The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-06
BoURKE cocHRiy Nv WASHINGTON
A Social Lion ne Wen -. "a Gren. orusor-
HE LIT. In the EnnI MI

| HIS Lift. In the Capt. nj.
WASHINGTON. July 5--Bourkc Cockran's
great speech Mt the Chicago Convention has
attracted moro attention in Washington than
ANYTHING the eloquent Tammanv orator over
! did before. and has added to his al-rndy high
reputation among public mon. When Mr..
| COCHRAN was member OF tho Fitticth Con-
eress no did not attract much attention. prob
| ABLY because he spent little timo in Washing
| ton only coming here when his public duties
impcratively demanded his presence. He
made ono or two speeches, and whilo they
were oratoricaly good they were no better
than the performances OF many OF his COL
leagues. and tho smooth-tongucd Tnmmnny
| speaker PASSED out OF Washington public life
! known only as genial young Congressman
| WHO regarded his business affairs in New York
| us much more important than any possible
lame tEat no might gain in Congress.
| That estimate OF Mr.. Cochran was made I'm
hurriedly. as the Washington estimate Is gen
orally made UP OF public men who como and
60. not remaining long enough TO become
! Identified with life in Washington outside the
halis OF Congress. Mr.. Cockran's return TO
his scat in tho House has changed all this and
he must hereafter DO regarded as one OF tho
| worry Few really prominent. influential, and
Striking men In Washington public lifo. This
| reputation must hc given him not only be-
| cause In his speech to the Chicago Convention
II" proved himself to bc an orator Of COM
handing power and u politician of great sa-
Gacity. but because since he came to this city
Tor the second timc. In December last. no has
| quickly and surely made himself conspicu-
Gus force In the social and political life OF the
CAPITAL. There is hardly n public man in
Washington to-day whose promotion in this
direction has been SO rapid.
| WuShiDrtnp lie MI , o;t,
| mans brains will make place for him in the
social world. which is really tho influential
| side Of life at the capital. 1t has been said by
many more or less famous mon and women
| that man may easily reach distinction in
Washington by the possession OF one or all Of
three essential qualifications wealth. brains
and Wit. Mr.. Cochran Possesses all three, but
men who have enjoyed only one Of these de-
| sirable attributes havo made thcms Olives n
power In the official and social life OF the
capital. For instance there is no man in
washington who has n stronger influence
| upon matters Of legislation or Is more
eagerly sought for as u guest at exclusive
dinner PARTIES. or us an attraction at all
soca gatherings than tom" Reed. The
eN-Speaker has brains and wit. but no wealth
he does not possess the means to entertain
his friends. but lives in modest hotel lodgings.
whore he dimes but seldom. He is perhaps the
most conspicuous figure at any gathering
which he attends. either Of u political or social
character. When Speaker Of the House he
was the absolute dictator in matters Of lcgis-
lation. and now that ho is dethroned. the little
band OF Republicans that is left follow him
blindly, deyotedly. and cheerfuly. Heis popu-
lnr with men because OF brains and with
women because OF his wit His repartee is
often cutting because Of his tendency to sar-
q nlt mad lok
what the dwollers in Washington's vanity
fair particularly enjoy.
There are other men prominent socially and
influential politically who have nothing but
their wealth to commend them. In fact the
number Of public men in Washington who
possess great wealth and modest brain power
Is much larger than Of those in whom these
qualities are reversed. There are at least a
dozen Senators and us many members of the
House who daily and nightly minGle on terms
OF the closest intimacy with tho most famous
men and women who gather at the capital.
yet whose only recommendation is their
money. These en- reach distinction through
the medium OF dinner giving and elaborate en-
tertainments Of various sorts. and in this way
become powerful in the enactment OF legisla-
ton.
When however. man possesses the happy
combination Of wealth. brains. and wit, he be-
comes u hero in tho eyes Of the political and
social world OF Washington. and that is why
Bourke Cochran 1850 popular. Early last win
ter. upon his removal to Washington for the
opening OF the session. no purchased the spa
cious house which was the property Of Secor
Robson when Secretary OF the Navy. Tho
Robesons were shining lights in the polite So
ciety Of Washington during their residence
here. and among the most expensive en-
~. ~ IL l.x-ls
Jersey statesman. however. went out stimuli
taneously with his departure from public
office. and the big house that had been the
scene OF SO many costly entertainments re-
NAMED closed and unoccupied until purchased
BY Mr.. Cochran last winter. 1t is located on
the finest street In Washington. and at once
became again the centre OF hospitality.
During the last few years dinner giving has
become the most popular form OF entertain
ment among the moro exclusive members OF
Washington society. and Mr.. Cochran and his
wife at once became sought for at the tables OF
the best people Of tho city. Always bright and
entertaining. tho New York member is well
come guest at any house. During the past
social season he divided with cx-Spcaker Reed
the honors OF being the wittiest man and
most desired dinner companion among the
great host OF diners out in Washington.
1t is said that Mr.. Cochran early in his Con-
Gressional career discovered the fact that to |
become influential man must remain con-
In public life for several years. and |
that in accordance with this idea he is de- |
sirious OF holding his commission as a mem |
Der OF Congress as long as his constituents |
care to send him here. His purchase Of a |
house undoubtedly means that his winter |
home is to DO here. where his popularity is |
great and where he is daily adding to his wide |
circle OF acluaintances and friends. There |
arc few orators in Congress. not n dozen all |
told and Mr.. Cochran. BY his masterlul speech |
at Chicago. has made himself the peer. IL |
not tho leader OF them all. He has only |
ono possible rival, and that Is Sena-
tor Wolcott of Colorado. who made that most |
eloquent and moving appeal at Minneapolis. |
in behalf Of tho nomination, OF Blaine. Mr., |
Wocott's gifts AS AN orator arc Unborn. like |
Mr. Cockran's. Both arc young. handsome, |
vigorous mon. and both are apt to DO more |
heard Of in the iu;ure than they have been in |
the past. As social lion Mr.. Wolcott is as |
distinguished rs NJ. Cochran. The Colorado |
Senator made his reputation as nm orntora |
few years ago at tho dinner Of the New Eng |