The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1872-08-23

priety of opening public positions
to every condition, experience hss
proved that the Mayor Of q great
city should be beyond pecuniary
want. Undoubtedly the choice of
such man rs Willianl nj. Tweed
at the head OF perhaps the most
important department in the city
of New York opened the way 10
that series of speculations and
corruptions which tottered TO its
fall amidst the congratulations Of
the people, in the autumn of 1871.
In oItlen times the Mayors for
instance) OF Philadelphia were
men who aad acquired ind pen
dence by long years of ind stry
and frugality, and our people
proudly recall the days which
worthy citizens like Wharton,
Scott, and Page acted in that ca
pacity. 1t is true Philadelphia
during that time was not what Ia
is to-day, with its increasing popn-
lation and necessities. Perhaps
if they were now in command they
would not escape the censure SO
fiercely passed upon their success
ors. Governor Cooke ut the head
of the government OF the District
of Columbus, has come in for his
full share of criticism, but his vim
dication closely follows the proofs
OF the justice and the sagacity of
his administration. His career is
an example of his fitness TO pre-
side over the destinics of = great
cosmopolitan centre. Born ia
Ohio, educated at Mcadville, Penn
sylvania, bred to the law, then q.
school teacher and u newspaper
editor in Philadelphia, where hc
formed the acquaintance of liter
ary lights like Joseph Il. Chand-
Ter, Joseph c. Neal, and Robert T.
Conrad, then vice consul at one of
the South American ports under
his connection, Consul General
William G.. Moorchcad, more than
twenty five years ago, and finally
finding fortune in acquiring q.
knowledge of banking under his
brother, Jay Cooke. in Philadcl-
phia, his removal to Washington,
at the beginning of Mr.. Lincoln's
administration, and his connection
afterwards with the great banking
house with which he is still ldcnti-
fed, he has gathered enough
knowledge of men to quality INN
for the arduous services which
have made Washington City what
it is. Fine manners, princcly hos
pitality, warm and ardent sympa
thies with the new citizens and
the cause of universal education,
make him acceptable to every
class. Never q politician in the
vulgar Interpretation of that word,
although a sincere and consistent
Republican, and rich enough, rs
have said, to escape suspicion, his
intercourse with the Representa-
tivcs and Senators in Congress of
every shade is agreeable to him
self and profitable to his constitu-
cnts. The generous bounty Of
Congress to the District at the last
session, inspired by the explicit
recommendations of General
Grant in his annual message, are
to be attributed to the confidence
reposed in Governor Cooke; and
when our law makers meet in De
cember they will be surprised at
the enormous amount of work
done under the auspices of Gov
ernor Cooke and the energetic
Board of Public Works appointed
by the President, with Alexander
L. Shepherd at their head.
In five years from to-day the
District of Columbia will he the
choice winter resort of the coun-
try, and will be to people of We; th
and intelligcnce-to inventors,
our men of science, and to for
eigncrs, an irresistible attraction.
Directly connected, North and
South, by new railroads, and of
fcring extraordinary inducements
to psrsons of moderate means who
desire to live in a healthy climate
and to enjoy the best society, it
will be sought by men from every
State, whether as visitors or resi-
dents. And when that day comes
no name will be more affectionatc-
~ remembered and honored than
that of Governor Henry ID. Cooke.
II Washington Sunday Chronicle.