The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-07
DAVIS MILLIONS
NOT FOR PARTY
Democrats Experience a Damper
Like That when English
Was on Ticket.
BY w. w. Jermane.

New York, Oct. The failure of the
party leaders to induce Henry Gassaway
Davis to stiffen up the democratic cam
paign by contribution of a million or
more, has it's counterpart in the presi-
Dental campaign Of 1880. In that year,
William II. English of Indiana was the
democratic nominee for the vice presi
dency, and to judge by the stories which
are told about his excessive "near-
ness,' he was the 'Uncleo Henry Gas
Baway Davis Of his day.
Mr.. English, who as young man had
been very active in politics-he had
served for eight years in congress, after
having held numerous positions of pub
lie trust in his state, and had retired in
1860, at the age of 3S-was in 1880, at
the age of IS, trotted out to be the tail
of the Hancock ticket. AS with Mr.
= the result of the knowledge that he was
very wealthy, and the belief that he
would freely contribute of that wealth
in an effort to secure democratic vic
tory.
Failed to Give Up. =
AS the weeks passed by, however,
earlier estimates as to Mr.. English 8
they have undergone revision in the
p case Of Mr.. Davis. 1t was quickly made
plain that Mr.. English was not to be
at the command of every partizan jol:;
Tier and solicitor. He had way Of
listening, pleasantly to the rainbow
their hands into his pocketbook. First,
there was mild remonstrance,- and this
was followed by sullen complaint, and
then cooling of the democratic heart
to- toward Mr.. English, which suggested
several kinds of an iceberg.
How much Mr.. English contributed to
the 1880 campaign was never known,
but 1t has been variously estimated that
he must have refused to contribute
about $25 100000, to Judge. from the
fault that was found with him.
Mr.. English was as unmoved in de-
feat as he was in the face of the hordes
- Of workers who were trying to over
come his Discrimination to- finance the
campaign. H retired to oksclrity none
the worse for his flyer OIL the presi-
Dental ticket, and with his fortune I'M
reduced.
Davis Will Not Invest.
Apparently, it is the intention of Mr.
Davis to do the same thing. The rain
bow chasers do not affect him one way
tenor of his way despite praise OF
blame, and having made a contribution
to the campaign which he thinks is
sufficient, he has put his checkboob
away. IF English could have foresee1
success in 1880, it is probable that he
would have given more than he did
and similarly today, if Davis coult
foresee success, it is probable that hi
So. would feel he could afford to stake
very tidy sum to help gain it, But sue
cess is not visible. The Roosevelt can
didacy is going over the country like
prairie fire, consuming everything in it
path, and Davis has prudently got on
of its way. If he wants to burn up hi
money, there are better ways thai
throwing it into the face Of such fire
If it had been known at the st. Loui
convention that Davis was going to fol
" low the English lead, it is safe to sa
that he never would have been give
the nomination, for like English, it wa
his pocketbook and nothing else tina
recommended him to his party.