Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-09-20
= Sketch OF His Career

Samuel Sullivan Cox, better known cs
Sunset" Cox, was born in GAINESVILLE, Ohio,
September 30, 1924 His father Ezekiel Tay-
lor Cox, was leading politician of Ohio and
a member of the State Senate in 1928. The
mother of S. S. Cox was a daughter of
Samuel Sullivan who was Treasurer of
Ohio in 1873 and had high reputation for
probity.
Mr.. Cox attended the Ohio University at
Athens but subsequently became a student
of Brown University, Rhode Island, where
he graduated with honor in the class of 1916.
He adopted the profession of law, and after
being admitted practiSed many years success
fully He then made a trip to Europe and
on his return published a very readable and
Buckeye Abroad"
In 1853 Mr.. Cox became owner and editor
Of the Columbus Ohio Statesman, the
Democratic organ of the State. In 1856
President Pierce rendered Mr.. Cox the posi-
ton of Secretary of Legation to England,
but he was not able to accept the honor.
subsequently, however, he accepted the sec
retaIyship Of the Legation to Peru. On his
resignation AID return to Ohio Mr.. Cox was
elected from the Columbus district to Con-
greSs, his Congressional term commencing
on the same day as Buchanan's Presidential
term He was thrice reelected serving con-
tinuOusly from 1857 to 1865, or throughout
the memorable years Of the administrations
Of James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln.
In 1868, on the assembling of the Thirty
eight Congress, Mr.. Cox was the caucus
nominee of the Democrats for Speaker
against Mr.. Colfax.
Upon the expiration of the Thirty-eighth
Congress in 1865, Mr.. Cox removed to the
city Of New York, where he afterward re
sided. He published that year, under the til
tie of Eight Years in Congress" book of
his experiences and observations while q
member of she House. In 1863 Mr.. Cox was
again put into the field for Congress, this
time by the Democracy of his adopted home,
and was elected. Before the assembling of
Congress he again visited the Old World,
touring through Spain and other parts of
Southern Europe and Northern Africa On
his h0meward trip he tarried long enough in
England to write interesting book of his
travels, which he published in London. 1t
was entitled "a Search for Winter Sun
beams" and has had an extensive circulation
in this country.
In 1870 Mr.. Cox was reelected, over Hor-
ace Greeley, who was the Republican candi-
date In 1872 he received the nomination
from the Democratic State Convention for
COngressman-at-large, and led the balance
of the Democratic State ticket. The major
Ity against Mr.. Cox was Is, 900 less than the
majorities against Greeley for President and
Herman for Governor. The death of Con
gresham James Brooks occurring the follow
ing spring. Mr.. Cox was nominated and
elected to fill the vacancy. He has been
again and again elected; once with only forty
one votes against him.
Mr. Cox was candidate for Speaker to fill
the term left vacant by the death of Mr.
Kerr. He was subsequently beaten in caucus
by Mr.. Randall, though coming within a
dozen votes of success.
On the 18th of March, 1885, President
Cleveland nominated Mr. Cox to succeed
General Lew Wallace as Minister to Turkey
This post he resigned and was elected to the
Forty ninth Congress to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Joseph Pulitzer,
and was reelected to the Fiftieth Congress-
His best known book, why We
Laugh" is an analytical de-
scription of American humor In the
summer of 1882 Mr.. Cox visited Sweden, Nor
way, Russia, Turkey and Greece. The vol
ume describing this trip he called "Arctic
Sunbeams or From Broadway to the Bos-
phorus by Way of the North Cape" In
May, 1885, he published semi historical and
semi-biographical work entitled Three De
cades Of Federal Legislation"
he received the name of Sunset soon af-
ter he had become editor of the Ohio (Colum-
bus Statesman, thirty-two years ago. He
wrote for his paper highly sophomosical ac-
count of fine sunset he had witnessed which
was so rudely commented upon and ridiculed
that he was dubbed Sunset Cox, aud he never
got rid of the soubriquet, though very few per
sons who use it nave any idea OF its origin.