The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-11-30
LOSS 70 THE NATION.


LOSS 70 THE NATION.
Although in a measure prepared for
it, vet the death Of Senator Davis of
Minnesota to the nation as a
shock from which it will not soon re-
cover. Aside from the loss which his
family and state sustained, the death
of Senator Davis at this time is a di-
rect loss to the nation. He was one
Of the few present senators who almost
attained that prominence and jnfu-
ence that entities them to the distinc-
ton of being designated as great. His
intimate knowledge of public affairs
and matters of national legislation,
particularly those pertaining to u
foreign relations, was so great and
comprehensive that to find n CON-
petent to take his place will be ex-
tremely difficult. AS chairman Of the
senate committee on foreign relations
he on many SO occasions gave evidence
of the complete knowledge he pos
sessed of all questions and subjects
within the scope of that body that he
became a recognized authority whom
his fellow committeeman and senators
consulted without hesitation, knowing
that he could always give the required
information.
His death at this time is all the
more re%gretable in view OF the fact
that speedy legislation on the isthmian
canal may be expected. He, above
all others, was conversant with every
detail pertaining to the subject. To
this question he had given much
thought and study and to his great
knowledge of the i%ntricacies OF laws
and treaty that are. involved in its
consideration many senators looked
. for guidance and counsel in the gov
eminent Of their OWL actions in the
matter. He had prepared an amend
ment to the Hay-Pauncefote treaty,
now in the hands of the committee OF
which he was the chairman, that
, greatly alters the original. He was
opposed to the treaty as submitted tC
! the senate, being Il of those thai
believed this nation should fortify and
control the canal at all times, instead
of constructind and maintaining it al
a neutral water way to be used by any
= and all powers at all times, even whe1
n the use of it by any foreign power
might be with hostile intent to thiI
government. In this position he hat
a large following, both in and out O
the senate, and the champions o
American control of the canal looked
l. to him as their leader. By his dealt
g they have lost one of their ables
a workers, for his influence was Of tn
j. greatest, an influence based upon hi
d thorough knowledge and sound judg
10 ment, both of which were concede
II by every member of the senate
whether friendly or opposed to hi
n views.
is As a statesman and soldier Senate
a. Davis had an enviable record. and as
re lawyer he was of admitted ability
a Once he served his state as governc
,e and twice was he elected to the Unite
es States senate, he being in his secon
I'd term when he died. His first chat,
Sc manship in the senate was Of the CON
er mittee on pensions, which he hel
T. throughout his first term. One of tt
acts on the federal statutes whic
IL owes its authorship to him is tn
H. pension act of 1890, al act that te:
n minated the demands for excessl1
en pension legislation and also Statistic
ed the old soldiers. In the fight mao
en- for the admission of the territorit
n which resulted in statehood bein
We granted to Montana, the Dakotas an
IN the other northwestern territories al
Id mitted at the same time, he too
at prominent place in the ranks of tt
admissionists. He furnished briefs
on President Harrison and Secreta1