Evening star., 1895-09-16
yer men in the west, is one OF the warmest
supporters Senator Davis has.
As q Dark Horse.

There seems to be a great hope among
the Davis men here that when the leading
candidates have failed to secure ma
jority they will turn to Davis in preference
to having the principal rivals selected. 1t
is really interesting to know that the VIC
tory which Quay secured in Pennsylvania
gave the Davis boomers a great deal of
comfort.
1t is not generally known that Quay and
such is the fact Both are great scholars
and readers. They have a great many
mutual literary tastes, and the discussions
they have had has inspired admiration of
each for the others abilities and attain
ments. Stranger things might happen
than that Senator Quay should swing the
Pennsylvania delegation to the Minnesota
man. Then there is the strength of Quay's
friends in the convention.
Oh, there are lots of contingencies which
make the Davis boom large in the eyes Of
Minnesota men.
Personally Making No Fight.
I do not want to indicate that Senator
Davis is making a canvass. He is sitting
quietly in his law office by day and his
library by night and letting matters take
their course. I think it is very gratifying
to him, and it is with considerable pride
that he looks forward to seeing the Mime
sofa delegation going into convention TO
vote for him for President. The corre-
spondence of the Senator since the talk
of his candidacy has gained ground has
assumed immense proportions. He does not
find time to answer all the letters that
come to him. Many of them come from old
soldiers from all parts of the Union. As
chairman of the Senate committee on pen
slons Senator Davis was able to leave a big
mark upon pension legislation, for all of
which the old vets are grateful These men
are promising him support from nearly
every state.
Senator Davis is now engaged in the
practice of law. He is not a politician
When legal questions are to be untangIed,
and since his return from Washington he
mas mad many important cases. At the
courts some of the greatest cases that
have been considered in northwestern
courts. Probably there is no better all
around lawyer in the northwest than SEN
ator Davis. In fact, he has few if any
superiors in the legal profession anywhere
When Congress Is not in session he de-
votes an his time to the law, and even
he continues his legal work while attend
ing to his senatorial duties.
His Literary Tastes.
Minnesota's candidate for the presidency
Is an omniverous reader. He has one Of
the finest libraries in the state, and in
point of rare books his collection is not
rivaled outside of public libraries The
happiest hours of his life are spent among
his books. A person passing his fine resi-
dence on st. Anthony Hill in this city any
night before l or o'clock can see the
Senator sitting in his library reading and
smoking, for with his book he enjoys his
cigar. He can scarcely be tempted from
them by anything else and only the stern
est duty will make him abandon his cozy
corner.
His Career.
Senator Davis has been a favorite in
Minnesota for a great many years. He
Is native of New York, went to Wiscon-
sin when a boy, enlisted in a Wisconsin
regiment and remained in the army until
sent home from the Arkansas swamps to
die. He recovered his health and gradu-
ated in law. In Minnesota he first attain
ed prominence. He was district attorney
for the state and then elected governor
He was a popular official, and his more
enthusiastic friends tried to elect him
to the Senate, even going so far as to bolt
the republican caucus. The result was
that Senator Ramsey was defeated and
for twelve years Davis remained In private
life. Then he was elected without opposi-
ton, and at the close of his term was re-
elected.
His record in the Senate is very satis-
factory to the people Of his state. He
has never talked much, but when he does
it is generally to the noint He is favor
lite son, and his friends see the opening
now for giving Minnesota President