Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-07-15
RON. HENRY G. DAVIS.
Emitted States Senator from West Virginia,
Chairman Senate Committee on
Appropriations.

The Kansas City CAo.) Daily Times pub
fishes in recent issue the portrait OF U. S.
Senator Henry G. Davis, of this State, and
accom- panies it with the-fUlowing admirable
sketch of bis life, in wisich there is a yalua-
BILE lesson for the youth of our land:
We present TO our readers an excellent
portrait Of Hon. Henry g. Davis, United
States Senator from West Virginia. In do
ing so; VIC desire to direct attention to the
fact that our Republic affords-a peculiar field
for the production of not simply SELF
men, but men Of true genius, peers OF the
solid thinkers of the past century, either 10
the Old or New World.
In this connection another singular fact
obtrudes itself: While in the past half CEN
fury. mon of tho type referred to have nearly
disappeared from the arenas OF the other
continent, in America giants of mental might
and moral excellence have arisen to take up
aud consummate those policies which were
only problems with the past generation
This is trre, Notwithstanding that other
truth, that, in the political upheavals of the
last two decades, species OF deuagoglc
fungi have sprung up and fastened them.
selves upon the body polite of which We are
so Justly proud. Lamentahle as this is, 1t
aust be, accepted as one of the collatcrals OF
our peculiar American cirilization-propabiy
a natural adjnnct to full liberty, but an
ephemeral growth that is controlled while in
place, and will inally be welded out By such
men as he of whom VIC write.
From a recent number of leading cotcm'
porary VIC CLEAN that Henry G. Davis was
born in Howard county, Md, November
16th 1928 lie received country school
education, and lived aud worked upon
farm until he was twenty years old. During
the fourteen succeeding years he was in the
employ of tho Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company. Upon severiug this connection
he began mining coal and banking at Picd>
mont, West Virginia. Besides being largely
interested in the mining and shipping Of coal,
and the handling of lumber, he is President
Of the Piedmont National Bank.
Il political advancement dates from 1868,
when he was elected to the House Of Dell
egatcs of Vest Virginia. Three years later
he was member of the National Democratic
Convention which was held in New York,
and in 1872 of the one held in Baltimore
In 1865 he wOs elected to the State Senate,
and upon concluding the term was reelected.
| 1t was during his second term that he was
| chosen as a Democrat to succeed W. 7.
! Wiley, Republican, in the United States
| Senate. He took his seat March 4th, 1871,
and in 1877 he was elected for second term.
| In the Forty-fifth Congress he was Chair
man of the Select Committee to Investigate
| the Finance Reports, Books and Accounts
of the Treasury Department, and a member
/ of tho Committees on Appropriation and
| Agriculture, and Of tho Select Committee on
Transportation Routes to the Soa5oard.
| In the present Congress, besides being
Chairman Of the Committee on hppropria-
tons, he is Chairman Of the Select Commit
| tee to investigate Finance Reports, Books
and Accounts of the Treasury Department
aud member of the Standing Committee on
Agriculture, and that appointed to Audit
and Control the Contingent Expenses Of the
| Senate.
Notwithstanding his insignificant advan>
tagcs, and in the face of more than usual OBJ
stacles, Mr.. Davis has elevated himself to an
euviablc position, among men: This he has
accom- lished because he learned to know
mankind, including self, and to comprehend.
great principles in their practical application:
No one eau critically examine his speeches,
reports and other productions without at
once discerning bis wonderful sclf,acquaint-
ance and his knowledge of the value of
things. These powers have been acquired
by years of thought, of contemplation, Of in
dustry and Of patient research.
The lad who when ernharkiug in life could
scarcely pass creditable examination in the
primary grades Of our public schools becomes
O United States Senator and chairman Of the
most important committee in that body
Aud here, as elsewhere, we fad him equal
to the occasion.
His speeches on the hastings, in the Leg
islatnre or in the Senate, partake of his own
popularity commonplace, but not common,
logical. forcible and earnest.
Mr.. Davis is not an orator, but his speeches
arc delivered in simple, direct and vigorous
style, which, together with skillful use Of
facts and figures. renders his arguments in
cisive and conclusive. In the various com>
mittcos to which ho has been attached he has
governed himself and directed others by that
self poSc and calm judgment that marks the
man The strong features of his character
are strict integrity, indomtable energy, keen
observation of the motives Of men, ready
perception Of what to 60, and how to do it,
and, more than all, his unwavering fidelity
to personal friendships.
The history of the life of such man is OF
moro value to youths Of our country than all
the precepts of the age. 1t teaches them
that, although the advantages of thorough
education are oc iacstimable valuo in the
battle of life, yet it is possible without them
for man of strong mind and good judgment
to rise to tho highcs. social aud political pla~
tea, provided, however, he possesses integri-
ty. courage, energy, and is loyal to his
friends.
PEN, INK AND SCISSORS.