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

nl1ttee on pensions. No such important
trust was ever before committed to a
senator in the first months Of his
career. Thenceforward he had charge
Of all pension legislation, general and
private and the zeal, intelligence and
patriotism Of his acts earned for him
the special gratitude and devotion Of
the veterans Of the war Mr. Davis
held that position for six years; labored
very assidiusly, and was the author of
the pension act of 1890, which termin-
ated the demands for excessive pension
legislation, and which satisfied the
soldier element.
The wisdom of this measure, origin
ated by Senator Davis, has been amply
justified by results. It has remained
the law for more than five years, and
It's operation has been so Just, IN spite
Of obstruction, that it may be said to
have settled the character, If not the
detail, Of pension legislation. The fer
ment among the soldier element which,
before the act Of 1890 increased with
every approaching session Of congress,
has since it's passage died away, under
the general conviction that it affords
the fairest most feasible and judicious
adjustment Of pensionary rights and
obligations for the present, at least, OBJ
tainable. This universal acquiesence
in it's provisions is the highest compli-
ment that can be paid to the practical
common sense Of Senator Davis, and
to his devotion to the true interests Of
the brave men who, having been his
comrades in war; are still the objects
of his fraternal solicitude and care.
Senator Davis was also a member
OF the committee on military affairs. His
most important service, however, was
as a member Of the committee on ter
ritories, where ne led the fight for the
admission of the Dakotas, making his
first speech In the senate on that sub
ject, speech which attracted a great
deal of attention. Many of the speeches
of this memorable debate dealt with
signal ability on one or another Of the
various topics embraced in the great
question. That of Senator Davis alone
covered all with fullness and dignity
that made it at once model, encyclo
pedic, historic and judicial statement
ranking among the best examples of
parliamentary eloquence. 1t was his
maiden speech, and it established a
reputation so high that it has since
required the eXertion Of his best pow
ers to maintain 1T. 1t practically closed
debate on the subject in the senate and
compelled a reluctant opposition to
perform an act Of justice in the house.
Since his appointment to a position
on the committee Of foreign relations
Senator Davis has rapidly come to the
front as an authority on diplomacy
studies in that line, his general grasp
Of large questions and his special fac
ulty Of analysis and research have en-
abled him to render services seldom
expected Of new men on that COM
mittee. During the controversies at.
tendant on the Gillian dispute and the
Behring sea matter, Senator Davis was
the trusted confidant and legal adviser
of President Harrison and Secretary
blaine, furnishing, at their request,
briefs on some Of the most intricate
questions involved, which were CRATE
fully acknowledged as very important
contributions toward strengthening
the case Of the government
He opposed in speech a passage
CT bill to subsidize a private con-
struction company to build the Nicara-
qua canal with bonds OF the United
states for 100000 900. His speech was
never answered and the measure never
brought to a vote thereafter.
His most important service to the
state is, probably, his connection WITH
II construction of the new lock at the
sault Ste. Marie, with the improve