Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-12-06


THE OLDEST MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
"Sunset" Cox, as he lis popularity called, or
Samuel Sullivan Cox, as he was baptized, is
a grandson of James Cox, who was Con-
gresham before him as well as a Brigadier-
General of New Jersey militia and Demo-
cratic politician Of note. Samuels father
left the old homestead at Monmouth some
time after James CoX'sdeath and emigrated
to Ohio, settling at GAINESVILLE, where Sam
uel s. was born on the 30th of September,
1924. The boy, after passing through the
common school curriculum Of those days,
was sent to the Ohio University, where,
however, he did not finish his collegiate ca
reer, but went to Brown University, at
Providence, R. l., where he graduated in
the class of 1916. He studied law, went
back to Ohio and began to practice in the
courts. He did not, however, take kindly
to the profession, and after tripin Europe,
the story of which he told in GA Buckeye
Abroad" he, in 1858, became the editor of
the Ohio Statesman, published at Columbus.
In 1855, he was appointed Secretary of Le-
cation to Peru, by the Pierce Administra-
tion, and on his return he cultivated pol
itics and was elected from the Columbus (O)
District to the Thirty-fifth Congress, which
was in session during the momentous period
just preceding the Inauguration of Abraham
Lincoln as President. He stood by the Un-
ion, and was rewarded by being returned
successively to the Thirty-seventh and Thir-
ty-eighth Congresses. In 1864, he was de-
feated, by the Republican candidate, and he
removed to New York City in the follow
ing Spring. Here he wrote his Eight
Years in Congress-" an interesting volume
of personal observations and experiences.
The interval between his removal from
Ohio to New York, and in his election from
a New York district, Mr.. Cox passed, either
in travels abroad or in writing amusing
books about these travels. In 1868, he first
appeared as candidate in New York City,
and was elected by large majority over
Starr, his Republican opponent, which was
greatly augmented two years later when
Horace Greeley ran against him. In 1872,
when he ran for Congressnan-at-Large
against Lyman Tremaine, he was defeated.
He was, however, a few months after chosen
to fill the seat made vacant by the death of
James Brooks, and since then he has been
constantly in Congress doing good service,
not only by his wit and vivacity in debate,
but also by his adroitness on committees.
His work on the latter has never been fully
by the public generally. His
freedom from partisan bitterness, together
with his remarkable social qualities, have
made him as great favorite among Repub-
licans, as his mastery of parliamentary law
and constant readiness to enter into the
thick of a party engagement has made him
a necessity to the Democrats. He has occu-
pied seat in the House for longer period
than any of it's present members. While
he does not pretend to great activity in
measures, he pledges himself to
every bill that comes to vote in
the House.
Mr.. Cox is small of stature, 1.-the and en-
and as the date of his birth indi-
Gates, is SO years of age. He does not show
his years, although he may well look down
upon such new comers in politics as Mr..
Carlisle, and call them "younger'' men.
Mr.. Cox was old enough, brilliant enough
and prominent enough to have been ap-
pointed secretary of legation to James
Buchanan when minister to England un-
der Pierce, position which he declined
for reasons which reflect credit upon him.
Said Mr.. Cox the other day: "The place
was one of much honor, and I was a young
man lately from college, had made study
of international law, and was fond OF the
promise which such career offered; but
political Presidential campaign was then
about to start. Mr. Buchanan was candi-
date. was Douglas Democrat, and did
not feel that 1t would be right for me to
accept position where, however unjustly,
it might be suggested by Mr.. Buchanan's
friends that I was acting as Douglas spy"
From that time Mr.. Cox has been promi-
nent feature in American politics, and, al
though he has never achieved q higher
position than that of Representative in
Congress, his fame as an orator will Outlast
hat of many others who have been more
successful in caucus manipulations and as
controller of party machinery. Mr.. Cox
has reputation as humorist. Heis bril-
liant wit, and often yields to the tempta-
ions of all great wits of sacrificing friend
ships to sharp saying, but he is very
much more than awil. Heis one of the most
thorough students in Congress. His reports
md speeches on graver subjects, like the
Bulwer treaty, the Japanse indem-
1ity and many like questions, are standard
authorities. It is his misfortune that his
reputation is almost alone that of wit.
Many of his witty sayings have been exten-
ively published, and from this fact he has
acquired the reputation of being mere
ester, when, in fact, there is not more
thorough student, or better equipped de-
)ater, in Congress than Mr.. Cox. His book
III eulogies, which he has recently publish
ID, covering long period of years in Con-
,ress, is touching contribution to the NOR
uary eloquence. -....-..'-
Mr.. Cox is man of handsome fortune,
md he has the reputation of being an hon
,st public servant. He is hater of all
hams and jobs, and his hands are clean.
Though Mr.. Cox espOused the Union
ause in the war between the States since
he close of hostilities his public acts and
ltterances have been upon the hypothesis
hat the "war is over" and his sympathies
lave ever been with the South. In the
darkest days Of Reconstruction his voice
vas in behalf of the oppressed Southern
states, and in him they always had true
riand -sn