Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-12
DAVIS BECOMES PARTY CHIEF
AT TOP OF BRILLIANT CAREER

from A. c.. Bedford, chairman of the
board Of the Standard Oil company
of New York, a country home near
Locust Valley, Long Island, where
he now lives. Mrs. Davis votes in
Locust Valley, but Mr.. Davis still
casts his ballots 10 Clarksburg.
The Democratic nominee is
member and Vestryman of the Epis-
copal Church of st. John, in Lat
tingtown. He is a thirty second de-
gree Mason and a member of the
Metropolitan and University clubs,
in New York, as well as the Chevy
Chase, Lawyers and National Press
clubs, Washington. He was presi-
dent of the West Virginia Bar as
ISOLATION in 1905, und of the Ameri-
can Bar association in 1922.
Not Active Candidate
Mr. Davis was not an active can
didate for the Democratic nominal
ton for president, either in 1920 or
this year His attitude was express
ed on June 10 in a letter which he
wrote to the Davis-for President club,
of Chicago. In it he said
"I am not candidate for the
nomination, and any decision to the
contrary must come from the party
and not from myself"
My only desire" he added, sis
that the party shall choose the man
best calculated to lead it to sue
cess, for + agree with you in think
ing that the national situation i'm
peratively demands the return of
the Democratic party to power. With
the record of the last three years
before them, it is inconceivable that
the people should voice their ap-
prevail to those now in power"
Mr. Davis on returning to the Unit
ed States in April, 1921, joined the
law firm Of Stetson, Jennings, Rus
sell and Davis, the same firm in
which Grover Cleveland had mem
bership when he was nominated as
the Democratic candidate for the
presidency in 1892.
Leader of New York Bar
Because of his legal ability he soon
became one of the leaders of the
New York bar and as such was re-
tanned as counsel by many large bust
ness concerns. These legal connec-
lions were pointed to often by some
Of those who opposed Mr.. Davis in
the Democratic convention, notably
by William Jennings Bryan.
Taking cognizance of the objec-
tions that were being raised in some
quarters, Mr.. Davis in a letter to a
friend, made public about a month
ago, voiced his theory of the proprie-
ty of such connections as related to
public service.
81 conceive it," he said, ito be the
duty of the lawyer, just as it is the
duty of the priest or surgeon, to
serve those who call on him, unless,
indeed, there is some insuperable OBJ
stacle in the way. No one in all this
list of clients has ever, controlled or
fancied that he could control my per-
sonal or political conscience.
Il am vain enough to imagine that
no one ever will. The only limita-
ton upon a right thinking lawyers
independence is the duty he owes to
his clients, some selected, to serve
them without the slightest thought
of the effect such service may have
upon his own personal popularity or
political fortunes.
Amy lawyer who surrenders this
independence or shades his duty by
trimming his professional course to
fit the gusts of popular opinion, in
my judgment, not only dishonors
himself, but disparage s and degrades
the great profession to which he
should be proud to belong
Il must stand by my philosophy.
What is life worth, after all, if one
mas no philosophy of his own to live
1t by? If one surrenders this to win
an office, what will he live ~ after
the office is won? Tell me that"
Cancels Trip Abroad
Mr.. Davis has made no plans fol
the future. He will probably out.
line his campaign plans at his sum-
mer residence, Locust Valley, New
York. Until IL o'clock last night
the Democratic nominee held open
house for delegates and friends at
the residence of Frank Polk, where
Mr.. and Mrs. Davis are staying. He
has cancelled his reservations on
the Berengaria for his trip abroad
where he was to attend an interna-
tional meeting of lawyers in London.
Groups of leaders, representing
every wing of the party, visited him