The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1914-03-01

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PAP aAe 10 at Men
ERE he gra duated VI
l5s Bachelor OF ATS, auN .
IceiHng the ddefee OF MaSH .
from the same institution FofNs.. 9um-
Der Of years aater his graduation ale
WAS engaged in teaching, later bet I'D
ming the study ol law and gradual NJ
from the law apartment Of Mefl eer
university. He began the praet-cef Of
his profession at Valdosta and quick
~ attained high standing at the bar
Col West is endowed with business
qualifications of the highest order, and
his keen PERCEPTION, readiness Of deci-
sion and firmness Of character soon
brought him as prominently TO the
front IN the business life Of South
Georgia as he was in the practice of
law. He was early identified with the
saw milling and lumber industries in
Georgia and Florida, achieving notable
success.
/ II Ia. eIs fol
interest in public affairs. A Democrat
Eof the old school, able and conseien-
tious, he has been fer years recognized
as one Of the party's leaders in Geor-
gia. From 1892 to 1897 he served as a
member of the lower house OF the leg
stature. and in 1898-99 was a member
of the state senate. In 1860 he de-
ellned TO return to the lower house
but was elected to that body in 1902
and served until 1904. In l905-06 he
was again returned to the state SEN
ate without opposition and was elect
ed president OF that body, In 1908 he
was sent as delegate-at-large from
Georgia to the national Democratic
convention at Denver AS president
OF the senate he displayed marked
ability, dignity and impart!ality, and
MS administration is referred to az
one OF the most notable in tue history
Of the state. During this session some
OF the most important and far-reaching
Legislation during a quarter of a CEN
tury, was enacted. Due largely 20
Col. Vests ability and fairness as u
presiding officer, the momentous leg
lislation enacted at that time was car
ried through with less friction than
any session before or since. At .ns
close Of the session Col West was
presented a handsome loving cup by
the members of the senate in appre.
citation Of his signal service as pre-
siding officer
When Col West first entered the leg
islature In 1892 he introduced the bill
providing for uniform system OF text
books in the common schools Of the
state, which was one of the most Inn
portant measures he ever champ. v
ed. While he continued to introduce
this bill at each successive legislature
1t was opposed with such stubhorune3s
that 1t did not finally pass both houses
until 1908. Georgias educational in
terests have never had Grmer friend
/ than Col West He took great inter
est in the bill establishing the mag,
niiicent state normal college &; Val
J Il aft Il 3,
one Of the largest contributors To the
! fund to purchase the splendid groundg
which are now occupied By that inssl-
tuition. To his effoIts in the legii a
iture and afterwards the state is large
! ly indebted fer the establishment OF
the college.
lie also introduced the bill locking
to the erection of new passenger
station for the w. d A. railroad in At
lanta. which. though defeated, he re-
garded as an important one for the
safeguarding of the states most yal
liable property. Another measure in
which he took great interest was the
bill looking to the leasing of the w. &
~ IdAtNdu UttSI the tANAiatiVh Vi Nls
present lease.
Col, Vests political career. like his
professional and business life, has
been marked not only with ability and
courage Of conviction, but with enusu.
Ial candor and honesty of purpose. His
campaigns for political office have al
ways been pitched On high plane.
and his bold advocacy OF those Times
watch he believed to be best for his
fellowmen Wen tho admiration and OF
en- the votes OF those who disagree ID |
with him. He was never defeated. !
though he several times had strong
and determined opposition.
Since his retirement from the ssh
ate Gel West has devoted mast OF his /
time to his varied business Interests /
and to his farm. one of the best III the /
state. During the past sea8oa Ec gave /
his personal attention to his fauaiag /