Helena weekly herald., 1889-12-12
No. 2
TOOK HIS MEASURE.
A New York Statesman as Big a Man
as Lincoln.

Long Tom Davis, of Oswego, NY, was
lawy er of unusual and conceded ability,
an ardent Republican, an enthusiastic ad-
mirer of President Lincoln and, during the
latter years of tie war, valuable mem
Der of the New York State Legislature.
In 1864 he went to Washington, and while
there called on the President with the in
tention of criticising a certain line of pol
icy, the expediency of which was then
questioned by many patriotic citizens.
Besides being tall enough to warrant the
use of the phenomenal adjective by which
he was distinguished from all shorter Tom
Davises, he wss man of sombre tempera-
ment and singular gravity of manner. Life
for him was too short aud serious for
smile; and being for this and other Ie asons
quite incapable of understanding the CHAR
acter of Mr.. Lincoln, he returned from the
capital amazed and panied by the convic-
tiOn, which he did not hesitate to express,
that our illustIious president was little
better than buffoOn.
why, you greatly astonish me, Mr..
Davis" said gentleman to whom he CON-
municated the impressions of the Presi-
dent Il thought you were one of his
warmest supporters"
We'll, I'll tell you," was the reply, "just
how he received me, and you can judge for
yourself. Having been introduced to him
In terms most flattering al a stanch Repub-
lican and efficient member of the legisla-
ture, began to make the suggestions 1
had in mind, whereupon the President,
cycling me thoughtfully, inquired: Davis,
how tall man are you?'
II replied that was feet 2 inches, up
on which he rejoined: why, are you as
tall as that? Come, let me see,' and, back
ing me against door, he took pencil,
marked my height on the jamb, and after
ward his own, the two marks being close
together.
"'We'Ie pretty near of size,' said he.
But, Davis, think my foot is longer than
yours.' So he insisted on measuring feet,
after which he began to discuss our
weights and the size of cur chests and
| arms.
in this way, with these trivial compari-
sons and copjectures, he took up all my
time, fully fifteen minutes, until a man
came in who applied for a clerical position
in one of the departments on the strength
of having lost hand in the defense of his
country.
"Oh, you 90 and see Seward said the
president l don't know anything about
your hand; you may have lost it in steel
trap
Now," concluded Mr.. Davis, earnestly
"do you think he has tine requisite dignity
for so high an Officer"
The interview, of which the foregoing is
a mere outline, seems deliciously amusing
from the fact that Mr.. Davis, patriot and
statesman that he was, had not the remot-
est appreciation of the humor of the Incl
dent. The president, burdened and worp
bowed by his Atlantean load of response
bility. and wearied by long days work,
was in no mood to 60 over with his visitor
ground frequently tIaversed before, per
haps in protracted cabinet debates. Per-
ceiving that Mr. Davis was a man of near
ly his own build, he four d in this topic an
escape from discussion he dreaded. 1t
was this ability to momentarily lay aside
his dignity in laugh or a boyish prank
which enabled Mr.. Lincoln to stand up
under his weight of care, and it was this
which rendered him such an enigma to the
saturnne Mr.. Davis.