Don't whtewash.' or have published
the cartoon in which the nlaeard no
white-washers wanted here appeared.
WHO are these white-washers: /
have never known Il better committee.
A,e Governor is prosecutor. You are
trying men partly upon public clamor.
If the editor had known YOU were Il
court he would have come very nea.
to the line Of contempt Of court. -
rremler had sail, without thinking Of
his oath, that he could not vote S. Ohio
Wilson a cent of money.
THE question is: Have J. w. Wilson
and s. Ohio Wilson such an interest in
railroads as to disqualify them? That
is the question. The case stands on all
tours whether it is s. Ohio Wilson or
the best man in the State. 1.-The is the
worst man (as the News and Observer
says in North Carolina, he ought to
have q fair trial.
''Iou are raised high above the arena
OF partisan politics. Use the motto: BE
just and fear not.
He read the Governors letters and
reviewed the evidence. arguing that I'M
der the statute commissioner could
not be DISQUALIFIED unless he had pc
cuniary interest. He denied that this
wass the case with either of the VIII
sons
Mr.. Overman Suppose we should
find as a fact that Ohio had an implied
contract that the trains should stop and
Ohio should have the profits. would that
be an interest under the statute?'
Mr.. Battle thought net and said as
matter of fact Otho's mother was the
lessee. and Ohio he'd no interest in it.
and that Maj. Wilson and Col. An
drews swear to the same thing.
Men of character 10 not sell it, for
nothing. Esau sold his birth-right for
a mess of pottagc. Would Col. An
drews. ]. w. Wilson or s. Ohio Wilson
sell their character for nothing the first
year and $3.50 the second year?" He
contended that the change in the eating
house was made solely for the benefit
of the passengers; no evidence whatever
that there was ony agreement" or ..tin-
derstanding.' Interest must arise by a
contract or an inheritance. He took a
wlfack at the character of the witnesses
against Ohio and gave them very bad
name.
IS. Ohio Wilson is better man to-
day than many men in the amen-corncrs
of the church. The only charge ever
against him in court was the charge Of
belonging to a secret society and the
Democratic Solicitor allowed him to
plead nolo contendere. lie is here upon
trial for valuable rights and he is en-
titled to q conscientious verdict. And
! can believe you will rise above pre-
JUDGE and render a verdict Of not
guilty The prosecution has not made
ont case.
He denfended Ohio as Commissioners,
and said he made motions to tax rail-
roads more and TO decrease telegraph
rates. He has done nothing wrong, ac-
cording to Mr.. Battle.
Mr.. Burton has shown how Major
Wilson Invested himself Of his interest
in the hotel. / ask you if s. Ohio Will
son hasn't done more than that. ! defy
any one to find that Ohio Wilson has