The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-02
THE WILSON CASE-THE REPORT
WILL BE DEFEATED.

| The Legislature will not adopt the re-
| port of the committee which recon-
mended the reinstatement of Maj. J. W.
| Wilson and s. Ohio Wilson.
That was apparent yesterday when it
strength of its advocates was less than
fifty votes When the report was first
presented, it is probable that it would
have secured a majority vote, but since
the evidence has been studied by the
members it is clear that this Legsla
ture will not make the blunderSof adopt
inc a report which depends solely upon
Il strained narrow construction of the
law. and which is not supported by the
weight of the evidence. Every day
since the publication of the evidence the
chances of adopting the report have
grown less and less.
1t is too important matter to be de-
eided without giving all the light. and
when request was made to allow argu-
ment upon the evidence, it was given,
and it is expected that this afternoon
the lawyers i'll the case will address the
General Assembly upon the evidence
and the law. There could have been no
complaint if the General Assembly had
settled the matter without argument, in
asmuch as the committee heard argu-
ment, but when it was stated that Maj.
Wilson and s. Ohio Wilson desired to
have their cases argned, the body wisely
granted their request. Some of the OPP
ponents of the adoption of the report
argued that the proposition to hear ar
gument was merely a plea for time,
that the advocates of the report saw
they were defeated and hoped to turn
the tide by securing delay. However
that may be. no man ought to be tried
without being given every opportunity
to have his case presented to the jurors
Ten days ago most of the supporters
of the report were declaring that the
cases of Mai. Wilson and S. Ohio Will
son were identical. and that they must
stand or fall together. Yesterday they
plead for separation of the cases, de-
claring that there was evidence apply
ing to one which did not apply to the
ether. One gentleman said that the fact
that Maj. Wilson sold his interest in the
Round Knob hotel when it was suggest
ed that it disqualified him, made it pos
sible and proper to clear him of the
charge whereas it might be equally
proper TO convict S. Ohio Wilson.
The earnest desire to have the cases
separated may not have been prompted
by the knowledge that vote
on both together would certainly show
a majority against the report, but that
fact is plain now to all who were pres
cnt yesterday or who know the temper
of the body.
The suggestion that those who are
opposing the adoption of the report are
influenced thereto by political motives is
unwarranted The men who lead the
fight against reinstatement would be
glad TO vote for it if they could con-
scientiously do so. But they have read
the evidence, they have become con-
WINGED that there was an agreement be-
tween the railroad officers and
the Commissioners with reference
the co-ownership and leasing were dis
qualifying Interests" and under their
oath they cannot vote for reinstatement,
as much as they would like to sustain
the committee. They have made up
their minds to allow no appeal to parts
an hatred and just contempt of Russell,
partisan hatred and just contempt
of s. Ohio Wilson, or partisan desire to
assist Maj. Wilson to influence their de-
cision. These influences, which weigh
equally in favor Of and against the re-
port, will have no weight with the jurors
The appeals vote for the report to
own Russell or vote against the report
to destroy s. Ohio Wilson" are on
Far. and no man who is worthy of a seat
in the General Assembly will vote from
any such consideration. Those who APP
ply these arguments under-rate the in
telligence and justice of the Legislature
The report will not be adopted because
the evidence abundantly and irresisti-
bly, proves to the minds Of most men ex-
actly the contrary of what it established
in the minds of the committee.
1t will be a bunder that will mar the
excellent record of this Legislature to
n. fo,. i,s.