The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-28
QUEER DEVELOPMENTS.
EX-SENATOR DAVIS VISITS THE PRES
IDENT-ELRCT
To Make overtures, Possibly, for His
Son-in-law, Blaine's Former Right
Bower, Stephen B. Elkins, Who is to
Go TO the United States Senate.

The Indianapolis correspondent OF the
New York Tribune telegraphed that paper
on Christmas day that Ex-senator Davis
got there ON the midnight train the night
before, getting on at Cumberland, Md,
where he ran across number OF acquaint
ances, chiefly Democratic Congressman
coming home for Christmas. Ex-senator
Joseph L. Mcdonald was also on the train,
and through the West Virginia politicians
talk to them leaked out some things about
his visit here, which are the gossip about
town tonight. One piece OF interesting
news that he told the Indiana Democrats
was that the West Virginia Legislature
would, beyond doubt, elect Republican to
succeed Senator Kenna. The Democrats,
he said. claimed a majority OF one on joint
ballot, but in the Democratic ranks were
two r-Fusion men, one of whom
would vote for the Republican candidate,
who would in all probability be Gen.
Goh. The Republicans, Mr.. Davis con-
tinued, had elected Gen. Goll Governor on
the face Of the returns, and had also elected
three OF the four West Virginia Congress-
men. II had been almost a clean Repub-
lican sweep, the Democratic electoral
ticket alone pulling through withNa fair
majority.
Talking about the Cabinet Gen. Harri-
son might choose, Mr.. Davis said that the
West Virginia Republicans thought Mr..
Blaine the right man for the head OF the
Department OF State. To him, Mr.. Davis
said, more than TO any other Republican.
/ V.a kra ha VII in
vember. He had met and answered Pres
ident Cleveland's message the day after it
was issued by his Paris interview, and on
the lines he laid down then the protection
lists had won their fight. Mr.. Davis is
himself a Protectionist Democrat, and
! though Mr.. Mcdonald knew that fact he
was not little surprised, he said, after
| ward, TO hear his old former colleague in
the Senate talk so enthusiastically OF a
man who had done SO much TO turn the
| Cleveland Administration out OF power.
| From other things the ex-senator said on
the train his Democratic fellow-travelers
today constructed theory that though
! Democrat, Mr.. Davis had come TO discuss
| the propriciy Of making Gen. Golf Cab
met officer, Secretary OF War or Secretary
Of the Navy. This would leave the field
! open for another Republican 10 succeed
Senator kenna. they argued, and the other
Republican, they darkly limited, was Mr..
Davis's son-in-law, Stephen Il. Elkins.
The certainty, nj last, that the Legislature
will elect Republican, they ventured TO
guess, had sent the ex-senator on his pill
| grimagc to indianapolis.
Such gossip, OF course, could be taken
only for what II was worth. The relations
between the Davis and Harrison families
are close enough in any event to justify q
Christmas call Of congratulations from the
| West Virginia ex-senator When Gen.
| Harrison was in the Senate he became an
intimate friend Of Mr.. Dayis's, and
Mrs. Harrison and her daughter
met the Daviscs constantly In So
ciety and also became warm personal
friends. Gen. Harrison, year or more
ago, visited the Davises and last summer
Mrs. Mckee spent two or three weeks at
Deer Park, with Senator and Mrs. Davis
and Mr.. aud Mrs. 5. Ii. Elkins. Senator
Dayis's other daughter, Mrs. Brown, was
guest at Gen. Harrison's house here for
a long umo this fall. and went home only
about two weeks ago. Mrs. Harrison and
AIa Mckee, too, when they go TO New
York next month are TO spend at least a
day or two at the house OF Mr.. and Mrs.
| =. ID, Giklnt.
What Mr.. Davis said 10 Gen Harrison
is OF course, not known here. Specu-
laiiye politicians arc disposed to overlook
lightly the socialitics which NAV hold men
OF opposite parties together. and they
think that long journey on the day be-
fore Christmas must mean something.
Republican gossip here would make IL
out that Mr.. Davis said something
Il In INl. - hal. N..af.
Col 10 Cabinet portfolio and
also reported the strong desire Of the Re-
publicans Of his State 10 have Mr.. Blaine
Tor Secretary Of state. Disgruntled Dem.
ocrals found significance enough in the
ex-Senator's visit 10 insist that II a strong
anti-Democratic and protection movement
were started In tho New South Mr.. Dayi.
would soon be found among the leaders IN
H. Mr.. Davis went home on the afternoon
train. lie had been scarcely moro thar
hall a day at indianapolis