The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-21
TUESDAY. ..... February 81, 1899.
THE WILSON MATTER-1T'S WISE
SOLUTION IMPORTANT.

SOLUTION IMPORTANT.
1t is not our province to tell the legal
representatives of the people what
course they ought to pursue in any
given matter. 1t is the duty of a
Democratic paper, charged with the re-
sponsibility of advocating the right. to
state its views upon important matters
with all plainness and sincerity.
The Legislature in joint session to-
dav will consider the most delicate and
important matter that has yet come UP
for consideration. Much depends upon
whether this matter is settled wisely.
More than year ago Major James
w. Wilson and S. Ohio Wilson We're
removed by the Governor as Railroad
Commissioners upon the allegation that
they had such interest in railroads as
made them ineligible under the law. We
said at the time-we reiterate it to-day
that no such power ought to be
lodged in the hands of any man. That
power ought to be taken from the Gov
ernor in the new law. As to the motives
that influenced the Governor, they may
have been base. He has not been act
uated by good motives in any thing he
has done, and we are prepared to ap-
plaud the Legislature if it would inn
peach him before it adjourns.
AS to Major James w. Wilson, he
was chosen on the Commission when 1t
was created because he was a practical
railroad man and looked at matters from
that standpoint. He has done on the
Commission what might have been ex-
pected from railroad man who was
not in sympathy with the demand for
reduction of railroad fares and freight
charges. We have never joined in any
attempt made by Russell and his gang
to put stigma upon him though in
three matters he acted in such a man
ner as would have disqualified him i'll
acting as juror in any ordinary suit
in which VicGPresident Andrews or
the Southern Railway was party, to,
wit:
|. He. as co-owner with Col. An
drews of Round Knob Railroad eating
house, secured s. Ohio Wilson, Railroad
COMMISSIONER Ito run that house. II
was valueless unless the trains stopped
there for dinner. As soon as s. Ohio
Wilson rented it, the trains all stopped
there for dinner.
2 He, as. Chairman of the Railroad
Commission, requested the Southern
Railway to give special rates on furni
ture to be shipped by ). Ohio Wilson
Railroad Commissioner, to the Round
Knob eating house. The railroad re-
piled, offering low rates or "dead-head
rates if desired.
9. He borrowed money from bank
and yice-President Andrews was his
surety.
While not one Of these things conycts
Major Wilson of corruption, either OF
them would disqualify him from serving
on any jury in which Vice-Presiden
Andrews or the Southern Railway was
a marty. 1t Is true that an intimate
personal friendship had existed between
him and the Vice-President many year.
and their ownership of the hotel ante
dated his election as Commissioners.
As to S.. Otho Wilson there is no room
10 doubt that his removal was the on
decent act of Russells disgraceful al
ministration. and we have no idea tha
he could obtain cent of salary at tn
hands of any jury in North Carolina.
he thinks he can, let the Leglslatnr
give him the right to sue III the courts
If after hearing all the evidence ant
testimony as to his character any jur
finds that he was fit to be Railroad Com
missioner. nobody will object 10 his re
ceiying the salary claimed. But Their
is NOT n man, woman or child who Know
him and his career who would ever con
sent to have him re-instated as halifoa
Commissioners There are strong rea
sons why this Legislature should not ct
instate him-so strong that it is startlin
70 every resident of Wake count.
where he is best known, that any ma
IN Tho State should seriously recommen
that a Legislature like the presea
should re-instate him in a responsible