POLITICIAN WATCH : Crusty Integrity

Readers who have been around long enough to remember when state Sen. Ed Davis was L.A. Police Chief Ed Davis may also remember that this editorial page differed with him back then on many, many occasions.

But we never doubted his crusty integrity, or his devotion to public service. So it is with some regret that we take note of the Santa Clarita Republican’s decision to retire from public life, announced last week. He will leave office at the end of his current term, when he will be 76 years old and will have served 12 years in the Legislature.

When Davis was first elected in a conservative suburban district in 1980, it was largely on the strength of his reputation as a tough advocate for law and order. To this day his best-known public statement--much to Davis’ chagrin--was his 1972 remark on airplane hijackers, “Hang ‘em . . . at the airport.” And, indeed, Davis became an advocate in Sacramento for tough anti-crime measures.

Yet he showed growth that surprised his fellow Republicans as often as it did Democrats: He supported gay rights and many environmental issues.

Amid a continuing FBI probe into Capitol corruption and with term limits on the horizon, it goes almost without saying that the Legislature has seen better days. But whatever the situation in Sacramento, it is reassuring to know there are still legislators best known for their hard work and honesty. One name that consistently has been on the short list of Southern California’s best and brightest in the state Capitol is Ed Davis. He will be missed.