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

in 1885, known as the Van Solen case,
in ST. Paul
Mr.. Davis has had an unvarying rule
for more than twenty years of not
doing any law business at his house;
he has no law books there, and this
has given him considerable opportunity
to indulge his literary tastes, which he
has done in many lectures, notably on
Madam Roland and Hamlet" He Is
also the author of work on the Law
in Shakespeare" and in this connec-
ton it should be noted that Senator
Davis is one Of the best Shakespearean
scholars in this country today, having
brought to his aid in the study of the
great poet, the clear critical and
analytical powers of a trained legal
mind.
Mr. Davis is a man of fine literary
tastes, compounded with large
amount of business capacity. His mag
ntficent- library of 5000 volumes bears
testimony to his love of literature
Aside from his Shakespearean re-
searches, Mr.. Davis literary specially
is the study Of the Napoleonic Htera-
ture. His collection Of books that the
little Corsfcan inspired Is unexcelled,
including, as it does, many works III
the original French, which have never
been translated into English. Senator
Davis reads French huently, as we'll
as Italian. When he has a large pile
Of books sent to his Washington resi-
dence, there are sure to be among
them works in French, Italian and
Latin, which last language Mr.. Davis
DID not cease studying when he left
college. Indeed he has kept up nearly
al college studies save the Greek Ian
guage, which he dropped after receiv-
irg his degree Reading Virgil, how
ever, is one of his favorite pasttimes.
Senator Davis is essentially a stu
q 01thOnPh hos
pitable to a degree in his own home.
He lives in a rambling wooden house
on the southeast corner Of Laurel and
harrington avenues, situated on a
large lot and shaded by lofty oak trees.
His family consists of Mrs. G. K. Davis
and his father and mother, who are
etghty-five and eighty-one years of age,
respectively. When congress is in ses-
sion, Mr.. and Mrs. Davis reside in
Washington, d. c., in an unpreten-
tious house on Massachusetts avenue.
Mr.. Davis married Miss Anna NAL
colin Agnew in 1880. Mrs. Davis was
born in st. Paul, of Scotch parents.
Mrs. Davis has been a great help to
Senator Davis in conducting the nu-
r1erous social functions at the national
capital which United States senators
the expected to give. These events are
semi official in character, and Mrs. Da,-
Wis has presided over them with a re-
markable degree of efficiency and sue
&C SIS, and has in consequence attained
much popularity in Washington
When congress is not in session, Sen
ator Davis maintains his residence in
st. Paul, and deVotes himself to his
law practice, having associated with
him when he went into the senate,
Frank B. Kellogg and c. A. Severance,
who are still his partners.
Senator Davis is a keen observer of
his fellowman. His judgment of the
caliber, ability and temperament of the
prominent men with whom he has been
associated in public life is unerring, yet
lenient, just yet generous. While con-
versing with a representative Of the
G o b e. Senator Davis, when asked
what he thought of Maj McKinley's
qualifications for the highest Office in
the land, answered:
''Mr. Mckinley is a man Of very large
official experience in the practical af-
fairs, economic and monetary, with
which his administration will have to
do. He Is of an equable temperament |
his mind is deliberate in its processes,
and I have no doubt that his admins
tration will prove memorably success
full"
In view of the opinions recently ex-
pressed by .Chauncey Depew, Gen.
Horace Porter and some other promi- |
nent men regarding the advisability of
amending the Constitution of the |
United States, so as to lengthen the
term Of Office Of the president. Sen
ator Davis was asked to express his |
views on the question. He said:
II am not in favor of a change in |
the present term of the presidents 1t |
has stood for over 100 years, and while |
it produces frequent political agita- |
lions, yet short term affords a fire. |
quent recurrence to the people, and i
thereby prevents abuses becoming in |
veterate, as they would in a longer |