The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-15

Two years later Mr.. Davis closed his
law office to serve his country He en-
listed in the United States volunteer
service and served in the Vicksburs
and Little Rock campaigns until 1864,
when he left the service broken down
~ its hardships. Mr.. Davis served
rearly two years in the army of the
tennessee, in Kentucky, Tennessee,
arkansas and Mississippi, a part OF
that time on responsible staff duty.
When disabled Mr.. Davis resigned his
commission as first lieutenant Of
company b, Twenty eighth Wisconsin
regiment and, like many others, came
~ Minnesota, where he sought and
1Cund restoration to health.
In the same year Mr.. Davis COM
menced the practice Of law in st. Paul.
anu FORMED a copartnership with his
Iate chief in the army service. Gen.
W. A. German, ex-governor Of Mime
sofa Territory. He was at once recog.
L i. as promising lawyer and bril-
liant orator, and was quickly sought
OUT and pressed into service as a cam
palgn speaker. In the fall of 1866 he
was elected to the state legislature
from one of the ST. Paul districts and
served ef11c1ently in that capacity. In
dooo Mr.. Davis was appointed United
states district attorney, in which Of
nee he served for five years. His record
+ here was one of fine professional sue
cess, soon placing him In a leading
position at the bar and rendering him
prominent in the political counseIs of
the party. In the historic congressional
campaign Of 1868, when Ignatuis Dom
nelly frst found the Republican party
uncongenial, Mr.. Davis was one Of the
chief figures in the anti-Donnelly fac
ton.
In June, 1873, Mr.. Davis was nom
mated Tor governor of Minnesota. He
received the nomination by a majority
OF one. Twenty years afterward. he
was reelected to the United States
senate by the same narrow majority.
Hence Mr.. Davis looks upon "one' as
a cabalistic number. He was duly
elected governor. The ISSUE upon which
he was elected, which was then hotIv
contested, was the right of the state
to control the charges of railroads. In
asserting this right he was a pioneer.
such railroad legislation was passed
during his term of Office and enforced.
1t has now became such a matter of
course that few people remember how
vigorously contested and doubtful the
right was at that time.
During his term as governor Mr.
paws was a candidate for the United
states senate. There was q protracted
contest which finally resulted in the
choice of Chief Justice Mcmillan. Dur
ing that contest Mr.. Davis was
repeatedly promised sufficient Dem
ocratic votes to elect him SEN
ator If he would publicly criti-
else the actions of Generals Grant
and Sheridan in regard to federal In
reference with the mob at New Or
leans. This he positively declined to
do
1t was during his term that the
grasshopper plague devastated South
western Minnesota, everything in fact,
west Of Lake Crystal. In order to help
the people Of the country, he expended
nearly 100000 in money, which he
raised by contributions from the peo-
pie, and probably sent in an equal
amount in supplies, clothing, etc.
To the great surprise of the politi-
clans and regret of a great many of his
friends, Mr.. Davis declined a renom-