The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-03-28
WALTER E. DANIEL.
SENATOR FROM THE FOURTH SENA-
TORIAI. DISTRICT.

TORIAL DISTRICT.
Walter E. Daniel, of Weldon. NC,
was born August 18th, 1859, at Wei
don N. C. He was educated at Wake
Forest College and graduated with
high honC.s with the class of 1877.
He read Law and passed the Supreme
Court examination in 1880 before he
became q age, and his license was
held unit; lie reached the required age
of twenty-one when he began prac-
ticing his profession at his home in
Weldon.
His ability as a lawyer and success
full practitioner was soon recognized.
He was appointed and served four
years as solicitor of the inferior court
of Halifax county, after which he was
elected solicitor of the district, which
position he filled with great fidelity
and acceptability from January 1895,
to November, 1906, when he resigned
to represent the Fourth District in
the senate. He was made chairman
of the Judiciary Committee and was
member of the following commit
tees: Rules, Appropriations, Federal
relations and Appropriations.
Senator Daniel was easily leader
in the Senate and his services IS a
member of the Conference Commit
tee to frame passenger rate reduc-
ton bill that would be acceptable to
both houses, entities him to the graft
tude of all the people Of the State who
favored real rate reduction. He was
the author Of an important bill to
construe penal statutes against rail
roads and to require them to furnish
cars. His position for effective anti
trust legislation, and, indeed for all
the great measures proposed by him
self and others, showed that he was
a Platform Democrat of the best type.
Mr.. Daniel was easily one of the ablast
men in the Senate and was the re-
cognized leader III the great fight for
PASSENGER rate reduction, which COM
manded more public interest than any
measure during the session. In his
victory IN that fight, Mr.. Daniel show
ed leadership of high order and in
al great measures before the Senate
Mr; Daniel made record for ability
and devotion to the interests of the
people that will be approved not only
by his constituents, but by the State
at large, for his leadership in the
Senate made him leading figure in
the affairs of the State,
JOHN B. NEAL.
MEMBER OF THE House OF REPRE-
SENTATIvEs FROM HALIFAX COUNTY.
Major John B. Neal, of Scotland
Neck, was born Mufreesboro, Hert-
ford county, February i, 1889, and
was educated in the common and high
schools of Florida, Virginia and North
carolina. He was married to Miss
Nannle~E. Smith, of Scotland Neck,
on the Ia of December, 1865, and on
February p, 1883, to Miss Sallie E.
Mcdowell, of Murfreesboro. He is a
member of the Episcopal church. At
the outbreak of the Civil War Major
Neal was resident of the State of
Louisiana, and enlisted in Drew's
Battalion, and came with it to Vir-
:sinia, remaining there till November.
1861, when he was appointed Second
Lieutenant in Company |. First North
Carolina Cavalry. He was promoted
to captain in 1862 because of his dis
tinguished bravery and magnificent
leading qualities, and he became mai
or on the staff of General L. S. Baker
in 1868. After Gordon's death, (the
latter having succeeded Baker, who
had been wounded), Major Neal serv
ed on the staff Of General Rufus Bar
ringer, of Charlotte, till the surrend
err. He was never wounded. On
Aug. LIST 1863, he was put on the roll
of honor for gallantry exhibited in
the cavalry fight at Brandy Station.
Major Neal is now engaged in the
life insurance business, being district
manager Of the Security Life and
Guaranty Company. He was elected
to the House of Representatives by a
majority of |, 100 votes. He took
deep interest in the bills increasing
the pensions of Confederate veterans
and promoting the cause of educa-
ton. He was chairman of the Com
mittee on Library, and served on the
following other committees: Insur-
ance, Appropriations, Pensions, Agri-
pI1lt11rQ E,d1, catio;,. EaJ oroJ DoJ,