Mitchell, who had been elected for the second time. Senator Slater also served two years as railroad commissioner of this state from 1887 to 1889. He was a man of the strictest probity, and represented the state honestly, faithfully and with ability. He belonged to the old school of public men, lived a plain and simple life, and retired with the respect of his fellow-citizens . Unaided by wealth or influence, he reached the highest office in the gift of his state.
Joseph G. Wilson, who was elected in June, 1872, as a republican, to succeed Mr. Smith, died in 1873 at Marietta, Ohio, where he had gone to deliver a college address, and never took his seat, although his official term began March 3, 1873. He was born in New Hampshire December 13, 1826, graduated from Marietta College in 1846, came to Oregon in 1852, located at Salem, where he became clerk of the supreme court that year and served several years, and in 1860 was appointed district attorney of the third judicial district, and in 1862 was appointed by Governor Gibbs judge of the fifth judicial district, then comprising all of eastern Oregon. He was elected judge in 1864, holding the office until 1870, and as such judge was a justice of the supreme court, thus sitting upon the supreme bench eight years. Mr. Wilson was the republican candidate for congress in 1870 against Mr. Slater, but the entire republican ticket was defeated, Mr. Slater receiving a majority of only three hundred and forty-three. In 1872 Mr. Wilson received a majority of eight hundred and fifty. At the age of forty-seven Joseph G. Wilson was cut off in what promised to be a most brilliant career. No man gave greater promise by what he had already so well done. His death was universally lamented, and his contemporaries without dissent testify that he was an able lawyer, a skillful debater,
