The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1905-08-30

hoor made q vigorous and SONS
what vicious speech in support 81
This pet measnre. He had been net
tied by some important amend.
ments adopted by the house which
took away good deal Of the snsr
from the original measure. In facI
the bill had been SO masoulated
that its author scarcely recognized
it and he was annoyed to the extent
of reprimanding the members FOL
mot standing in line with his views
of what was necessary to control
the railway corporations. In this
connection he read a letter from
one of his Kanawha constituents
which contained most abusive Ian
guage when referring to members
who failed to support the Wilson
[bill. At this iunctnre Judge Jas,
Morrow. Of Marion, rose to point
of.order and called the speakers
attention to the insulting language
of the letter and objected to further
reading of the document.
Mr.. Wilson quickly retorted that
he embodied the letter as part of
his speech, and would rely npon
his privilege as a member of the
house to proceed with his remarks.
Here is where he fell into trap.
Scarcely had he announced hisin-
tention to make the insulting letter
a part of bis speech, when Judge
Morrow again arose to question
of privilege and, while deep silence
fell over the body. he gravely NOV
ed that E. w. Wilson, delegate
from Kanawha county, be taken
into custody by the sergeant-a
arms and brought before the bar of
the house upon a charge of DON
tempt. This intimation was as hu-
initiating as it vas unexpected to
MIR. Wilson, who dropped into his
seat and cast an imploring look
toward his colleagues, Judge Fer
guson and VIM. A. Quarter, who
were quick to come to his relief.
It was only by the exercise of q
little parliamentary firmness on the
part of the temporary occupant of
the chair that Mr.. Wilson was saw
ed from a humiliating experience
and allowed to withdraw the letter
or tender an apology without be-
ing brought before the bar of the
house on the contempt charge. Mr..
Wilson afterwards told me that if
the Morrow resolution had been
adopted he would then and there
have rendered his resignation, both
as speaker and as member. have
often thought that this little moi
deut had the effect of tempering
the ardent disposition OF the man
and finally resulted in that dignifi-
ed conservatism which distinguish
ed his gubernatorial career.
Outside of the exciting arena of
politics Willis Wilson was a most
lovable man. He possessed that
innate refinement and magnetic
quality which attracted admiration
And above all his home life was ex
emplary. It was within the sacred
precinct of his household that he
was seen at his best. His wife was
his idol and his children were his
companions. No man needs a
prouder monument than the shrine
of affection which loving hearts
erect in the home oircle to the
memory of the separated. The
fautless man has not yet been dis
covered. Governor Wilson may
have had his faults; it is certain he
had his peculiarities; yet no one
has treasured them up aginst him;
They are all forgotten when con-
trasted with the higher and better
qualities of his nature. He was a
great believer in himself which
impressed some with the idea that
he was dogmetic. Nature had gift
ed him with silver tipped tongue
and the fondness for using it. In
this way he acquired a reputation
for loquaoity. Yet he was never
without listeners and those who
heard him onoe wanted to heer
him again. For when he talked he
always said something. One had
to get next so his social side to
know the deep learning possessed
by the man. He was a great read
er and had a keen insight to hu-
man nature I recall one morning