The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-21

SAMUEL SULLIVAN COX. talent for t h Q
stump, his ready wit, and above all his good
nature and good sense, commended him to the
New York Democrats. He has been a model
of industry. In all the pressure of congress
sional life, to the duties of which he has given
assiduous attention, he has devoted much
time to literature and has published several
original and entertaining books"
The first of these books, "The Buckeye
Abroad" has often returned to plague the
author. In its pages he expressed without
reserve and with all the fervor of youth his
immature ideas on Catholicism, Ireland, for
eign trade and many other subjects, on which,
it is scarcely necessary to add, his opinion
was changed by longer observation. Never
theless these were his expressions in type, and
they have many times been quoted, both in
congress and the campaign press.
The work which Mr.. Cox did In congress
was of the most practical nature. He was
always the friend of the letter carriers, and
he not only secured them better pay, intro
duced bill which gave them vacations, but
he worked hard and long to lessen their hours
of labor, in which effort he was successful.
His law for the inspection Of foreign vessels
has done much to lessen the dangers OF the
sea, and the bill he introduced for the protee-
ton of immigrants put an end to many scan
dalous abuses
A number of resolutions about the protec-
ton and release of American citizens abroad,
including the vindication of German, Irish
and Hebrew citizenship and religious tolera-
ton, fill his honorable record. Mr. Cox tried
twice to pass bill for the protection of COM
mercial travellers, which was both times de-
feated in the senate For many years he was
regent Of the Smithsonian institution. He
moved to take the Thurman bill FORGETTING
lands given to the Pacific railroads from the
table and passed it in the house after one
days debate. He made the only speech
against the back pay bill and returned the
money paid to him.
Mr. Cox served as a member of the COM
mittee of foreign affairs, for which he was
eminently qualified by his experience in
diplomacy, his extensive travels in foreign
lands and his close study and research. His
mind was retentive and vigorous When in
1883 he was candidate for speaker of the
house Of representatives 1t was asserted that
no other man was better adapted for the
position than Mr.. Cox, because OF his per-
feet familiarity with the rules and practice of
the house AS speaker pro tenn he proved
himself an excellent parliamentarian, bearing
himself with dignity and measure of force
little to be expected from so slight form.
Every Congressman regretted that Mr. Cox
was to leave Washington for Constantinople.
He had been so long in the house that they
could not bear the idea Of parting with him.
He was appointed in March, 1885, and soon
after he took his departure from New York
for the scene of his new labors in the East.
The sultan gave him a most cordial recep-
ton, and it is certain that he made a most
favorable impression upon the Turkish court.
He cleared up many diplomatic tangles, and
the relations Of the United States and Tur-
key were never more friendly. At length
Mr.. Cox wearied Of the Orient, resigned,
came home and easily resumed his place in
congress. 81 yearned for the society Of you
gentlemen" he said in one of his speeches
after his return, and the good natured laugh
which followed showed that the yearning was
mutual. His greatest success was to come.
Almost alone he extracted his party from an
absurd position in regard to the admission Of
the new states, and Won 50 many friends that |