The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-07-03
SUNSET" COX.
HIS METHODS or WORK, LITERARY
AND CONGRESSIONAL
A Peep at His workshop-The Secret Of
His Success-A Desk with His
tory-Hours Of
Labor.

Frank J. Carpenter In Detroit Free Press.l
Mr. Cox is perhaps the fastest worker
among American writers, and there is 10
congressman who accomplishes one third
the amount hs does In a given time. On
the floor Of the house Of representatives he
seemed to have devoted nights Of study es-
pecially directed to every question which
was sprung upon congress. He was found
ct every big dinner party and was noted as
making the best after dinner speeches Of
any Of his fellows, and at the same time the
press and the magazines were tesming with
articles from his pen. To-day he would
make a long and thoughtful speech on the
floor Of the house, and tonight you would
hear of him delivering an address to some
great association or giving a lecture on
music, science or art to crowded houseS
In the midst Of all this he has had time to
chat with his friends, receive his constitu-
ents, and carry on the business relating to
his private fortune, which in connection
with that of his wife is no small matter.
How does he do iti asked him the ques-
tion the other night while We we're seated
together in his library talking about his
book and his answer was "system" Said
he, in substance, u began my life in county
clerks Office, and there learned good busi-
ness habits My college days were spent at
Brown university under DIR. Wayland, the
man who wrote the political economy. DIR.
Wnyland was great advocate OF
exhaustive thought analysis, and he
made his students analyzs rything they
took up Under him I learned analytic
thinking. and this l found Of great advan.
tage to myself in after years When be-
gan debate on the floor of the house, saw
the end OF my speech before said the first
word, everything fitted itself to its proper
place, and did not repeat, as Is ofteh done.
When / studied Blackstone after leaving
college, by the aid Of my training in analy.
sis / found that / could repeat almost the
whole of it in my own language and since
then, throughout the whole Of my life,
have found analysis and system OF the
greatest advantage. Before / commenced
my book had a skeleton of the whole work
in my mind, and had only to fill in the
flesh and send the life blood coursing
through its veins. am now engaged in
making the toilet Of the finished structure"
Mr. Cox here showed me an outline Of
his book by chapters which he had drawn
up during its first stages, and then some Of
the completed work, showing how closely his
first idea had been carried out
His workshop Is well arranged for q sys-
tematic worker, and evidences OF Sunset
Cox fill every part Of 1t. 1t is large, airy
room on the second floor, with great win
dows which look out at the Potomac and
Arlington on one side and over the fashion
able part of Washington on another. Near
one window there is a big mahogany desk
with a case of pigeon-holes on its top. and
over it a big bronze bust, about three feet
square, representing Don Quixots in the
midst OF his vain fight with the wind
mills This de is devoted entirely to con-
gressional work, and whenever he writes or
thinks in regard to matters going on in con-
gress it Is here Mr.. Cox sits That desk,
however, has a history. 1t is ons which
stood in the speakers room at the time John
Quincy Adams died there, and I doubt not
that the old state man often used It 1t is
filled now. as then, with congressional docu-
ments, and now in far better order than
were those which it held, when, bright and
now. it first took it, place in the capitol to
accommodate tho sittings Of Clay, Webster
and Calh oun
Not far from this desk stands one Of the
funniest little mahogony whirlgig set OF
pigeonhols shelves, very much like q revolv-
ing book case which you often see in
LAWYERS office But this Is round and not
square II has many shelves, and these Mr..
Cox keets filled with his work upon which
he is engaged in lines outside of congress
from time to time. All is in perfect system,
and everything is always ready at hand.
Mr. Cox has good habits Of work. He
rises early and comes into this room at
o'clock and works at his mail
until breakfast time. After break
fast during session he usually
worked on until 10 o'clock, when 1t
was time for him to start to congress In
the evening, when not engaged elsewhere,
he would be found again working here,
and at II o'clock you will see the light burn
ing in his room If you pass by. OF course
he uses a shorthand man, and to him be die
tates at lightning speed. Some Of MS liter.
ary work is dictated. The finer passages,
however, he has written himself, and the
most vivid descriptions have caused him
many a visit to the congressional library to
refresh his memory and to saturate his mind
with the spirit and feelings Of the times OF
which he IL writing.