Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-12-03
STORIES ABOUT DAVIS
How Senator Davis Studied Inter.
national Law and the Re-
suit Of II.
Incident Of His Becoming Chairman
Of Senate Committee on For.
eign Relations
His Largest Fee $4,000 and How
the Client Kicked His
Advice.

Advice
Cushman K. Davis and sat talking
and smoking one night in the library OF
his home in this city. The great senator
was in a reminiscent mood. For once he
talked of himself and his career.
.,Did you ever hear, said he, how
came to be chairman OF the committee
on foreign relations? Well, it is an in
teresting story. Years ago. before
came to the senate, while was practi-s
cling law in st. Paul. 1 had a habit Of
pursuing some special study during the
evening. never took my business home
with me, and made it a rule nevr to
carry law book to my house, tho
had what was said to be the finest LAW
library in the northwest, consisting of
about 5000 volumes. 1 cared nothing
whatever about society, and SO I spent
my evenings In study. BY chance be-
came interested
IN INTERNATIONAL LAW.
did not know what prompted me 70
take 1t up, but having once made q:
start became profoundly Interested,
and delved as deeply as could. sent
for ali the leading books on that topic,
and when had exhausted those In the
English language 1 took UP those in
French and Italian. had not tire
slightest idea that this knowledge was
ever going to be of any practical value
to me, but pursued the study as a
matter OF love.
Well, in time came to the senate.
Naturally was assigned to place on
the foreign relations committee. a few
days later, when the republicans OBJ
tained control of the senate the question
arose as to who was to be chairman.
Senator Frye was the seniorf, and we
all supposed the rule was TO be followed
and he to take the Guardianship. but
Senator Frye paid me the finest compli-
ment ever had in my life.
FORCED Upon HIM.
:. No, Davis he said, am not go
ing to take the craftsmanship of tina.
great committee. There is some qucs-
ton as to whet Their or not am II for it.
But there is no question about you. You
are the man. / should be ashamed OF
myself to sit at the head of a commit
tee OF which you We're member, and
simply will not do it. You must take
the post!'
Frye was doing himself much less
and me more than justice, but he per-
sisted in his attitude and there was
nothing for me but to take the place
That is the way in which became
chairman of that committee, and that is
the way my seemingly ainless study
during those long winter evenings up a.
ST. Paul fitted me for what shall al
ways look back upon as the brightesl
part Of my career.
TALK TO YOUNG MEN.
THE trouble with most young men
continued Senator DAVIS. is that they
will not study after they leave college
They think they know all that is neces;
sary. Not long ago / was called upon Il
Z deliver lecture before graduating
class at a law school and this is what
ssYoung men, you are about to leave
this -e..ooi. OIL ais leaving ~
academy; you are about to enter TIL
university OF life. Your studies hav'
only begun. All you have learned UP t,
this time is how TO learn more Thos'
of you who are ever to amount to any
II
and broadening yourselves. You Will 81
up nights with your books. Every weel
will add to your knowledge OF law ]
must do more-it must add to you
knowledge of everything in this bus
world. A first class lawyer must know
good deal OF all things. You neve
know when a special bit Of knowleds
lie going to stand you in good stead. Th
first ten years OF your career as law
yers Will be hard grubbing for you
bread and butter and wondering why W
old fellows don't die off and give tn
young men a chance. But upon the is
you make Of these ten years depend
your future fate. IT you work an
delye and study and broaden you
minds and equip yourselves for bi
work you will succeed. Let me max
this warning as impressive as l can.
lave observed this to be about tn
usual average In actual practice: Dni
one mau cut of twenty studies afte
leaving college. Nineteen outsof twenl
fail TO attain succes.
Senator Davis laughingly told me i
the best fee he ever earned and til
queer way in which he earned Il an
made hip client pay 1t.
had q case" said the nenator. 81
which secured Judgment for $1,000
against a man, and he was good for i
There Gid not seem to be anything fo
him to do but TO pay. But il chance
that was released from the plaintiff
service and was brought in on the sid
Of the defendant. carried his case, nj
own cave as it were, TO the appelat
court. knocked $3.50, 900 of that judgner
which had been at 80 much trouble /
secure against him, and fixed 1t 80 tina
$3.50, 900 could never get into court agar
This Was pretty sharp work, and mai
urally my client was delighted. He cam
around to zee me with his face wreathe
In smiles.
Splendid, splendid! he exclaime,
and what " your fee? I'll give you
check for 1t right now
Fifty thousand dollars said L
Fifty th-what?' he exclaimed
nearly jumping from his chair
Fifty thousand dollars said I, AN
you may consider yourself lucky di
not make 1t hundred thousand
I'll never pay II; I'll never pay 1t
said my client. 'It's an outrageous bill
Fifty thousand dollars for three or TO,
months work, and heaven only know
how many other fees you have had
the same time, not saying anythir
about the $4,000 you got for getting ii