The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-04
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.


Davis Makes Them Think.-That
the resignation Of Assistant Secretary OF
the Interior Davis has brought fresh
trouble to the Administration is shown by
two circumstances. One is that the Presi-
dent hesitates about accepting it. The
other is that it is of sufficient Importance
to form topic Of discussion at yesterday
meeting Of the Cabinet II Mr.. Davis had
not explicitly assigned as the sole reason
OF his resignation the fact that ne Is IN
hearty sympathy with the Beers ms
action would cause no concern TO the
Administration. But The human MIND
unconsciously acts so logically that
there is only one conclusion to be
drawn from Mr.. Davis statement,
which is that the Administration Is
not in sympathy with the struggling Beers.
Ergo. the Administration is in sympathy
with Great Britain. II is not believed
Mr.. Mckinley would care to go before the
country on a platform containing a plank
expressing sympathy with the British
And yet unless something is done to onset
the effect of the Davis movement that sort
of plank will be inserted in the Phliadel-
phia platform by the public judgment
whatever may be the expression OF the
convention on the subject. The question
then. naturally arises as to how the erect
of Mr.. Davis conduct is to be overcome
Heretofore the Missourian's loyalty to Re
publican principles has never been ques-
toned. He has fought the battles Of the
party in the strongest Democratic com
munity in the country when such eminent
statesmen as the Hon Ethan Allen Hitch
cock was too busy forming the Glass Trust
to give any attention to politics. There
fore it is not likely that Mr.. Hitchcock,
his official superior, could break DAVIS
down politically Is he should try There
is not a breath Of suspicion against Mr..
Davis official conduct. Hence the sleuths
of the Administration cannot attack him
on that score. As a private citizen his
record is clean and above reproach. What.
then can be done to Offset the damaging
political effect of Webster Davis apos-
tacy? Something. Of course. is looked for
from Administration quarters against Mr..
Davis. He is certain to do harm to the
Mckinley Hanna crowd by his speeches on
the Boer question because he cannot help
creating the mpression-howeyer false il
may be-that one word from this mighty
Republic would stay the hand of Great
Britain before the little Republics IN
South Africa are wholly wiped out. The
fact that group Of well-known Irishmen
came forward when Il was learned that
Mr.. DAVIS was willing TO make ms lnltial
speech in Washington and put up the
money for the rent of the hall shows what
that element Of citizens are willing to do
to help along the movement against the
Administration. 1t is not believed that
Davis can be coaxed back into office Of any
kind under the Administration In no
circumstances can he be induced to re
sumo his former position in the Interior
Department and If he should accept some
other place at the hands Of the President
he would ruin himself for all time. II is
evident therefore that Mr.. Davis has
burnt the bridges behind him and cannot
turn back And having got well started
on his journey away from the Administra-
ton it Is predicted by people who under
stand his temperament and natural sym
pathes that before the Presidential cam
paign is over Webster Davis will be max
ing speeches for William Jennings Bryan.