The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-11-28
CAREER OF SENATOR DAVIS.
Rises From Telegraph Operator to
Statesman.

Cushman KcuoEE Davis was born in
Henderson, jefferson county. New York,
June 10, 1865 In that year his parents
moved 10 Waukesha Wis where his
father faTmed until 1850. After attending
the common schools young Davis spent
three years in Carroll college at Wan
kesha preparing himself for the J-nfver-
SHY OF AllcnlEan, from which he gradu-
ateu In 1895. During his bOyhOOd he held
Tor some time position as telegraph
operator IN what Is now suburb OF Mil
Waukee- After his graduation he entered
the law office Of Alex. W. Randall, af-
forwards war gOs-Crn0r OF Wisconsin.
in 1860 Mr.. Davis began the practice of
la~ and also took an active part in the
campaign resulting IN the election of Lin
coin. Two years later he closed his law
office TO enlist III the volunteer army. He
served for TWO years ia the army of the
Tennessee in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ar
kansas ana Mississippi, part Of the time
health compelled his retirement he was
first lieutenant of company 3, Twenty
eighth Wisconsin volunteer infantry
Elected to First Office.
Goin= to St. Paul he formed a law
partnershlp with his army chief, General
sofa territory In 1868 ne was elected to
the state legislature an two years later
was appointed United States district al
toruey, serving hye years in that posi-
In 1873 by a majority of / vote he was
dominated Py me RePuoh.eans Tor gov
The campaign issue was then new, being
whether the state could control the
charges or railroads. Governor Davis
asserted this right IND such legislation
was enacted and enforced during his term
OF OthCc. During a protracted senatorial
contest 1t that session Governor Davis
was one of the candidates, bur Chief
Justice Mcmillan was finally elected.
IL WAS at this time that the great
grassh0ppcr plague devastated southwest
ern minnesota, ana Governor Davis rais-
ed over 100000 in money, besides sup
plies, for the victims of the plague.
Governor Davis declined a reHOmina-
tfOu and resumed the practice of law
His successor. Governor PillSbuTE. re-
tanned him TO argue in the United States
su2Teme court the case OF the state Of
At 4~tou-In against the city of Duluth and
the state OF Minnesota to restrain the
opening of the present Duluth ship ca
pal. through which all the commerce Of
shaL port now passes. Mr. Davis won the
5uit for Minnesota lie continued in the
practice Of law until lAHi- also giving con
aiGerable attention 20 politics. In 1854
Ae headed the Blaine delegation to Chi
cago. where he mace one or the nominal
Ing speeches for thaf candidate.
Unanimously Elected to Senate.
During 1885 many Of the state news
uaBerS advocated his election as ntted
states senator, and when the legislature
of 1857 met Senator Mcmillan withdrew as
a candidate for reelection, and Mr.. Davis
received every vote,
senator Davis first Craftsmanship i'm the
senate was of the committee on pensions,
He was author OF the pension law of 1890
which terminated the demands Tor eN-
cesSive pension legislation. ana also sat
iSfied the old soldiers As "A member of
tbe committee on territories. Senator
Davis led the fight for me admission OF
the Te4kotaS to statehood. making his
FIRST sDeach in the senate on that subject.
As a student and an authority on in
tPruatf0nal law. Senator DAVIS f&EniShed
briefs 10 President Harrison and Secre-
farv of state Bfaiue on the Chilean dis
uufe and the Beriug sea controversy
fIis adX-ocac7- of the new locks at the
S.Iuft Ste Marie shin canal carried to "a
successful result legislation. the wisdom
of which has since been amply demon
strated-
Gets In By Narrow Vote.
In 1888 The Republican legislative eau
Gus voted ia favor of the reelection OF