The National tribune., 1889-09-19
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital
HON. "sUNsEr" cox DEAD.


William T. Sherman, :. ]. kimball, Superin-
tendent Of the Life Saving Station; John I.
Agnew. Edward Cahill, Col. John A. Cockerill,
and Ex-Gox. George Hoadley. The services at
the church we're conducted by DIR. w. ii. Mil
burn. the blind Chaplain of the House of Rep
resentatives, assisted by Rev. Dewitt Talmage
and Rev. DIR. Deems.
Mr.. Cox was born in Evansville, O., Sept. 80,
1924: attended the Ohio University at Athens,
and was graduated from Brown University IN
the class of 1876. He studied and practiced
law: was the owner and editor Of the Column
bus (O.) Statesman during 1853 a. He was
elected 10 the 35th Both. 37th and 3Sth Con
crosses from the Columbus (O.) District. lie
removed TO New York city in 1865. and was
elected 70 the 4lst and 42d Congresses, and was
the candidate of the Democrats for Represent
ative-at-isrge for the 43d Congress, but was de-
feated. though running ahead Of his ticket.
He was subsequently, elected to the ABA Con-
greSs 10 succeed Brooks, deceased, and was
elected TO the 44th. 45th, 10th. Attn, 4Sth and
49th Congresses. He resigned the latter cleo
tion 10 accept the position Minister 10 Tur-
key. lie resigned the latter position and re-
turned to New York. and was elected 10 the
49th Congress to I'LL the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Joseph Pulitzer, and was elected
TO the 50th and 5lst Congresses. He has had
one Of the longest careers IN the House oil Rep
rescutztivcs of any man in the country, and
has been honOred several times by his party by
being elected Speaker pro tempore. and at one
time came within few votes OF being elected
Speaker Mr. Cox was one of the best-known
public men Of Washington city.
THE DEAD CONGRESSMAN.
The death OF the Hon. 5. S. Cox continues to
be the subject of gossip in Washington. lie
was here shortly after his return from the
West and was "a full OF witty stories as ever.
DE had been building two houses in Washing
ton. which he called The Twins" and during
L. .A.a
tect here asking him bow The Twins We're
getting along. Some friends Of the architect
who saw this telegram supposed that Mrs Cox
was the happy possessOr of twins, and this
story became the gossip Of the day. Mr. Cox
was asked about il when he came here, and he
spent the best part Of has visit here IN answer
ing questions about these additions TO has lam
ily Talking 81 il, lie laughed heartily and
seemed 10 enjoy the joke rs much as anyone.
Speaking Of ms real estate ventures, Mr.
Cox did very well in Washington property
during the past four or FIVE years. He bought
greensboro house Of three stories on Dupont
Circle some years ago for $4,000 cash. DE sold
IT, Just AS he was about going away 10 Turkey,
for $4,000 cash; thus making 10000 clear by
the bargain. Ho had in the meantime bought
q lot his old house, and on this he bnllt
another house for Sl9OJ0 which is now worth
At least S35 90. In the meanwhile am told that
be bought back his old house al q reduced price
over A4laL WHICH itc il4su hetll 4lA AtlEsS
new houses will probably net nice sum over the
cost OF building. Part Of that cost doubt not,
has been paid from the receipts OF the Diver
sions OF 2 Diplomat" lie received $4,000 for
this IN cash before be had given the manu-
script 10 the publishers. He also made nice
iiitle thing out Of his Three Decades Of Fed
Hrai Legislation" and his profits from this must
have been nearly $4,000.
Though he not proud OF H. Sunset Cox
was undoubtedly, the greatest wit Congress
has bad for years. There have been other Con-
Fressrnen during his career who have risen and
fallen on the ladder Of humorous reputation. but
none OF them lasted ss he has. Proctor Knott
made his one humorous Dnlnth speech, and
woke 70 fnd himself famous. He was AS much
surprised al las reputation as were the Con-
gressmen who heard him make the speech. His
Wit, however. was prepared, and he failed 20
sustain bis reputation afterwards. The wat Of
Mr. Cox was natural. IL came spontaneously
from hiBs. and many Of bis best repartees were
in the furry Of debate. Week by week his bon
1Ots Weut the rounds Of the House. and his
good stories enlivcned the dinner-tables as we'll
~ the Congressional proceedings. They were
not malicious. and they left 10 sting.
Much ~ be liked Congressional life, Sunset
Cox had not tic highest opinion Of Congress.
he said that Congressional work was like
fighting the windmill, aud Judge Kelley used
10 tel story which illustrated his opinion Of
IT, The Judge had been reelected Tor the tenth
or eleventh time, when Mr.. Cox met him and
said;
Well. Jndge, you are reelected, and prob
ably viii be reelected for life"
j. hope So replied Judge Kelley, "and ]
told nay people ! was a candidate for life, bar
ring paralysis or lnnaey."
Your exception WAS too broad /" replied Cox
"LUnacy Is no disqualification for 4 scat in
Congress"
II the next Congress have any funny men.
they must be among the new members limo
thy IaFsHey, with his coarse Irish styie has
b6eB Truauded 10 the wllds o. North Michigan.
Roswell q. HorT. the author Of the expression
+" that IL ,the South could raise more hogs and
less bell" has just refused has appointment
- q South American diplomat, and he viii
hardly SON be- elected 70 Congress James B.
Beli0Fd, the % redheaded rooster Of the Rock.
les," - making money by praetcing law IN
Denver, and BE says be cannot afford 10 come
back ~ Congress, and the only wits who arc
left are Aisen, Of Mississippi, and Tom Reed
the heavy funny man Of the House.
Speaking Of Reed recalls the story Of az
remark ~ 20 Sunset Co1s book, " The Tire,
Decade o. Federal Legislation" fellow
Congressman lad asked Reed: Have yof
read CoEs new book They say il is gooe
for men, WCa8cn aud children" With one o
his sarcastic, laughing looks On his face, Reet
draWlsd ggt in his nasal, YANKEES tWang: ." Yes
Its especially good for children" In safai
-
sad 30 more about II. a. Cox looked upon IL a
joke upon him. lie got even with Reed
however. by sending him a copy Of his ney
book. elegantly bound, aud on the fy-leaf wa
written Prom :. 5. Cox 20 his little fricut
Tommy l.ces, hoping that be will be beneGte.
by the pcFusai" Above this Inscription wa
pasted i4e newspaper clipping containing tb
remark that Reed had made about the Dook
saying Il was good for eli ildren." Reed passe
the book around fbc House, and had ioll
lasgb ~ Mr. Cox's Tepartee
marked trait IN Mr.. Cox'g character wa
his fondBess for his WIFE The two were a
ways together and Mrs. Cox did everytbiu
- help hcr husband 70 the high position I
public ile which he attained. She knew N
importance Of not having him disturbed b
household and other minor matters She ket
callers from him when be wished 10 be :.
clu6ed. and She was his cou6dant in ever,
thiHg that he did. He showed his appreciate
Oi her lu Tie dedication Of his various book
The most u which are dedicated 70 her. n
submitted hls various plans % her intuition
aud be was aided by her advice in carryiu
them out.
WHO WAS HE1
Last Monday morning the rnangled body
stranger Was found on the track Of the Il
q. Railroad near this city The head aud Ies
had been cut OF aud carried some disiauc
The remains were recognized by some persn,
ar those Of a weil-dTesseG man who had nee
IN the vicinity. He SAID his name was "
Beck OF II. Beach" that he was a meEb,
Of the GAR, and had served in the I'd n
~ ~. E4.#A L. II -