The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-11
HENRY GASSAWAY DAVIS. FORMER U. s. SENATOR.
 IS DEAD AT 73 YEARS
Vice-Presidentia1 Candidate on Democratic Ticket In Campaign of 1904 Passes Away At Washington.
Had Remarkable Career in Public Life and Was Known as "The Old-Fash- toned Gentleman of the Senate.'

Washington, March 11.-Henry Gass- away Davis, former U. s. senator from West Virginia and vice-presidentia1 candidate on the Democratic ticket in 1904 died here early today.
 Mr. Davis was stricken with grippe about a fortnight ago while on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. stephen B. FL kins, and on account of his advanced age was unable to withstand the at tack.
 Funeral arrangements were being completed today Interment will be at E1kins, w. Va, home of the former senator.
 Senator Henry Gassaway Davis wit messed and participated in the great political epochs of American progress for more than three-quarters of a cen tury. He was the tto1d fashioned gen tleman'' in the Senate. His utterances were those of the old Jeffersoptan days.
 Liberty and free government have always been secured at the cost of casion. 'But history, teaches us that both can be easily lost without the knowledge of the people,
 It is significant that he was born in the same year, 1923, at woodstock, Md, that the Monroe Doctrine became
 
 politics. During his distinguished ca reer he fought to maintain it. He later represented the United States at two Pan-American conferences at which by his personality and speeches he strove to strengthen the bonds of friendship between North and South America.
 Senator Davis active political career began the year after the Civil War. He was elected a member of the House of Delegates of the new state of West Virginia, and next served as state senator.
 West Virginia sent him to the Unit ed States Senate as it's first Demo- cratic representa- tive in 1871 He two terms with distinction. He ceaselesly urged Congress to help the farmers by establishing an agricu1- tural department. His own bills failed in passing, but he lived to see the day his far-sightedness was recognized.
 A familiar figure in Presidential conventions, Senator Davis led his delegates from West Virginia to the nomination hall on seven occasions, probably a record for such service.
 A year after he had retired volun- tarily from the Senate, he was urged to become a candidate for Vice-Pres- ident on the ticket with Grover zCleve- land. He declined. He accepted the nomination, however, as running mate VNAS@4 the oldest candidate, aged 81, ever se- lected for the office.
 The venerable senator was not only a Democrat in politics, bt he was a Democrat in nature He was the champion of liberty.
 Imperialism is hurtfuI and abhor- rent in free government" he de- clared when accepting the nomination for Vice-President in the St. Louis convention in 1904. t'The policy of i'm perialism is always dangerous to lib erty''
 The great wealth of Senator Davis. estimated at $3eO0O, ,0O0, was acquired by his far-sfghtedness and his ability to take advantage of opportunities He was the eldest of five children and at an early age, on his fathers death, became the bread-winner of the fam i'-- At 1s years of age he was a farm hand on Maryland plantation, hav- ing reIinquished opportunities for an education in favor of his younger 
 His great business career began when he became brakeman on a freight train. His rise was rapid. At that time railroad trains did not run at n1ght-it was too dangerous At the approach of dusk they made for the nearest stations and waited for sunrise.
 Tt is a waste of time,'' insisted young Davis, who was then master of 
 He startled the veteran operators by sending out the first night train be- tween Baltimore and Cumberland It a new epoch in railroading
 Davis increased his wealth and fame rapidly As a merchant, he made a small fortune. Then as 8. landhoIder in West Virginia, he came into posses sion of coal lands which were des- tined to make him a prince of wealth.
 The towns in West Virginia owe rhelr existence and prosperity to the nultl-r11llionaire statesman. One bears ms name, Davis, and the other the name of his son-in-law and political opponent Senator Elkins In, the lat ter city stand many memorials hos pltals, schools, children's homes and churches, commemorative of his gem