New-York tribune., 1900-07-07


a mighty rushing wind, and it filled all the place
and Missourians NEWCOMERS. Georgians, Kan
sans. Carolinians and Nebraskans, all lifted up
their voices even as the Parthians and Medes and
Elamites and dweers in Mesopotama and stran-
gers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes ana
Arabians spoke in their own tongues on the day
of Pentecost. Having tasted the joys Of salvation
himself II may be expected that Davis Will Apply
himself earnestly to carrying the glad goSpei OF
Brvanism to others. That is the first impulse OF
ransomed sinner Davis will perform mighty
work among such desire to be saved. and Will
take a with the anonted at the right hahd or
Bryan If the Democrats enter into the promised
land
MR. DAVIS'S CAREER.
In 1887 Webster Davis obscure and almost un-
known came to Kansas City to practise law ms
home had been in Galatin, Mo. where ne had
oa-,od q living as a shoemaker and office boy
IN the law firm of Shankn, Low & McDougaL He
had managed to spend some time at the LAKE
Forest University. Chicago, little uIne at 'le
Kansas City University and nearly year at the
University of Michigan. The young lawyer did not
lineer long in Kansas City but soon went TO
Colorado. where he hung out his shingie. In De-
cember 1889. he returned to Kansas CITY Up 10
1899 the people of Kansas City knew little about
Davis In that year the Republicans We're casting
around for a candidate for Congress. The name Of
Webster Davis mentioned. II was said or MIN
that he was a good talker, and he was recon-
mended by Judge H. c. McDougal and Major
candidate for Governor. Every one knew that the
Republican candidate for Congress would stand no
chance of election. Davis knew ii. But he did not
go into the campaign to be elected. He wished 70
become known the people of Kansas City, in
order that afterward he might have a claim for a
lucrative Job.
Arm and arm Davis and Warner stumped the
State and district together. They slept together.
and as Major Warner said afterward in singing
Daviss praise for Mayor: when you sleep with
a fellow night after night you get to know him
pretty we'll"
MAYOR OF KANSAS CITY.
Things were moving beautifully for Davis just
now. OF course he was defeated for Congress. He
quiet for two years In 1894 the Republicans
of Kansas City were casting about for a candidate
for Mayor Once more Major Warmers friendship
cana into play. He suggested Davis for the place,
and Davis nominated That was memorable
campaign. The Democracy had a party split which
resulted in two candidates being put in the field
Frank Cooper and Frank Johnson. Cooper was the
reform candidate, and Johnson the nominee Of at
least a part of the Democratic machine. The cam
paign grew bitter, and day the Democrats were
thrown ino a frenzy of delight, for they thought
they had discovered that Davis clearly in
eligible for the office of Mayor. They had
earthed the affidavit made by Davis in Pueblo, in
1889 swearing that he citizen Of the State
of Colorado AS a continuous residence of five
years in a city is necessary TO make eligible
for Mayor and Davis did not return to Kansas
City until December, 1889, he still lacked several
months, from April to December, to complete his
five years residence. The Democratic coup
suited in boomerang, for Davis was elected by
an enormous majority over both his opponents.
Soon after this election Davis began to develop
all the traits of a topper His first flop from
Warner who had been his loyal friend. He waited
| until the Major made tr1ing request, and
then sent him an insulting note that made IL too
| apparent that he wished 10 paddle his own canoe
that moment Davis, with the assistance Of the pat
| ronage of the City Hall, began building up a
abandon Warner
| up with Chauncey Ives Filey, the Warner factions
| Mr.. Filey as the greatest leader the State ever
knew, man who was not boss, but leader and
t In g5 While hi ID PAYS yet Mayor he ssp2ussd
was an av0wed candidate for the nomination for
Governor. The A: P. A, now arrogant and sup
Kansas City and invite all candidates speak and
declare themselves on the principles Of their asso-
Warner and and Mayer Wall56ridge Of St Louis Major
without reference to the A. 4 When Bayiss
turn came however, he arose and in his hand held
He took the decarat ton paragraph BY paragra3h
aPa bi ind9Tsed gn down O." to the last letter
one ones side @ the Republicans had nominated James NJ
A allied itself on the 'f RePubc5n nHm9f s9e S Tfs
Davis as leader 1t was the night before the cleo
Sampatgn st came i then that said 10
eainn shot noie through his hat with the idea of
p "a 4 had ada ATTEMPTED to assassinate him.
Governor came around in the autumn of 1896 Davis
| was out or office and wanted run for chief
convention was held at Springfield Davis was de-
liver the goods @ Th ey f %h SGqd Dns n9i ds
| Davis Hoped again He deserted the old man and
the A. +. A. Immediately. and Joined forces with
Kerens. Kerens was National Committeeman He
needed Davis and took him to his bosom Through
kketens ee Davis was introduced to the Republican
Arkansas, speaking for Mckinley.
HIS "TRIP To SOUTH AFRICA
| When the campaign over and Mckinley was
| elected Davis made Assistant Secretary of the
Interior Hardly had Davis assumed the duties Of HIS
| newotfce when the Kerens following began COM
planning that the Assistant Secretary was pulling
| wires to undermine Kerens and get his place as
| National Committeeman. KeTens at first refused
TO believe the report. but afterward convinced
by seeing correspondence from Davis influential
| country politicians. After the resignation Of score
| tary Bliss and the appointment Of Mr. HtchcocL
| II soon became open gossip in Washington that
| serious differences existed between Davis his
| chief. Then Davis said his health demanded that
| he take a vacation He went TO South Africa saw
| the Boer leaders, came home and resigned and
republics Mr.. Davis contends that his resignation
was entirely Of his own choosing. Several Interior
| about Davis the coming Missourian. He was
| spoken OF by of the smaller papers as a Vice
Presidential possibility, and still others began to
! urge him one Of the delegates-at-large 10 the
| National Convention. A speedy collapse bel tha
delegate-a-large agitation through the publication
OF an Associated Press dispatch quoting "a member
! OF the Cabinet as saying that the President was
| bitterly opposed to any Federal officeholders as
! delegates TO the National Convention. The Pres-
| dent wanted his nomination, the unknown Cab
| met member declared, to come direct from the
| people.
TALKED HIMSELF OUT OF JOB"
One OF the closest friends Mr.. Kerens said to-
! day:
! l know that the advocacy OF Mr. Davis as dele
! gate-at-large from Missouri was the immediate
! cause Of this interview being given to the public
! called at the White House The objection to Mr.