Evening star., 1897-02-18
Friends and Foes of Mr.. Davis Have
Their Say.
HEARING BEFORE 4 SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr.. Norris Attacks His Personal as
Well as His Political Record.
HIS CAMPAIGN SPEECHES

The subcommittee of the Senate commit
tee on the judiciary. to which has been re-
ferred the nomination of Henry E. Davis
to be United States attorney for the Dis
trict OF Columbia, held a meeting today.
This subcommittee consists Of Senators
Hoar and Hill. both of whom are strongly
In favor of Mr.. Davis confirmation. so
that no doubt is expressed regarding their
report TO the fun committee, which may
not he made until Saturday, and possibly
not until Monday morning
MI h H. Warner was the first witness
before the committee This morning. Mr..
Warner told the members of the committee
that he had heard Mr.. Davis speeches on
many occasions, and regarded them mere
ly as scholarly discussions of the issues
OF the campaign. He remarked that the
language used by Mr.. Davis In regard to
senators and people In general in no wise
compared in severity with the language lie
had heard through realing the Congress
Sicael Record, and according 10 the news
papers had frequenti; been used on the
floor of the Senate by senator's referring 10
ether members of ;hat body.
Mr. warner said he heard the discus
slon between Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Hutchins
in t1eir debate in Convention Hall ard
he had detected nothing in the language
used on that occasion that was not per-
fectly proper.
Mr.. Asa stabler of Sandy Spring. Nd.
appeared before the committee and testi-
fled that he had been present when Mr..
Davis spoke to an audience at Sandy
Spring He said that in that audience
were many ladies of the most refined fam
ihes of Montgomery county, and that there
was nothing in the speech that had aEy
thing harsh about it,
Mr. Norris for the Opposition.
Mr. James l.. Norris appered before the
subcommittee and submitted the case of
the opposition to Mr.. Davis in writing.
Mr.. Norris laid before the committee a full
statement in writing of the reasons ad-
vanced why Mr.. Davis should not he con-
frned as district attorney for the District
OF Columbia In the letter transmitting
various exhibits 1t was stated:
We respectfully submit to the honorable
Judiciary committee of the United States
Senate whether the nomination of Mr.
Henry T. Davis to he at torney for the Dis
trtct of Columbia should he confirmed by
the Senate, with the following information
cfffce"
The first allegation or count had refer
ence especially To Mr.. DaEts' course IN the
presidential campaign. pnd was as follows:
First, his desertton from the political
. party with which he professed to have been
all his life affiliated and the repeated in
stances of his offensive craftsmanship dur
ing the last presidential campaign. mis- per-
sonal and indiscriminate abuse of the dem
ocratic party from which he bolted. wide
cast, through the publication IN the daily
press during the campaign only few
specimens of which are herein submitted"
Quotations are then made from number
OF reports of speeches and statements by
Mr. Davis. In one report Mr.. Davis is
quoted as induising in TRADE of epithets
against Bryan and the free silver support
ers. In which 1t is said he used the express
sIons asses. -revolutionists' and dis
honesty repeatedly He is quoted further
as referring TO the regular democratic or
SaniZation as revolutionary organization
and as speaking of the democratic platform
adopted az Chicago Involving dishonor
and the attempt to repeal the eighth COM
mandment, Thou shalt not steal He Is
quoted as attacking German politically.
and large number of newspaper quota
tions from his speeches and utterances are
given.
Then followed counts or allegations con-
cerning Mr.. Davis personal and profess
sional character and his financial standing
The character Of Mr. Davis clientele Is
brought forward as third reason for re-
1ectfng his nomination IL being alleged that
he has acted attorney in many OF the
cases OF the Liquor Dealers Association.
Mr.. Norris also submitted the names CT
number of lawyers and business men,
asking that they be called to answer ques-
tions which Mr.. Norris suggested TO bring
out matters concerning Mr.. Davis profess
slonal standing and personal character
\ the t-S-ti'II' ~ tht- l. being given be-
fore the subcommittee Is being reported by
a stenographsr. and printed copy of the
same Will probably be placed in the hands
of all the members of the full committee ON
VIII be as fully informed of the facts ON
which the subcommittee bases its report as
Is the subcommittee itself