The Washington herald., 1910-06-30
SAM DAVIS ANTI-RAT ISSUE.
Missouri Statesman Who Won Fame
49, suGarad tho Co0seuueu@ea

Missouri Statesman Who Won Fame
and Suffered the Consequences.
A Missouri gentleman proposes to run
for the legislature on the issue Of the
removal Of the National Capitol west
ward. He would place it In the heart of
the corn belt. where Joe Cannon and his
crowd can be watched at closer range.
The idea recalls the methods Of some
earlier statesmen. says the New York
Sun.
In 1874, Roderick Shackleford was
elected to the legislature from Macon
County over Judge Frederick Rowland.
a popular Democrat. because he told the
voters that he would make the powers
at the capital widen and deepen and
straighten the Charlton River so steam
boats could come up from ST. Louis.
On that issue Shackleford. who ran as a
Whig, broke through a Democratic ma
porfty of 200 The Charlton is little
stream about big enough for an Indian
canoe.
Judge Samuel Davis. OF Marshall, Mo,
who was here as a witness in Circuit
Court this week. was elected, when
very young man. on another queer plat
form Like Shackleford. he had against
him a popular and able gentleman, 50
he cast about for something 10 turn the
scales.
He found it one day in a newspaper
Item 20 the effect that Western Missouri
farmers were losing their grain by the
depredations Of swarms Of rats He
determined TO run for the legislature
on the platform death 10 ratsr' II was
a live issue. The farmers OF Saline
County were more interested in getting
rid OF the rats than in the crime Of '7S
They took to young Davis and his issue
and triumphantly elected him. Then they
directed him 10 get busy.
Davis prepared his law against rats,
supposing that the legislators would
treat it as a joke, but they listened
gravely and passed the bill.
Sam Daviss rat bill provided that
eft is hereby lawful for any county court
| In the State of Missouri 10 offer a reward
not exceeding five cents per scalp for the
! destruction of rats Provided that
no reward shall be paid for any number
/ OF rats less than fifty" In some Of the
| border counties, notably in Bates and
Cass, the county clerk had 10 move out
OF his Office 10 make room for rat scalps.
| After several wagon loads had been pur-
| chased at Missour's generous rate it was
| learned that the industrious Jayhawkers
across the line had been Staying rats
and smuggling them into Missouri. Some
even went TO breeding them so as 10 keep
| the market supplied.
| Retrlbution came eventually 10 the
Young statesman. Some fellow invented
a wonderful wire contrsption which he
named THE Sam Davis Automatic Rat
Fxterminator" one day an agent who
was canvasslng Marshall found Davis
out in his garden and began reel
| ing off the wonderful advantages Of the
| Sam Davis rat killer. remarking as a
clIneher of its merit that il had the In
dorsement of Sam Davis. the man who
| had put the the bill through. Davis was
a mild hammered young man, but IL took
| three policemen, 1t Is said, TO save the
| life of that agent
The father Of the rat bill was immortal
lied by Eugene Field. who was then a
| student at Columbia University AS soon
as Field heard of the bill he seized his
poetic pen and handed this TO young
Davis:
sani Davis member from Saline
| A.plodding home one night was seen
Rv two old rats-forloFn and gray.
Too shrewd 70 venture ont by day.
But with the moon lights dolefu hour
They sought what they might best deTour.
Sam Davis paused, well be might.
And viewed the touching mosgrnful sight
Two rats two aged rats foTlorn
A browsing in the early mo1ul
Said he. MY friends. how comes it 90
That through the streets you rambling gol
s'Have ron not beard the mandate hurled
Down from the house into the world
That sets price upon your head
That PAYS a bonus fer rats deadi
How comes II then. that mp and down
You saunter through this hostile town.
One old rat the Scion eyed
And in a s1uaking voice replied:
why question US! The law applies
To rats Of every sge and size.
Nov tell Us is there-ansNer true
An older bigger rat than youi"