The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-03-16
HENRY G. DAVIS DEAD
Former Senator Expires In Washing
ton; Was %.

Former United States Senator Henry
Gassaway Davis, of West Virginia,
Vice-Presidential candidate on the
Parker Democratic ticket in 1904, died
at Washington at las A. M. Saturday,
after brief illness. He was SO years
old.
Mr.. Davis was stricken with grip
about a fortnight ago while on a visit
to his daughter, Mrs. Stephen B. Elk
ms, and was unable to Withstand the
attack.
Interment was made at Elkins, W.
Va, home of the former Senator.
Henry Gassaway Davis career was a
remarkable and distinguished one.
When he ran for the Presidency
be was the oldest candidate ever known
for that office. If Mr.. Davis had been
elected, the end of his term would have
found him strong mentally and physical
ly, and, indeed a second and even a
third term of office would have passed
with his mind and body still undanted.
Mr.. DAVIS was born at Woodstock,
Md, November 16, 1923, and received
a meager education in public schools.
He saved his money and became a
merchant and coal-land operator His
many ventures prospered exceedingly.
His coal lands rose to almost fabulous
value.
He was also successful as a railroad
builder. Two of his lines were the
West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh
Railway, which was sold to the Wabash
in 1902, and the Coal and Coke Railway
of West Virginia.
A large section of West Virginia was
almost created by the hand of Senator
Davis. He built two towns, one of
which, Davis, bears his own name, and
the other Elkins, that of his son-in-law.
His philanthropies were numerous.
Mr.. Davis in 1853 married Miss Kate
A. Bantz, daughter of Judge Gideon
Bantz of Frederick, Md His home was
in Elkins. He leaves three children
Mrs. Stephen B. Elklns, widow of the
late Senator Elkins of West Virginia,
and Mrs. Arthur Lee, both of Washing
ton, and John 7. Davis, who lives in
Elkins.
Senator Henry Gassaway Davis
witnessed and participated IN the great
political epoch of American progress
for more than three-quarters of a
century. He was the "old fashioned
gentleman" in the Senate. His utter
ances were those of the old Jetfersonian
days.
Liberty and free government have
always been secured at the cost of
great sacrifices, he said on one oc-
casion. But history teaches US that
both can be easily lost without the
knowledge of the people"
1t is significant that he was born in
the same year, 1882, that the Monroe
Doctrine became a fundamental princi-
pie in American politics. During his
distinguished career he sought to main
tain it. He later represented the United
States at two Pan-American con-
ferences 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 member of the House
of Delegates of the new State of West
Virginia, and next served as State Sena-
tor.
West Virginia sent him to the United
States Senate as its first Democratic
representative IN 1871. He served two
terms with distinction. He ceaselessIv
urged Congress to help the farmers bv
establishing an agricultural department.
His own bills failed in passing, but he
lived to see the day when his far
sightedness was recognized
A familiar figure in Presidential con-
ventions, Senator Davis led his dele
gates from West Virginia to the nomina-
ton hall on seven occasions, probably a
record for such services.
A year after he had retired volun-
tarily from the Senate he was urged to
become candidate for Vice President on
the ticket with Grover Cleveland. He
declined. He.accepted the nomination,
however, as running mate with Alton
B. Parker.
The venerable Senator was not only a
Democrat in politics, but he was a
democrat in nature. He was the
champion of liberty.
imperialism is hurtful and abhor-
rent in free. Government" he declar-
ed when accepting the nomination for
Vice. President in the st. Louis Con-
vention of.1904. The policy of i'm
perialism is always dangerous to
liberty"
The great wealth of Senator Davis,
estimated atiS30, 100000, was acquired
by his farslghtedness and his ability to
take advantage of opportunities. He
was the eldestlofifve children, and at
an early age, on his fathers death, be-
came the breadwinner of the family
4 1E7 l..