The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-01
TRIBUTE 70 SENATOR DAVIS.
CORRESPONDENCE ESTIMATE OF
LATE MINNESOTA STATESMAN.
He Was . Scholar, Student and n
workcr-Hfs Habits Were simple,
and He Met All Men ON Equal
Grounds-Was a Man Of Principle.

Special Dispatch TO the Psst-Tnteiligencer.
WASHINGTON, Nov. So.--The est mate
of Senator Davis as a man and states
man has been written by David s. Barry.
Washington correspondent OF the New
York Sun. who for many years was a
close acquaintance and friend Of the
dead senator:
Senator Davis was a scholar, student
and a worker. He was moreover, man
Of such bright mind and genial tempera-
ment that he was popular with everybody
who knew him and much-sought COM
panion in social circles. He cared abso-
lutely nothing for a mans rank or sta
tion In life, but was always as accessible
and as cordial 10 a humble newspaper
reporter as TO a foreign ambassador In
deed, Mr. Davis was especially consider
ate OF newspaper writer's, and was never
too busy to discuss with them any sub
Ject upon which II was proper for him
tn talk, and he seemed TO take a warm
interest In their work II was his de-
light, apparently. when the reporters
called upon him, they did constantly,
seeking Information upon this or that
phase Of some question OF international
or political interest, to get down the au-
thoritics and go over the matter with
his visitor. telling him all he knew about
It himself and referring him 10 the books
for more. In his Washington residence
Senator Davis had a den In the rear up
stairs. and here he could always be found
In the evening, when not attending din
ner or other official function. in his shirt
sleeves generally. smoking a black cigar
and reading and chatting with some per-
sonal friend. Mr.. Davis mad horror
Of so-calIed society" and accepted only
such Invitations TO large affairs as he felt
compelled to- out of regard for the re-
ouircments OF his official position or the
desires of his wife.
Vs.
In a pleasant and weli-located home on
Massachusetts avenue. 1t was quite
large enough TO suit the senator, as there
are no children in the family, but last
year they moved to a more pretentious
house. one of the celebrated Boss
Shepard row on X street. and had boen
this fall preparing TO move into a still
more commodfous and fashionable house
on street. near Seventeenth. A very
small house was ample for the senator,
because. while he loved good company.
being a raconteur as well as a student
and scholar he preferred his friends, n
few MT time. and In his library or den,
rather than In the crush of large re-
caption or the formalities of a dinner
party. Often when enjoying himself with
his books. his friends and his cigars at
night, he would be repeatedly sent for to
Join thu groups In the pRrior. Eyes,
yes he would say. good naturediy but
impattently to the servant, Just say
Ill be down in q minute But he
wouldn't. and after the summons had
been brought several times the general
callers would give him up In despair.
Nj. Davis ~ worker.
Mr.. Davis WAS worker OF the type
represented In tho senate by Morgan
and Hoar. and In the house by the late
Nelson pingley. OF Maine But, unlike
the latter. he loved both good Joke
and glass OF good wine Early to bed
ana early to rise was Mr.. Davis motto,
too. but whether II made him healthy is
an open question. Certainly he was
wealthy. and. his friends say. he never
cared to be. He had big law practice
IN Minnesota before he came to the sem
ate In 1887. He was in politics either
~ = member of the Legislature United
States district attorney or governor much
Of the time after he came out or the
army In 1854 He WINS q native OF New
York state, having been born in Hender-
son. Jefferson county. In 1888. and gradu-
ated from the Michigan university In
1887 He looked like : lazy man, Just as
Tom Reed does. but. like the latter. no
was always found TO be prepared when
called upon to take part m any contro-
versy.
His mental processes wsrc At times
slow. and he did not always act as
promptly ~ his friends thought he should.
He lacked self-assertion. they said, and
yet there were sharp nails beneath the
velvet OF his paws. AZ the time OF the
controversy with Great Britain over the
Venezuelan boundary question which
threatened 10 end In war, Mr.. Davis re-
ported from the foreign relations COM
mfttee resolution reaffirmIng In en-
phatic language the principles OF the
Monroe doctrine as applied to the bound
airy question. and promised day after day
70 carry out the instructions Of the COM
mittee and to bring It 10 . vote In spite OF
the desire OF the opposition senators TO
discuss H. The debate went on ana on
however, and Mr., Davis sat complaeentiy
In his chair, until finally the subject was
dropped from lack of interest. and the
resolution died with the session
Took . Hold stand.
u was not SO In lsas however, when the
country was shocked ana frightened hy
the lawiess ana ili-conceaied threats OF
the representatives OF organized labor In
certain Western states senator Davis
was urged by constituent TO advocate
the cause OF the rioters IN congress. but,
WhNlesaln Neat Cnnn1lne