The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-09

-. w,
moved from Greenevie, North Carolina with his father
Ills mother Sarah r. Cobb, the daughter OF the late
Thomas Rooies, OF fredericksburg. Virginia Howell,
Their eldest child, married the Goth OF May 1885,
then not twenty years OF age, to Mary Ann Lamar,
daughter OF the late Colonel Zachariah Lamar Of Mil.
ledgeslle Georgia. By whom he had six sons, three Of
whom are deadthe two youngest having died at Wash
iogton city during the FIRST session OF the heth Con-
gress.
Al nineteen. in the year 1884, he graduated at Frank
lin College, The university oil Georgia, standing, OF course
respectfully in his class His uncle. Howell Cobb. after
whom he was named represented district OF Georgia in
the Congress OF the United States, during the last
with Britain and his cousin, Thomas Cobb, was not
many years since United States from the
State.
In 1886. nearly two years after his marriage the sab
ject OF this sketch was admitted TO the bar aud once
gave such evidence OF talent character and aainmens
rarely possessed BY one OF his age that in the ensuing
year, he was elected by the legislature solicitor general OF
resided Al the expiration Of the term he was defeated.
owing TO the fact that his political opponents obtained
maloyin the legislature, and left the office ranking with
three succeeding years. Mr. Cobb devoted himself with
unemed labor to the practice OF his profession. His
mind IS most happily adapted to the bar-rapdity Of
aad q h being his
strong and warm, leading him 10 make his clients cause
thoroughly his own The address Of Mr. Cobb tbefoTe
Iuy Is marked with never. failing earnestness often
ton, giving his eloquence admirable effect.
In lS42 Mr. Cobb was elected, on general ticket, TO
the Congress OF the United States being his first
vice in any legislative body. Since that time he has
been successfully e.eecedfn 1874, ls4e. and ls4s
The Democratic Review, from which we condense,
says Of The new Speaker "Mr Cobb is the first who.
without previous service in State legislature, Or long
experience in that body has suddenly il were, been
elevated 10 the leadership Of party in the House Yet,
the political and legislative stage at Washington, we are
by no means surprised at the rapdty with which he has
acquired the influence in the hail. superior to that OF any
other member on his own SIDE necessary as the ounda
of his title ba looked In 40 he ms
duty i is to stand forth as the champion Of his political
aith IN the numerous passages over motions and
suggestions in the decision Of which the fate Of every
important and closayconestcd party question is in
volvea indeed the qualities which have thus elevated
him such as never fail to give success, in private
well as in public life, If not counteracted by other and
contrary peculiares OF these we may Justly attribute
TO him strong sense, never failing good temper, ntui
tive knowledge OF men and things, general attanments,
ed parliamentary rules and regulatioDs remark
able readiness debater OF questioned points per-
sona integrity above the breath OF SUSPICION and frank
manly, and modest bearing gentleman as well as
guarantee that he never acts but for the interest of pn
ciples, not men.
Near the close OF the last session. the writer wnessed
memorable instance OF the value OF his skilful leg sla
tive aorneyshp, in the contrast presented by The bun
Cling manner in which gentleman who volunteered 10
take Mr. Cobbs place managed TO ruin the cause he was
bent on serving
This was upon the important amendment Of Senator
Walker 10 the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill A
proposition to attach TO that amendment the Wlmot
Proyiso had been offered and voted down by six
majority; this vote being the first occasion which the
anti provisosts had trumphed IN the House within two
years II was then moved that the House should adhere
10 It's previous disagreement TO or from Mr.. Walkers
proposition and that motion, too, was voted down.
Now, Walkers proposition Qor government for Cal.
iforna and New Meyico) embraced an acknowledgment
that the claim OF Texas to jurisdiction over Santa Fe is
valid which was very obnoxious to two or three MEMBERS
who would have voted for the amendment Invested OF
that clause. II understood that if stricken out, or
aatha man fheeo apa NIL
secure the passage OF this all mportant proposition
new and ambitious member sprung TO his feet, and
the Speaker (himsef unlriendiy to The Walker amend
nenD recognised him in preference 10 Mr.. Cobb, who
also contested for the floor He made his motion TO add
proviso, saying that nothing contained in the Walker
proposition should be taken TO express the opinion OF
Congress upon the Texas boundary question In put
ting he opened the whole Walker proposition to amend
ment thus giving lis enemies the desired opportunity TO
kill time," by moving amendments calls for yeas and
nays, calls of the House, adournmens, &C. &c, which
forced the majority to choose between the failure OF the
proposition to make government for California and New
Mexico, The termination OF the session, lthen within
few hours OF the end OF It's constitutional existence with
out the enactment OF the civil and diplomatic appropri
alton BILL the loss of which would have created neces
siiy for an extra session OF Congress
endeavored to prove that the young gentleman meant
what he should have novel; viz toagree TO Mr.. Walk
ers proposition, with the proviso above stated But all
his skill was not sufficient 10 repair the fatal error For
the House compelled 10 sustain the decision
Of the Chair who ruled that The mistake had opened the
whole question to amendment; whereas, had Mr.. T..
been recognised in the FIRST instance the phraseoogy in
which he would have offered the motion would have
cut of further propositions TO amend, and have thus
brought the Committee OF the Whole to direct vote for
against this famous Senate amendment which, in that
case, would have undoubtedly passed
As annoying was the error 10 all the friends oil this
opposition for government for the new Territories, IL
Was most annoying TO Mr. Cobb, by whose careful, pa
tent, and adroit management its triumph had been well
nigh secured, in the face OF decided majority, which, in
the earlier stages OF the days proceedings opposed
ali.
trace OF disappointment His eye beamed calmly and
loyoIsy as ever and his expressive mouth wore no
curve OF dspleasure He, who of all the friends OF the
proposition perhaps, most worried BY the result OF
the unmey and unfortunate interference OF the young
gentleman, alone turned no conlempuous aad indignant
look upon him Ten to one, the angry and rebuking
glances which half dozen Of the members flashed AT
and kind bearing OF Mr. c., in subsequent
with him upon the subject, has made the
latter personal friend OF political opponent, 10 be val
liable for his purposes closely contested questions in
after years.
Such are the functions OF party leader in the House
Of Representatives of The United States, and such are
the all important and effective qualifications for this post
OF responsibility and honor brought to il ny Mr. Howell
Cobb
Though called early in his congressional career this
absorbing duty, Mr. G. has found time TO deliver careful
prepared and powerful SET speeches upon leadns ques
tons On the Iith and 18th OF January, 1914, he
motion Of his colleague Mr. Black for The esdc aa OF
the celebrated 2ls rule he delivered very able speech
in rindcaon OF the coastuiionaly OF that regulation,
OF the devotion OF the South 10 the Unlon aud of the
title OF the northern democrats who had taken what he
conceived TO be the true constitutional position upon the
question: 10 the gratitude Of his own section Of the
federacv