The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-23
STILL AN OFFICIAL.
Webster Davis, In the TransvaaL Is
Yet Assistant Secretary.


New York, Jan. ga special to the
Tribune from Washington says: Trust
worthy information here does not sus-
tain recent stories in regard to the
prospective retirement from the inte-
rior department of the assistant secre-
tary, Webster Davis, now in South At
RIGA. These stories have endeavored to
make it appear that Mr.. Davis trip to
che Cape is the forerunner of his retire
ment to private life. 1t has been as
serted that President Mckinley was
dissatisfied with his administration of
his Office as assistant secretary, partic-
ularly his ruling with relatio nto pen
sion claims.
These statements need no denial to
those who are familiar with the rela-
lions between the assistant secretary
and the president. Mr. Davis, after
Major McKinley's election, announced
his candidacy for the place of United
States attorney for the western district
of Missouri, and shortly after the in
presented his papers. The following
Saturday he met the president at one
of the public receptions To the sur
prise of the young Missourian, Mr.. Nc
KinIey invited him to step behind the
line of the receiving party. When the
reception was over he accompanied
the president to his private office, and
to his utter amaZement was informed
by Mr.. Mckinley that the latter had
already seen his application for United
States attorney for the western district
of Missouri, but that he would rather
have Mr.. Davis accept another office.
The president said that he had not
then decided what place he could offer
Within a week the president informed
him that he had decided to give him
the assistant secretaryShip of the inte-
rior. Mr.. Davis accepted the office, and
his appointment followed a few days
later. From that day the relations be-
tween the young Missourlan and the
chief executive have been the most cor
dial.
Although the youngest man who has
ever filed the place of assistant Secre-
tary Mr.. Davis has accomplished more
in that office than any of his predeces-
sors and at the same time has taken an
active part in many political cam
paigns.
tween the commissioner of pensions and
the assistant secretary or the interior
by reason of the fact that many of the
decisions of the pension office were re-
versed by the assistant secretary. The
commissioner of pensions frequently
appealed the cases decided by the as
sistant secretary to the secretary of the
interior. In each of these cases the
decision of the assistant secretary was
AeeSS
that many OF. the cases were referred to
the attorney general of the United
States for a judicial opinion, and many
more to the assistant attorney general
for the interior department. The rec
ords of the interior department show
that in not a single case has a decision
of Mr. Davis been reversed, but, on the
contrary, they have all been sustained
by the secretary
After the retirement last March of
Cornelius N. Bliss as secretary of the
interior it was currently reported that
there was friction between Mr.. Davis
and Secretary Hitchcock. But there has
certainly been no friction between the
two in the last six months. On the
contrary, the utmost harmony has pre-
vailed. Last fall Mr.. Davis was invited
and took a. prominent part in the politi-
cal campaign in Ohio. AS a result he
returned to Washington in impaired
health and at the suggestion of his ply
sician decided to take a long sea Voy-
age. The war in South Africa had be-
gun and Mr.. Davis concluded to visit
that country.
He called on Secretary Hitchcock and
asked for an indefinite leave of absence,
explaining his reasons therefor, which
was promptly granted. If Mr.. Davis
has any intention of retiring, it is not
known TO his friends here