Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-13
able to recall from the pen of the ex-

able to recall from the pen Of the ex-
president.
He was not an orator in the COM
mon acceptation of that term, yet to
those who ever fell within the range
of his vocal powers he possessed g
fascinating style rarely equaled.
can never forget the first time l ever
heard him address the senate. 1t was
shortly after the Pullman riots in the
summer Of 1894. President Cleveland
had ordered United States troops to
the scene for the protection Of the
mails. Davis had been appealed to by
certain of his constituents, who fool
ishly thought some political advantage
could be gained thereby, to protest
against the presidents action and to
denounce him on the floor Of the SEN
ate. But in manly letter, worthy Of
all praise, he refused with hot indigna-
ton to aid Or abet the rioters by any
word OF sympathy, and when the op-
pOrtunity offered, he arose in the SEN
ate to personal explanation which
was almost wholly devoted to de-
fence of the president, commencing
his courage and patriotism, and de-
nouncing the laWlessness Of the Pull
man rioters. Throughout his great
civic career he not infrequently grew
FESTIVE under party restraints. The
tricks of the time-seTver and dema-
gogue were objects of his special de-
Ac Oh
dent character of the man, his recent
opposition to the Porto Rican tariff
legislation and the Hay-Pauncefote
! treaty is in point. However much one
may differ from his views upon these
measures, his independence and cOur-
age must evoke the highest praise.
AS the years go by and his career
is viewed under the calm light of his
tory, Senator Davis will surely stand
the most crucial test for eminence in
the public service, and his life, with
it's trials and its triumphs, will serve
as an inspiration to American youth
for all time.
Nation Like the Brook.
Men die but the nation lives. AL
ready the successor to the chairman
ship made vacant by death is the sub
| ject of immediate concern. The first
in line Of promotion upon the great
committee is Senator Frye, who is at
| present president pro tempore of the
| senate and besides is chairman of the
committee on interstate commerce,
the duties of which are congenial and
along lines with which he is familiar
Besides, Mr.. Cullom is involved in a
bitter and acrimonious fight for re-
| election which is likely to compel his
absence from the senate during most
| of the present session. For these rea-
sons he is regarded ineligible for the
! position.
Following Cullom on the committee
of foreign relations comes Lodge who
possesses many qualifications for the
place and is credited with an ambition
| in that direction, natural pride to fill
the chair once honored by his distin-
guished predecessor, Mr.. Sumner.
! Lodge is a litterateur, and is eminent
as a writer, but lays slight claim to
legal training. This is the only Sc
| rious objection raised against him, and
this will probably be waived in his be-
half. However, there has been a
great deal of talk, prior to Senator
| Spooner's return, of throwing senator
| ial courtesy and precedent to the
winds and of offering the vacant chair
manship to the Wisconsin senator. 1t
is now said that Mr.. Spooner does not
encourage the movement. Of course
such procedure is wholly unprece-
denied. The Craftsmanship of this
great committee has never been filled
except by the promotion of some mem
| Der of the committee. The earnest
ness and enthusiasm with which Sena-
tor Spooner's name has been men
| toned for this high honor, in view of
! it's unprecedented character, is on that
account all the more complimentary
to the badger senator. Whatever the
outcome may be, it is gratifying to the
senator's Wisconsin admirers to OBJ
serve that his qualifications for the
| distinguished honor are universally
recognized. "A c. Parkinson.