The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-03-11

ment that will result in permanent
benefits OF great magnitude to both
North and South America. but espe-
cially to the former. Senator Davis
has. ever since his entrance into pub
lie life taken a deep and abiding In.
terest in the development Of COM
merce between the United States and
the governments in South America,
and has taken a particular interest in
the Importance OF adequate transpor-
tation facilities 20 and from these
countries.
IL was thus but natural, when Mr..
Harrison became president OF the Uni
ted States. and Mr.. Blaine. secretary
or state (both of them. by the way.
being very intimate social as well IA
business friends OF Mr.. Davis, and also
interested in the West Virginia Cen
trail Railway that in making up
The List Of Delegates
to the first International conference
OF the American republics, held in
Washington in s1SS9-9O. that they
should select their friend and former
colleague who represented so well
the commercial and Transports
ton interests OF the country and ne
! was chosen as OF the ten delegates
TO represent the United States. Upon
the organization OF the conference he
was appointed on the committee of
railway communication. and the re-
port OF that committee largely his
work. marked the first step toward
carrying out the great project OF unit
ing the three Americas by a continu-
Gus band of steel.
The second Pan-American confer
ence was held in the city OF Mexico in
the winter of 19O1-02. and Mr.. Nc
Kinley recognizing the fitness Of Mr..
Davis. both on account OF his former
experience and his particular qualifi-
cations for this position. appointed
him as one of the five delegates from
the United States, and he was unani-
mously chosen by his fellow members
as their chairman. Notwithstanding
the fact tina. he was not OF the politi-
cal party then in power. Mr.. Davis.
although nearly eighty, went to Mex
leo and entered into the work OF the
conference with his characteristic zeal
and energy.
On Tax Commission.
In 1901 Senator Davis was appointed
by Governor White as a member OF the
tax commission, TO revise the tax laws
OF West Virginia, which experience
had proven very unsatisfactory. The
commission was composed OF three
Republican and two Democratic mem
bers. Mr.. Davis entered heartily in
to this work and succeeded in having
several OF his suggestions incorpor-
ated into the report OF the commission.
but when the legislature completed the
revision OF the commissions report,
the original report had been evolu-
tionized into farce that would have
made II Understandable by the mem
bers OF the commission. and the SEN
ator was much Disguised with the
Legislators for their warfare upon the
report and has often alleged that they
eliminated the measures that would
have been of the most substantial
worth. and in their place put unfair
and unwise substitutes.
The senator's later life has indeed
been unique; IN that although re-
tired and out OF politics he has always
been OF service to his nation. always
ready to drop private business to
take up the public's welfare and I'm
this respect II must be said of him
even by his enemies, that he has ever
been public-spirtted citizen. and has
never been deaf to the call OF public
duty. whether II necessitated neglect
OF private business or not.
To enumerate all the charities and
beneficences of Henry G. Davis would
be a Herculean attempt as simplicity
and lack Of ostentation have always
characuzed mis- public and privat,
gifts.
Mr.. Davis developed and received a.
a reward a very large share of this
worlds goods, but no consideration,
critic can accuse him OF having evel
been penurious in
His Phllanthropies.
h, He has undoubtedly contributed
more than any other individual 10 III,
development OF West Virginia. He ha,
played leading part in the evolution
/ or the state from a small and unde
veloped mountainous region into one
OF the wealthiest OF the national sis
terhood OF a wealthy nation. As a re
suit OF this work of development. Mr.
Davis ultimately reaped a vast for
tune, and his beneficences have beer
made upon the principle that "A gooe
deed should be remembered" West
/ Virginia has been the source and pro
Queer Of Senator Davis's fortune. In
return West Virginia has profited
greatly by Senator Davis. Upon his
own state the blessings OF his life
have fallen. and the mountain state
has received a most liberal heritage
from her distinguished son. who IN
, addition TO opening up her markets
TO the world has seen his way clear
TO bestow upon her citizens a long ar
ray OF public and private benefactions
Mr.. Davis has always manifested
a particular interest In the welfare OF
those towns along the line OF the
Western Maryland which largely owe
their existence to him, and Il IL chief
~ these towns that have profited from
his many philanthropies.
The existence and prosperity OF tbe
towns Of Elkins. Piedmont. Davis
Thomas. Keyser. Elk Garden and
! Deer Park. Md. are largely
Due 20 His Efforts.
IA has been told. Mr.. Davis has al
ways been n man OF charitable i'm.
pulses and he has given concrete OK.
preston Of these feelings IN many
practical ways. At Piedmont. where
he lived for so many years. ne erect.
ed and gave to the town a handsome
and cOmmOdious brick school build
ing. now known a. the Davis Pres