The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-30

shat is necessary. l am opposed to the unlim-
tied coinage of silver just rs am to the demone-
tzation of silver Let us maintain the double
standard, and coin enough silver to meet the de-
mands of commerce. In that way, in my
opinion, the solution for this difficulty must be
found"
Judge Davis strongly disapproved the PROPOSE
ton to increase the number of judges in the Su
preme Court of the United States. There
too many judges now" he remarked. THE
number should he reduced rather than increased.
There should be reform in the circuit, however,
where there is pressing need for an increase In
the number OF law judges
When asked for his opinion of the necessity
for executive sessions of the Senate of the
United States, Judge Davis said it would be
mistake to abolish them.
ssThcre is popular Instrumentation of the pur
pose, and value, aud necessity of these secret ses
sons,' he said. ut would be worse than en-
barrassng 10 discuss openly foreign treaties and
other diplomatic matters, and regarding the
business OF the executive sessions In its narrow
est phase it would be the reverse of good
think to discuss in open session the compare
lively petty matter Of presidential nominations.
Lit is often necessary, III examining the character
of presidential nominee to go into matters
which must be probed in the interest of the pub
lie service that it would be positive cruelty
to parade before the public. The ex-
ecutlre session protects the public service
in the more restricted sphere of its
duties and there is no danger of its use as star
cause each party has its Senators present and
Jealous to prevent schemes of that character.
The executive session will endure, as 1t should.
To put an end to 1t would materially interfere
with the usefulness and dignity OF the Senate.
Among other things, the Senate chamber should
never be made the public arena for the scram-
tlers for Office"
''One of the reporters asked Judge Davis what
he conceived would be tho future of the Republic
an party. He replied: 81 suppose n will continue
to exist while Northern people believe that the
negro in the South either by force chicanery is
deprived of his right to vote. But the outlook will
not BE- clear until we have the result of the next
presidential campaign If in that contest the
Republican party should be tremendously beat
en-. 1t might be disorganized and divided up into
new parties. There is / arprehend, stronger
than usual tendency toward new parties, and in
such an event as have indicated, this drift Of
the disseminated might carry off the practical or
ganization of the Republican party into an asso-
citation that might have better fighting chance
against the victorious Democracy. The labor
element might form the nucleus of such an asso-
citation or party
"And in the affairs of the future will you bear
a hand, judge" was asked.
am on. of public life forever Judge Davis
A..led. "The turmoil and triumphs Of the flu
ture shall leave to younger men l was in the
Legislature from 1910 to 1914, in the State Sen
ate from 1915 to 1847, member of the const1tu
tonal convention ia l8lS then Judge for fifteen
years. then Supreme Court justice for fifteen
years and then a Senator of the United States
for six years. That is enough. Now, it only
remains for me to 90 as gracefully as | can to
the end, and am or my way contented. happy.
patient, and without a grievance against SOUL
-s--
Judge Davis's Simplicity and Shrewdness.
Washington Special.
Ekre in Washington, where he was better
known. perhaps, than in any other place outside
OF his own home in Bloomington, the death of
David Davis recalls many of the traits OF that
eminent dar!st ard Senator. Without ever being
what might call popular, he enjoyed the re-
spect Of all with whom he was brought into cbil-
tact He had many friends and no enemies.
Shrewd TO an unusual degree in business mat
tiers, he displayed at times q childish trustful-
ness in the professions of others, which fire.
qutntly led his judgment to be questioned by
politicians less sincere and upright than himself.
He was susceptible to t1attery like schoolgirl
and he would remember an appreciative word
where unknd ono was speedily for
gotten. The relations between Judge Da-
being strained, not entirely cordial,
until one day in the Senate Conk!ing, IN discuss
ing some important bill. seemed to deliver his
remarks exclusively for the benefit Of Judge
Davis. The latter was DISPOSED at first 20 feel
little nettled at thus being made the target of
his colleagues remarks and showed it, Conk.
ling for moment looked astonished. Then,
gracefully bowling to his colleague, no said:
toward Mecca. When speak of the law cannot
resist the temptation 10 address myself to the
most eminent and learned iurist in the Senate,
| mar. Who left the highest judicial tribunal in the
world to give this boay the honor Of his pres.
ence and the benefit of his wisdom" The sar-
except Judge Davis. He took it for honest coin.
and ever after regarded the New York Senator
as of his stanchest friends.
Though in the possession of ample means-hs
wealth was rated in the millons-David Davis
continued to observe the frugal manners of his
early days. even after being appointed Justice
of the Supreme Court and elected Senator
Punctually at o'clock every day he made his
way to the stand kept for many years by
woman called Dyspepsia Mary" and there ate
his lunch, which consisted of two apples. gin
ger cookie and glass of milk costing him Is
cents in all. This billie fare was never changed
In other ways he was equally economical. l
doubt if his expenses before his marriage
amounted to more than $3.50 year. He
lived at an oldfashiored hotel, where
a modest apartment was always
kept in readiness for him. This he
used as sleeping room. sttingroom and Office
combined. 1t was here that he spent most of his
time when not occupied in the discharge of his
official duties. He was at all times accessible to
callers. Though fond of company. he was rarely
seen in society" The empty chatter of draw
ing-rooms had no attractions for him. With
few congenal spirits, however. he knew how to
the agreeable host
BY one Of the Judges friends am told story
which has not appeared in print yet believes
1t IS. think, characteristic of him, and shows
that he was not entirely deficient in humor. A
confidence man, doubt thinking that the
bulky form of the justice would make him an easy
prey to his wiles stepped up to him in the Metro
polran Bank one day. while Mr. Davis was
deposting large amount of money in
bills. 1t was an attempt at the old
trick of dropping bill, drawing the
victims attention to it in the hope of diverting
his watchfulness from the bigger pile of notes
about to be deposited by him, and make away
with them at the opportune moment The
scamp dropped his S. note on the floor, nudged
the Justice in the side with his elbow, and whis-
pered, you've dropped something" s.AI
right, quietly remarked Mr.. Davis, who knew a
icious friend belonged; ''Ill take care of it,