The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-31
CROKER AND COCHRAN.
The Latter Was a Political Creation Of
the Former, and Is a Failure.

Washington Special to Chicago Record.
The peremptory manner in which Richard
Croker, the ex-boss of Tammany Hall,
calls down Representative Bourke Cochran,
OF New York, occasions no surprise here
Such an incident has been expected for a
long time. and the only wonder is that it
has not occurred before. 1t Is understood
that AIR. Croker is going abroad with his
family for number of years. and it has
been known that he wanted to settle ac-
counts with Cochran before his departure.
Croker is the political creator of Cochran
and was his patron until the recent sena-
torial election in New York, when the lat
ter set UP for himself and declined to serve
under orders any longer Isidor Raynor the
eloquent young man from Baltimore, dis
solved similar relations with Senator Cor
man in similar manner about the same
time.
Although he possesses remarkable ex-
ecutive ability and magnetic power over
men, Richard Croker is tongue-tied He
cannot make speech any more than he
can fly and when he succeeded John Kelly
as grand sachem of Tammany Hall it be-
came necessary for him TO have a fluent
talker by his side who could put his ideas
into forcible language. He selected a young
Irish lawyer who had come down from
Westchester county and opened an Office
in New York, where he was struggling to
obtain foothold. 1t was Cochran, who
had emigrated from Ireland a few years
road while he was trying to get an educa-
ton, and had married his schoQ1teacher
She was a woman of strong character and
intellect, and had inspired the young hus-
band with an ambition to be somebody
and seek for fame. Young Cochran par
ticipated in a political campaign while he
was studying law won a reputation by his
wild Irish eloquence and attracted the ad-
miration Of the Tammany boss. So Croker
took him UP, arranged an advantageous
that he had plenty of business and good
fees. Wherever he went he took Cochran
with him as his talking partner, and when
ever Cochran spoke in conventions or else
where ii was always understood that he
was presenting the case for his patron,
without any personal relation to it himself
Everybody will remember the remarkable
speech. he made against the nomination of
Cleveland at the late Democratic conven-
ton at Chicago. 1t was the voice of Cock
ran. but the words Of Croker.
This relationship continued until January
the Democrats to elect a United States SEN
ator in the place of Frank Hiscock. Cock
ran had served in the House Of Representa-
tives, where his oratorical powers and rep
utation as the spokesman for the Tammanv
society had given him an influential posi-
ton. but he wanted to go to the Senate, and
other pans. Edward Murphy, chairman of
the Democratic State committee of New
York for seven or eight years demanded the
honor as reward for his services and IL
was granted him. Cochran. being under forty
wears ODD was told that he was too yo1n-
and must wait
But the young orator who had been nattod
and admired until his head was turned. he
came mutinous and endeavored to upset the
plans of the ring. He did not get a vote in
the caucus. but instead Of taking his defeat
good-naturedly>> and abiding his time. he
made sarcastic af1d-ugly remarks. refused 70
attend the meetings OF the Tammany com
rnittee, sought new associations and Ia St
year. when Mr.. Croker came over here 70
give instructions TO the Tammany deleea
ton in Congress, Mr.. Cochran refused To
attend the conference that was called a :
Senator Murphy's house and sent word +o
Mr.. Croker that he was not wearing his
collar any more 1t is said also that when
Mr.. Croker attempted TO demonstrate with
him for his folly and warn him that his
political future depended upon his Iovaltv
TO Tammany Mr.. Cochran snapped his fin
gers in the face OF the great boss I'm q CON
tenrptuous manner, and, turning upon his
heel. walked or without saving good morn
ing.
That ended Mr.. Cocl<ran's career as a Con-
gresham. Tammany refused to renominafe
him, and he removed 10 Long island and
took up residence there with the irlfention-
X is believed, OF seeking a nomination 10
the next Congress as a straight Democrat.
outside the jurisdiction of the Tamnlany
Hall society.
Mr.. Cochran has been failure and dis
appointment In Congress. He has made some
brilliant speeches. but has done nothing else
In the COMMITTEES room he has been abso-
lutely useless He has not introduced any
legislation. and, as one of his colleagues was
renarking the other day, has not advanced
or advocated q single Idea since he entered
the House. All OF his speeches have been In
the negative. IN opposition 20 eometh1nG,