Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-12-05

and so far as could be known, suffering
no pain. The last conscious utterance of
the Senator was the expression Of
wish to live, not for the sake Of life
itself, but because he believed his coun-
try needed him.
While it had been certain for more than
week that death was only matter OF
days or hours, still the announcement
caused painful shock to the friends and
admirers Of the statesman. To none was
the stern realization more painful than
the Senator's devoted wife. who had hop
ed against hope through all his illness.
The Senator, in his moments of lucid
ity, expressed a strong determination to
recover, and within a week told United
States District Attorney Evans, who had
been admitted to see him, that he was
positive he would soon be well. In his
delirium he raved of his congressional
work. He would declare in vigorous
phrases fragments Of the nations foreign
policy. There vas of course no coher-
ence-a sentence about the Philippines
would be followed by a comment upon
the Monroe doctrine, or q suggestion of
an impending war with Spain. But al
ways, in his diseased mind, his patriotic
and official duties were with him.
Brief story OF His Life.
Cnshman Kellogg Davis was born at
Henderson, Jefferson County, n. V,
June Is, 1888. When he was a child his
parents moved to Waukesha, Wis, where
he lived until 1865. In June, 1857, he
graduated from Ann Arbol University,
and year later commenced the practice
of law in Waukesha. When the Civil
War broke out he enlisted as a second
lieutenant and served until 1864, when he
retired owing to illness.
He moved in 1865 to st. Paul, where
as lawyer he gained such notice that in
1867 he was elected to the Minnesota
Legislature. He was appointed United
States district attorney in 1865. ind serv-
ed FIVE years. In 1874 he was elected
Governor of Minnesota on the Republi-
can ticket.
He refused a second term, owing to his
ambition to become United States Sena-
tor. He was beaten for that honor in
1875, and again in 1881. On Jan. Is,
1887, however, his ambition was realized,
he being elected to fill the unexpired term
of Senator J. s. r. Mcmillan. He was
reelected and had been one of the great
men of the United States ever since.
Senator Davis was one If the earliest
advocates for the annexation of the Ha-
waiian Islands, and it vas under his
leadership that the annexation was con-
sHmmated. When President Mckinley
submitted his report on the destruction
of the Maine Senator Davis, as chairman
of the foreign relations committee, pre-
pared and submitted the resolutions
which We're practically, if not formally,
a declaration of war against Spain.
Next to ex-Secretary of State Day,
Senator Davis was the most important
member Of the Paris Peace Commission.
Death Leaves Vacancy.
President Mckinley was shocked to
hear of the end, although it had been
hourly expected
The death of Senator Davis leaves the
craftsmanship of the committee on foreign
relations vacant and there win be much
interest developed in the selection of a
successor. A general Encouragement of
committee assignments may result. The
direction of the foreign relations commit
tee is of the greatest Importance to the
administration at this time, owing to the
pending Hay-PauncefOte treaty and the
various complications in the international
field
The ranking member of the foreign re-
lations committee is Senator Frye of
Maine, but as Senator Frye is president
pro TEN. Of the Senate and chairman of
the commerce committee, it is not regard
ed that his selection as chairman Of for
eign relations is within the range of prob
abilities