The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-28

graph operator in what is now a suburb
Of Milwaukee. After his graduation he
entered the law office of Alex W. Ran
dali, afterwards war governor OF Wis
conSin- In 1860 Mr.. Davis began the
practice Of law and also took an active
part in the campaign resulting IN the
election of Lincoln Two years later,
war having come. he closed his law
Office to enlist in the volunteer army:
He served for two years in the Army OF
the Tennessee in KENTUCKY, tennessee,
Arkansas and Mississippi, part Of the
time on staff duty. When in 1854, broken
health compelled his retirement, he was
first lieutenant of company 3, Twenty
eighth Wisconsin volunteer infantry
Going to st. Paul he formed a law
partnership with his army chief, Gen
eral w A. German, ex-governor of
Minnesota territory. In 1868 he was
elected to the state legislature and two
years later was appointed United States
district attorney, serving five years IN
that position In 1873 by a majority OF
one vote he was nominated by the Re
publicanS for governor and elected by
a majority Of 5,496. The campaign IS
sue was then new, being whether the
state could control the charges of rail-
roads. Governor Davis asserted this
right and such legislation was enacted
and enforced during his term of office
During a protracted senatorial contest
at that session Governor Davis was one
of the candidates but Chief Justice Nc
MILAN was finally elected It was at
this time that the great grasshopper
sofa and Governor Davis raised over
800, 900 in money besides supplies for
the victims of the plague.
Governor Davis declined a renomina-
tion and resumed the practice of law
His successor, Governor Pillsbury, re-
tained him to argue in the United States
supreme court the case of the state of
Wisconsin against the city of Duluth
and the state of Minnesota to restrain
the opening Of the present Duluth ship
canal. through which all the commerce
of that port now passes Mr.. Davis won
the suit for Minnesota He continued
in the practice of law until 1887, also
giving considerable attention to politics.
In 1885 he headed the Blaine delegation
to Chicago where he made one of the
nominating speeches for that candi-
date.
During 1885 many of the state news
papers advocated his election as United
States senator, and when the legislature
of 1887 met Senator Mcmillan withdrew
as a candidate for reelection, and Mr.
Davis received every vote.
Senator Davis first Craftsmanship in
the senate was of the committee on pen
sions, which he held throughout his first
term. He was the author of the pen
sion law Of 1890, which terminated the
demands for excessive pension legisla--
ton and also satisfied the old soldiers.
AS a member of the committee on terri
tories Senator Davis led the fight for
the admission of the Da1otas to state
hood, making his first speech in the SEN
ate on that subject.
During the past four years Senator
Davis position as chairman of the for
eign relations committee of the senate
and later as one of the Paris peace COM
missioners have kept him prominently
before the public of all nations He
was reelected without opposition in
1899 for his third term
Senator Davis has been twice married.
His first wife was Miss Laura Bowman,
and after she had secured divorce
from him he married in 1880 Miss Anna
Malcolm Agnew.
Governor Lind, who is a Democrat,
will have the naming of a senator to fill
the vacancy caused by Senator Davis
death in the interval between now and
the time that the legislature elects. 1t
Is understood that the governor will not
name a. senator of his own political
faith. The time of his service would
be so short that it is believed there
would be nothing practically gained by
the move. 1t is stated that Governor
Lind will name former Senator w. D.
Washburn to fill the vacancy. Although
opposed politically, Governor Lind and
Senator Washburn have been long close
friends, and it is regarded as highly
probable that the ex-senator will be
named. Senator Knute Nelson, whose
term expires in March next, is a candi-
date for reelection, and had the in
dOrsement of the last Republican state
will therefore have the choosing of two
United States senators.
MCKINLEY NOTIFIED.
Washington. Nov. 2s.-The death of
Senator Davis, although expected, came
as a. shock to his colleagues in the SEN
ate who are gathering here preparatory
to the meeting of congress. The SEN
ator's genial manner had endeared him
to his colleagues and others. Many
genuine expressions of regret were
heard when his death became known
President Mckinley was informed of the
senator's death and sent a telegram of
coincidence to the widow. The sergeant
alarms of the senate, after the an
sent notifications to the following SEN
ators, requiring them to represent the
senate at the funeral: Nelson, CullOm,
Lodge. Foraker, Wolcott, Morgan, Dan
iel, Clark, (Wyo). and Pettigrew-
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