Evening journal., 1897-03-15
MRS. cusHMAN K. DAVIS.

political record In the governor chair ana
in other offices, with some literary repu-
tation from a book on the law. Back of
IL. too. was a social feud. the elimination
Of an effort by some Of the leaders Of soci-
ETY. in St Paul to ignore the handsome
Scotch girl who had become the wife of
the jurist and politician.
Her first triumph came in her husbands
election TO the senate Of the United States.
Echoes Of the social quarrels in Minnesota
reached Washington. They rumbled lit
tie when Senator Davis came on to take
his seat Mrs Davis was unconventional,
and the Mother Grundys profossed TO he
shocked. When they were called social
squaws" and their wailings treated with
contempt, their Indignation was toundless.
st. PauIs Social Problem.
st. Paul does not have matters Of Off
cial etiquette Of this kind TO divert its at
tention. In ten years its mind has not
ceased to work on the social problem Of
Mrs Davis and her enemies, foremost
among whom was said to be the wife of
W. r. Merriam. Like Davis, Mr.. Merriam
had been governor of the state. His ambi-
tion sought further honors. He saw the
drift in the northwest and became one Of
the Original Mckinley leaders in Mime
sofa After the election Merriam's S fr7Snds
urged him for secretary Of the treasury.
1t was reported that Mr.. Merriam had
engaged house in Washington, and much
was said about the social acquisition which
the Merriams would be to the administra-
ton. Then came period Of doubt Min
nesota was said to be divided into factions.
Senator Davis had supporters who wanted
him for secretary of state Major McKin-
ley, from the quiet of his Canton home,
.
fractional dissensions Minnesota would
lose the expected representation in the cab
met Mark Hanna s potent influence could
not secure a place for Merriam IN the fact
of the opposition. In all this turmoil there
was Just whisper of "social Sights and
women's quarrels.
Mr.. Merriam. 1 hear, has gone back to
Minnesota to muster his forces in the
struggle for the control Of tho state. He
may not have the direct Endorsement Of
the Mckinley administration, but he has
the friendship of Mark Hanna, and the
social intimacy between Mr. Hanna fam
ily and his own continues.
woman's War In Ohio.
The "Woman's Chapter" in Ohio is
short, but the end is not yet The wife Of
Senator Foraker is an accomplished wom-
an, who has shared her husband political
struggles enjoyed his triumphs, and does
not readily forgive her husbands S enemies
Bellamy Storer was a congressman from
one Of the Cincinnati districts. His WIFE
formerly Mrs. George Ward Nichols, be-
longs to the Longworth family Wealth
and culture were her natural inheritances.
Mr.. StOrer expected TO come back TO con-
gress without opposition The morning
his convention met he had all the dele
gates At noon he had none. George b,
Cox, the boss of Cincinnati politics, who
was Foraker's friend, nominated some one
else.
After the election Mr.. and Mrs. Bellainy
Storer were occasional visitors at Canton.
and were welcome guests of the president
elect 1t was understood Mr.. Storer would
have good foreign appointment, his
preference being for the French mission,
but this could not be granted because of
the superior claims of General Horace Por.
ter. While casting around for another
place the suggestion was made that Mr.
Storer should become assistant secretary
of state.
Senator Foraker entered an obieotion
that the Storers in Washington In oflicial
position would not be agreeable to him.
Mr.. Storer was willing to free the prcsi
dent from embarrassment, and was ready
to withdraw. Unexpectedly his law part
ner, Thomas McDougall of Cincinnati
made vigorous protest against yielding
to Foraker. He is said to have the sup
port of Mrs. Storer in his protest against
Mr.. Storer taking any position now other
than that Of assistant secretary Of state
The sympathy of Secretary Sherman's
family is also said to be with him. What
ever is done the Chic families in Official
life are likely to show some feeling.