Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-17

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study to utilize it for the advantage and ad-
vancement of his State, while, at the same
time, he was faithful 10 all his obligations
tothe NATHAN. And IL Is but his due that
IL be said that net a year has passed
when he has not contributed very largely
to the material welfare of the State, to
whose service he has devoted so much Of
his time and energy.
VII.
-. Quitting Public Life. ~
This plain recital of his public aud pri-
yate life Is by no means q complete his
tory of his achievements. No less could
be truthfully said of him by q critic;
much more might be expected from
friend. But before recording my estimate
of his character and career il is due to him
to refer to the crowning act of his service
to West Virginia. Besides increasing his
own interests in the soil, mines, timber
lands and business of the State he seemed
TO have always made it his aim to induce
other capitalists to invest their money and
energy in developing the magnificent pos.
sibilities of the child of war. He has sue
ceeded so we'll that the very triumph seems
to have forced him TO give up public life
at the moment when his influence is most
commanding, and his power to serve his
State far greater than ever before in his or
its history. For the truth OF this assertion
look at the West Virginia Central railroad.
the child OF his recent creation. The con-
spicuous names that appear with his are
the best evidences OF the far-reaching faith
that strong men have in his practical judg-
ment and foresight. He heads the direc-
tory, as President Of the road, with Hon.
s. b. Elkins of New York, his son-in-law,
as Vice-President; then follows the names
of ex-Seeretary Blaine, of Maine; Senator
Bayard, of Delaware; Senator German, OF
Maryland; Senator Window, Of Mime.
sofa; William Keyser, OF Baltimore; Hon.
Augustus Schell, of New York; ex-senator
Barnum, Of Connecticut; Gen. Daniel Il.
Sickles Of New York; his colleague in the
Senate, johnson ~ Camden, and half q
score of other eminent leaders in the poll
tics, society, and business OF the country.
The road is built to Fairfax Stone, where
the two Virginias and Maryland meet and
shake hands. Six millions of capital are
represented in the stock OF this road, which
traverses the Elk Garden coal fields; will
90 through, when completed, the wonder.
full timber lands of the Blackwater region,
the wilds of the Cheat river, and the fertile
valley of the Greenbrier, until it joins the
Chesapeake and Ohio system. This enter
prise, which for years has been pet pro-
iect of Senator Davis more than year
ago fixed his determination to leave the
Senate, in order that he may give more
time to il and his other vast enterprises.
With the chance of reelection, almost,
if not, without an effort, he gives politi-
cal life up at the expiration OF his pres
ent term. The following letter tells the
story
PIEDMONT, w. Va, November Is.
| have recently received number OF
letters and personal inquiries from mem
bers OF the Legislature. elect, candidates
for the United States Senate, and other
friends, asking me if would be a candidate
for reelection, and expressing their pre-
ference for me, il such was my intention.
To all such inquiries my general answer
has been that for the past two or three
wears / have often said, in public and
private. that would not be candidate
Tor reelection. Business is more agreeable
to me than politics, and am now engaged
in numbering mining banking and farm
ing. and in connection with some friends
who are capitalists. living both in and out
of the State, am constructing a railroad,
running north and south through an I'M
developed, country rich in mineral timber,
and agriculture wealth. and intend, when
completed, to connect the Baltimore q Ohio
and Chesapeake & Ohio railroads. My
ambition is to make success OF these enter
prIses, especially the building OF the rail-
road. These and other private matters are
reasons which forbid my beinga candidate
for reelection. :,
In the many trusts heretofore confined
to my keeping ! have always underworld
to do my full duty; and thank the people
of the State, and especially my friends, Tor
the political honors that have been con-
ferred upon me. Very respectfully,
This letter and the purpose it declares
gives an additional interest TO what Is here
written of Mr. Davis, and fifty rounds out
to its finishing point striking epoch IN
the annals OF a remarkable life.
Unlike most men who have achieved dis
tinction in the Senate, he retires from
public station while yet in his promise
and in the full flower OF his usefulness, both
to himself and his State. When he leaves
the Senate and turns bis attention entirely
to his business and the enjoyment OF what
he has accumulated the people OF West
Virginia will understand how well he has
done his duty to them. A successful man
is always target for the harsh criticisms
OF the enviOus, no less than OIL the
malignant. do not recall single step in
the career of Senator Davis, from the time
when he was first nominated for the
Legislature up to the present, that was
not followed by the detractions OF those
who believe in theories that come from
education rather than the ability that
springs from practical knowledge gathered
from the fields OF adversely. This may net
have been unnatural, for even those who
gave him their best wishes have wondered,
with. each new advancement, whether he
would be equal to its demands. In every
case he RAPIDLY settled the doubts OF his
friends and silenced cavil. He surmounted
each obstacle as il was met, developing
some new latent mental resource that
lifted him up to the occasion so easily that
his friends were astonished and his enemies
confounded. II was even so from the day
he toiled as a lad on farm, and in the man
agement OF an estate. The duties oil a rail-
road brakeman he soon learned. He took
charge OF a freight and then passenger
train, with success; and the agency OF
railroad at an important station, he filled
with credit, after he had faithfully and
skillfully served as supervisor. In all OF
these emplOyments when be worked for
others, he easily met tie requirements OF
each new duty, and gained the confidence
of his superiors. by his easy manners,
sterling qualities, and intelligent discharge
kst every task assigned him.
After Nr, Davis left the railroad com
|pans and bekan business for himself, each
sisp Nss E?u0ssd ~ ihe same unvarying
and quist gpcoess Nhena The war was
over and be entered he iield d pelitics, /
READ - ni&i wing % his ffieD1s - his
eicctaSs TO Tie Leo platarss aGafn N|hea ~
was chosen Slate fsnetof; ed e.1h. uHs
he was sent d the ljaifsd blait - |<A "a
politics, in businest UPON ~ ~ ~ 81
the farm, the necessitiesof tNcd ~ <II&r
ton educated him TO meet ftsaoll'|.01f
with conspicuous satisfaction TO an ~
is one of the most striking examples OF the
possibilities open 10 all who deserve the
prizes of life by winning them, that cao
recall. His career furnishes most nota-
bic instance of a man whose natural re.
sources are fertile enough to raise him 70
the highest standard Of business and Doliti-
cal distinction. without buster. All that
Is here written could be justly said 70 the
credit OF Mr.. Davis by a critic, and 1t Is all
that a friend need say. The record requires
no definition or euiogy.
There are few men who can speak with
more intimate familiarity OF his moods.
habits, and temperament than myself.
Fof years 1 was brought into association