The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-12-01

Not only the people Of the state, but
OF the nation as we'll, were painfully
grieved to hear of the untimely death
of Minnesota's foremost citizen, Sena->
tor c. X Davis. at his home in st.
Paul on Tuesday evening last.
Cushman Kellogg Davis was born i'll
Henderson, Jefferson county, New
York, June 16, 1888. In that year his
parents moved to Waukesha, WIS.,
where his father farmed until 1850.
After attending the common schools
young Davis spent three years III Car
1oll college at Waukesha,, preparing
himself for the University of Michigan.
from which he graduated in 1857. Dur
ing his boyhood he held for some time
a position as telegraph operator IN
what is now suburb of Milwaukee.
After his graduation he entered the
law office of Alex w. Randall, after
wards war governor Of Wisconsin.
In 1880 Mr.. Davis began the practice
Ct law and also took an active part
in the campaign resulting in the cleo
ton 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 Ten
ressee, in Kentucky, Tennessee. Ark
ansas and Mississippi, part of the time
on staff duty. When in 1864 broken
health compelled his retir ement, he
was first lieutenant Of company b,
Twenty eighth Wisconsin volunteer lii
falItrv.
Going to St. Paul he formed a Jaw
partnership with his army chief, Can
eral W. A. German, ex-governor of
Mime scta territory. In 1883 ne was
elected TO the state Legislature and two
years later was appointed United
States district attorney, serving five
years in that position.
In 1879 by majority OF one vote he
was terminated blythe Republicans frr
governor and elected ny I r.aiority
Of C:,496. Tie campaign issue was then
new, beinS whether the state ould con-
trc! the charges of the railroads. Cor
emo: Davis asserted this right and
such legislation was enacted ana en-
forced during his term of Office. Dur
ills, :: protracted senatorial contest al
this Session Governor Davis was one
Of the candidates, but Chief Justice Nc.
MILAN was finally elected. It was III
this time that the great grasshoppel
plague devastated southwestern Min
nesota and Governor Davis raised Over
100000 in money, besides supplies, fol
the victims of the plague.
Governor Davis declined a renomina.
ton and resumed the practice Of law
His successor, Governor Pillsbury, re-
tanned him to argue in the United
States supreme court the case of thu
state of Wisconsin against the city c.
Duluth and the state of Minnesota tt
restrain the opening of the present Du
iuth ship canal through which all tn,
commerce Of that port now passes. Mr.
Davis Won the suit for Minnesota. H,
continued in the practice Of law unit
1887, also giving considerable attention
to politics. In 1885 he headed the Blain,
delegation to Chicago where he mad,
one of the nominating speeches for tina
candidate.
During 1856 many of the newspaper
advocated his election as United State
senator, and when the legislature o
1887 met Senator Mcmillan withdrew a
n candidate for reelection, and MI
Davis received every vote.
Senator Davis first craftsmanship i
the senate was that of the committe
en- pensions, which he held Throughout
his first term. He was the author Q
the pension law of 1890, which termin
ated the demands for excessive pensio
legislation and also satisfied the oil
soldiers. AS a member of the commit
tee on territories Senator Davis led tn
fight for the admission of the Dakota
to statehood, making his first speech
the senate on that subject.
AS student and an authority on ir
ternational law Senator Davis furnish