382 THE GfcOUNDSWEtL. 



PRESENT PROMINENCE AND LABORS. 



In March, 1873, Mr. Davis became President of the 

 newly-formed Agricultural Society of Davis County, and 

 went as a delegate, in company with Mr. John K. Wright, 

 to the Farmers State Convention, held on the 26th and 

 27th of the same month, at Topeka. He was elected Presi 

 dent of the Convention, and, at the organization of the State 

 Farmers Association, was chosen President of that body. 



Thus this earnest and untiring worker was happily har 

 nessed into the traces in this young State, to help roll for 

 ward the car of progress. 



He has been an indefatigable worker in the cause of in 

 dustrial education in Kansas, pitting himself fearlessly 

 against the sectarian cliques who sought to gain control of 

 the Agricultural College of that State, to the exclusion of 

 agriculture and mechanics. 



One of his most characteristic efforts was an open letter, 

 on the subject of such education, to the Governor of the 

 State, published in the Kansas Farmer, early in 1873. 

 This drew out some able criticisms from the editor of that 

 journal, and an attack upon Mr. Davis by Rev. L. Stern- 

 berg. The discussion was sharp, spirited, and interesting, 

 and has accomplished its full quota of good in moulding 

 public opinion on the subject of industrial education in 

 Kansas. It has also assisted in bringing Mr. Davis promi 

 nently before the people of the West, as an able and fear 

 less champion of their rights. 



