The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-25
SENATOR j. H. McpERMorr.

SENATOR J. II. McpERMoTT.
The many friends of Senator Joseph
II. McDermott win appreciate the fol.
lowing very interesting article from
the Charleston Mail:
Every member of the Senate will
carry - his home the ldndliest feel
ing and the warmest friendship for
President Joseph H. McDermott, who
has presided over the deliberations of
the body with manifest fairness.
firmness and ability. Although
handicapped throughout the session
by sickness. the result Of an attack
of ptomaine poisoning, President Nc
Dermott performed his duties in such
an admirable manner that he Ii
spoken of as the best presiding of
ficer the senate had had in years.
Yesterday there were numerous
expressions of the warm feeling en-
tertained by the members, both Re
pablicans and Democrats, for the pre-
siding officer. Two handsome pres
ents were given by the members. one
by the minority and the other by the
entire body.
All during the session, the solons
became more and more impressed
with President McDermott's ability
as presiding otiicer. He ruled with
such fairness and impartiality that
there was not one appeal from his de.
cisions and NO Senator has any cause
to complain. &,
While It sometimes happens in par
liamenta,y bodies that the minority
is sometimes sat upon with bat little
consideration such a thing did not
happen during this session Of the West
Virginia legislature for President Nc.
Dermott ruled with diplomacy and
tact. He never at any time adopted
tactics that have won for other pre-
siding officers such names as car or
lyrant.
President Mcpermott did not play
any favorites among the Republican
majority. All faction differences were
forgotten by him the moment he took
the gavel and every Senator felt at
once that the president would rule
with square deal policy: The re.
suit was the most harmonious session
in the history OF the Senate.
Daring the As days the Senate was
IL session. President McDermott was
harassed by sickness The attack
Of poisoning left him weak and his
: physicians compelled him to subsist
ON a-diet. 1t will be remembered
that when he arrived in the city as a
candidate for the presidency he was
too III to make his campaign and left
it entirely with his friends. After
this contest was decided he spent near
ly week In hospital and to-day he
is still suffering severely. But this
Illness did not ruff1e his temper and
he kept sweet despite numerous pet
~ worries and annoyances!
1t is small wonder that the Senators
made :he last day Of the session the
occasion for giving some visible to-
ken of their high regard. Early dur
ing the morning session Senator Hat
field offered a resolution of thanks for
the many kindneses and courtesies
from the president and several of the
Senator's in discussing the resolution
paid him glowing tributes.
Then Senator Marshall offered a res.
olution that the Gag which has draped
the chamber be presented to Presi-
dent McDermott and few minutes
later Senator campberr. on behalf or
the Democratic minority, Presented
him with n handsome silver piece. At
the session Thursday night, Senator
AIarshau. who opposed President Me-
Dermott in the organization fight. pre-
scented him with afine gold watch and
fob on behalf Of the entire member
ship.
President McDermott Is one Of the
Senators from the Eleventh district.
5 He is only IS years OF age and has a
family consisting Of d wife and two
children. a boy and girl. His home
IS in Moreantown and there is no dear
er spot In the world FOR him than the
little home that shelters his family.
This is his second legislative SEES
sion. no having been a member Of
the session two years ago. Mr.. Nc
Dermott Is an oil and gas operator
ond has met with more than ordinary
success. having developed several
fields In this State. In these opera-
tons he has always acted independ-
emily and II Is generally known that