Evening star., 1897-02-19
MR. DAVIS NOMINATION
Friends Say the Charges Against Him Will
Help Him.
Satisfied That There Is Nothing I'm
Tbcm-Mr. FcndaII Indignant ut
the Use of His Name


committee of the Senate committee on the
Judiciary which has been investigating
charges in relation TO the nomination of
Henry Z. Davis to be United States attor-
ney fer the District of Columbia That
committee has been looking into matters
in connection with Mr.. Davis case. but
yesterday afternoon Senator Hill went to
New York and will not be in this city
again until tomorrow. when the committee
ay hold al other meeting
Friends of Mr.. Davis express themselves
today as confident that the charges sub
mtted by Mr.. Norris before the subcon,-
mittee' would do no injury tc Mr.. Davis,
but would. on the contrary make friends
Tor him They claim that the charges went
so far beyond what is usual i'm such eases
ana Indicated SO much bitterness that the
eHect Will be to excite sympathy for Mr.
Davis.
Mr. Davis was himself much ayerse TO
talking about the charges Speaking to a
star reporter today. he expressed himself
as conhdent as ever of confirmation by tha
senate He said he preferred making no
puDhc statement in regard to the charges
referred to. He would he said make a
.eihpitte statement before the subconmt-
zee. he had, he declared no fear of any
inquiry into mis- conduct on any occasion,
or any of his relations personal or pro
fesSional. " Pr
LAWS mas 10 some of his friends in
whom ne mas confidence, as well As 10
members of the Senate judiciary compit,ao
gwen what his friends consider a fuIl ex
planation of the transaction en- which tho
eiarse aHectins Mr.. Davis personal and
proie sslonal reputation is based Thes.
friends express perfect satisfaction fh,.
Mr. Davis was not at all Responsible far
the matter which through curious com
niha'ioh Oh circumstances appeared on its
lace TO reflect upon him.
several OF those who were mentioned by
MI MOTIFS as persons from whom the sub-
committee might elicit Information in re-
eard TO alleged misconduct of Mr. Davis.
have been summoned before tne commit
tee District Attorney Birney and Nr
Hugh T. Taggart, who WAS The first as
slstant to the district attorney are amonp
those named by Mr.. Norris Mr. Ri-ncy
ard Mr.. Taggart today declined to disc,. IS
tne matter with a Star reporter as they
nad been summoned before the subcomnit-
tee. MIR. BirnCy offered the resolution he
fore the Bar Associa ton meeting irdors-
ing the nomination of Mr. Davis so il is
naturally assumed by Mr.. Davis friends,
that Mr.. Blrney could not have in his DOS
session any knowledge ina. reflected Sc
riously upon Mr. Davis character, else he
would not have become Sponsor for the
resolution before the Bar Association
1t is understood that the matter referred
to in Mr.. Norris charges was brought TO
the attention of both Mr.. Birney and Mr.
iasgart before the meeting of the Ear
Association. and thoroughly investigated
by them, with the result that Mr. fsirney
not only attended the meeting of the Bar
Association. but offered the resolution :n-
dorsing Mir. Davis nomination.
Mr.. Fendalrx IntlOrsement.
Mr.. Reginald Fendall also was one of
those named by Mr.. Norris as a witness
who might possibly give TO the subcommit-
tee some light on transactions by Mr.. Davis
alleged by Mr.. Norris to be questionable
Mr.. Fendall expressed much indignation to-
day that his name should be SO used
He wrote this morning to Senator Hill.
expressing his surprise that his name ap-
peared among those mentioned by Mr. Nor
riS, and added:
Il have been acquainted with Mr.. Davis
lcr a long time and Intimately both pro-
REASONABLY and personally. and know of
nothing that will reflect in the slightest
degree upon his personal character or de-
tract from his exceptionally high standing
al the bar. The use of my name i'm this
matter Is gross injustice to both Mr.. Da-
Wis and myself
IN speaking of The charges against Mr.
Davis Register of Willis j. Nota McGiu
san to Star reporter: 1T will be a very
Iiilcuit matter TO make the people of the
district believe that anything in the life of
Henry r. Davis disqualifies him for the
office of United States attorney: and that
he Is in every way fitted to make a most
successful scouting officer even his enc
mics cannot deny
1t was stated today as illUstrs fins, tho
effect of the assault upon Mr. Davis per
sonal character that two silver senator's
Who have heretofore been reckoned among
MS opponents assured him that they would
from TINS time forth give him their support
since the fight had been transferred from
political to personal grounds