Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-05-08
What 1t Costs To Be The
Presidents Brother.

PRESIDENTS Brother.
In these days of shifting politics we
hear much Of the great personal sac
rifces" men are making in behalf of
their party and the country, by accept
ing federal positions. 1t is much rarer
to hear of men declining positions at
great personal sacrifice in the same be-
half.
This observation is excited by the
case of Joseph r. Wilson; of Nashville,
Tenn, only brother of President Wood
row Wilson.
Years ago. before Woodrow Wilson
was ever thouhgt of for President, Joe
Wilson worked as general reporter for
the local paper in GAINESVILLE, Tenn.
where his father was president of the
Southwestern Presbyterian University.
Joe, in his humble occupation Of col
Letting items for the local and personal
columns Of the paper, had great jour
nalistic ambition. 1t was to be sent to
Washington as political correspondent
for some city newspaper. and to sway
national affairs by his writings.
He worked hard. With Scotch thrift
characteristic of his family. he saved
his money until he bought the Clarks-
vile paper His father died. And
then, as a step toward realizing his
ultimate ambition, he sold his news
paper plant and took position on the
Nashville Banner.
There was drudgery in his new work,
but he toiled. faithfully until he was
made state political reporter. His spir-
its bounded. This would be the APP
premiership that would earn him the
position of Washington correspondent
of the Banner. Paintakingly. he COM
piled card index of Tennessee poli-
sicians, and covered" that states
politics as they had>pever been '.cov-
cred" before.
This work won him advancement,
but advancement which seemed to him
off the beaten trail between the Ban
ner Office and the Press Gallery in
Washington. He was made city editor
of the Banner. Still he did not COM
plain, since the new job brought an in
crease in salary to $25 per week He
resolved to work faithfully SO as to be
the most available man in case there
should be vacancy in the Banners
Washington office.
Then, in two or three years, things
happened. Woodrow Wilson became
President, and Joe Wilson's salary had
grown to $35 per week. Nashvill sud-
denly realized that she had the Presi-
dents only brother. The rest of the
country realized it, too. Joe Wilson's
mail grew heavy.
Out of an envelope tumbled an offer
from New York insurance company
at asalary of $i2. 900 per year This
offer was cast into deep shade q little
later by letter from New York trust
company offering $24, 900 for his service.
Realizing that to accept either would
simply amount to selling his distinguish
ed brothers name, Joe Wilson resolute-
ly put both aside.
Then followed an amazing succession
of offers from great newspapers, hold
ing forth dazzling salaries to the Ban
ner's city editor to represent them at
Washington. At last he could realize
the ambition towards which he had
struggled all his life 1t was within
his grasp. lie could accept all the
newspaper offers, syndicate his writings
and thus with a bound attain aff1uence
and power.
But a second thought. If he accept
ed, it would mean that every word of
his writings would be taken by the pub
lic-a inspired and as coming from the
President. It might, nay, it would be-
come continual embarrassment to the
sincere older brother, who is trying with
such deyout singleness of purpose to be
a great President of the United States.
One recent day Joe Wilson INDUCED
himself in the luxury of adding up the
composite salary of his newspaper Of
fers. They totaled $4,000 a year.
For few moments he sat in abstrac-
tion, dreaming for the last time his life
dream. Then he dictated a few letters
of refusal and with sigh turned back
to his desk and his $35 per.-Exponent.