New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-28
SENATOR DAVIS IN WASHINGTON.

SENATOR DAVIS IN WASHINGTON
Washington, Nov q (specaD.-The many friends
OF Senator Davis in this city had been gravely
concerned for several weeks over his condition
and awaited with deep interest the result OF his
sickness. 1t like this reserved and self-con-
tanned man TO make light OF the injury to his foot
which proved so serious and painful. and he was
said to endure his suffering with characteristic
caImness and philosophy The senior Senator from
Minnesota never made bid for popular favor.
ana yet he was one OF the most popular and highly
esteemed members Of the upper house 8 he
one OF the best equipped for debate one Of the
most erudite. knowledge had been his passion
since the days when he a pupil the little
log schoolhouse in Wisconsin. whittier his parents
took him from New-York where he was born
sixty odd years ago.
Young Davis hardly out OF pinafores be-
fore he began porting over books. and he continued
to pore over them as long he lived with a pas
sion that only book lover can understand. His
library in Minnesota is the largest in the State.
a catholic library covering a wide range, and IN
his temporary abodes in Washington he
cUmuated stacks of books about him. Books were
his sole delight He had for them the same en-
thusiasm other expend upon horses yacht
ra1tng and the like. Nothing gave him greater
dTyasdust law books well fiction OF all coun-
treat Of the common people and helped him 70
t bj ~ them. When he was IN PaIis ne
bled and At home he had way of getting az the
secrets Of the common people. He understood
their point Of view and he had their interests al
ways ar heart.
The public success OF this interesting man be
gan in 1910 with his lecture entitled Modern
Feudalisr,' wherein he attacked the railroad
companies for their abuses. This question was
d popular one in his part OF the country, and his
admirable way OF handling II actually for him
the Governorship OF Minnesota. But his am
billions We're for legal rather than a political
career and at the close OF his term he refused 4
denomination. He could not refuse however the
unanimous vote Of his party seat IN the United
States Senate, where he had served his state con
tiruOusly since 1887, Senator Davis was as popular
in those Western States recently admitted to the
Union, whose rights he championed on the floor OF
the Senate. he IN his State and his
work in preventing the pork monopoly and his
speeches the time OF the Chicago riots won for
him the enduring affection OF the people OF Illinois
In the Senate he power None OF his coll
leagues were reader in debate. He prepared
20 discuss any subject. through his superfuous
work as he called 1.-THE immense amount Of gem
much knowledge Of a subject" he SAID I be
Ieve in superfuous knowledge. It IS knowledge
that differentiates Us. The men who have achieved
success are the who have worked. read.
thought more than was absolutely necessary. who
have not been content with knowledge sufficient
for the present need. but who have sought ad-
dtfonaI knowledge and stored Il away for the
emergency reserve. It is sUperduoUs labor that
equips a man for everything that counts most IN
life