Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-02-20

nsrs. his eoansfipn sense, his fine eyes and
commanding prcselice, AM sure Secre-
tary Gresham viii please the diplomats.
though it doesn't much matter whether
he does or not. And Mrs. Gresham, one
OF the finest types Of American woman
hood, with much sympathy and little
pretense, the soul Of simplicity and sin
eerity, ike her husband. will make a
hostess of which the new administration
will be proud. 1t is rather odd coin
cidence that Mrs. Gresham and Mrs.
Joirn W. Foster, wife of the present Sec
retary of state, were schoolgirls together
and have been near friends ever since
As have already said. politics makes
strange bedfellows- Now, there is
Bourke Cochran, the gifted orator Of
Tammany Hall. Was there ever a finer
Grafton in the annals Of our political
campaigns than that which Mr. Cochran
summer: Ii was Grover Cleveland whom
he attacked, played, tortured, diagnosed
and finally vivisected in style that be-
spoke the master hand he is, Yet this
same Bourke Cochran is likely TO be the
parliamentary leader of the next house
Of representatives, and it is with Mr..
CleyelaId's consent, almost at his insti-
CATION. that the Tammany orator is to
be thus promoted.
Tis queer. but true. that not only has
Cleveland forgiven Cochran for the Chi
cago phiippic, but likes him, and true,
moreover, that so far from being eager
to destroy the monster Cleveland Mr.
Cochran is very fond of the president
elect and thinks him one of the finest
and greatest men he ever met
Because Bourke Cochran is the spokes-
man of Tammany Hall people who do
not know him think he must necessarily
be a big, coarse, low grained fellow, a
frequenter of bars and an associate of
tougN- Far from it. Mr.. Cochran is
big. and that is the only part of the in
dictment which stands. He is student
who spends nearly all his spare time in
his library. which is one of the best pri-
vate libraries in Washington. He is IA
lover of art, and his home is full Of choice
articles Of virtu. He is fond Of society
and moves in the best circles, being
favorite at teas and dinners.
Mr.. Cochran is making craftsmanship
his profession. He is studying govern
ments and history, and all that sort of
thing. He has dedicated his magnificent
abilities to the public service. He aims
to excel | propose that We keep an eve
on this big. silver tongued lrishman.
Next to Tom Reed he is now the best de-
batter in congress. He will be parha-
mentary leader of the next house in all
probability. He will he senator from
New York. But he will never be presi-
dent.
Speaking of Tom Reed reminds me of
still another case of queer political bed
fellowship. 1t is remarkable thing that
during the last few months Reed has been
drifting away from his own side Of the
house and taking up more and more with
Democrats. Many of the Democrats who
a couple of years ago were howling at
him and talking of pulling him out Of
the speakers chair are now numbered
among his best friends and warmest ad-
mirers.
Reed and Cochran are great cronies,
md scores of other Democrats are dis
covering that the ex-speaker is one of the
finest fellows in Christendom. More
over. Reed and one-haH the Democratic
members We're on the same side i'll the
silver fight last week. 1t is an open Sc
Cret that Mr.. Burrows of Michigan, an
other able debater, is aspiring to wrest
the leadership from Mr.. Reed. with
view t" making himself speaker should
the Republicans again control the house.
WALTER WELLMAN.