The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-06
EX-SENATOR DAVID DAVIS.
How He Protected His Lamb" In the Treas
ury Department.

Warrington Letter.
Whenever q public man Is talked about in
Washington some tough stories flow, and one
can now and then get one out of the drift that is
worth repeating. Here IS one about David Davis
that was new to me. and seemed worthy of pres
e~rvation; Shortly after i'olger had made his
friend j. b. Butler appolntmentclerk of tho Treas
ury Department a young Illinois congressman
named Davis came into Buffers Office one day
and remarked that no wanted A place for &
soldiers widow with seventeen small children,
and the wolf at the door. But said Butler,
there is no vacancy" Well said the congress
man, make one; there's a woman here from my
district; turn her out and give her place to my
friend" But, demonstrated Butler, she's a
good clerk and o soldiers widow besides,
and has half a dozen young. ones TO
provide for" Never mind" said the self
sufficient young congressman, turn her
out; turn her out y Well, said Butler, IN
send for her papers" When they were brought
he saw on their back recommended by David
Davis He saw It at a glance, and saw also
how he could have some fun with the fresh
young man from Illinois. SO he placed his
finger over that line and showed the young Con
gresham from the papers that the clerks record
was an excellent one. 81 don't care, he snapped
out, Il want her place for my friend. You
must turn her out" Butler replied that if the
congressman would put his request in writing
he would consider il. So the congressman put
it in writing and signed his full name. The
same day Butler sent for the clerk and told her
that her place was wanted 0y the young con
gresham. ono SAlu eno Woutu see hef IN
hucnce." Next morning, while Buffers room
was filled with people, a big man strobe in, part
ing the crowd. and marched right up TO the desk
of the appointment clerk. The latter had never
seen David Davis, but ne recognized him at
once. my name is David Davis" growlei the
Senator; 'are you the appointment clerk Yes,
sir" said Butler, Well. what are you bother
ing Mrs Blank fort Isn't she the only appoint
ment I've got in this department. What are
you troubling her forF I'm rot troubling her
said Butler; Il simply told her that had had a
request for her place from an Illinois congress
man" 'Illinois congressman" shouted David
DAVIS. who was very angry; 'wha. Illinois con
gressman| Who's troubling my lambs!' For
reply Butler handed him the request Of the hi
nois congressman. After David Davis had read
it he paused for a m0meut. and then said: on
is that the fellow Well. I'll fix him. III invite
him to dinner. and he'll .sithdraw this request
Then he bolted off. Next morning the young
congressman came in. Tie led Butler into a
corner. I'D like to withdraw that request | left
with you the other day about an Illinois clerk.
On the whole. | don't want that change made.
You see, fact is. old David Davis takes an inter.
est in that clerk, and he's just invited me to din.
ner. Id feel like \ hog to eat HIS dinner with
that request still on file Tho request was re
turned and burned, and tho David Davis widow
il still in place.