The morning call., 1895-01-22
He Talks Interestingly Of Current
Affairs.
WAR COMPLICATIONS IN JAPAN.
His Opinion Of the Southern Pacific. the
LeXOW Committee and Senator
David B. Hill.

distinguished honor of being the best-paid
man in the profession, Colonel John a,
Cockerill of New York, is in the city on his
way to Japan, where he will remain for an
indefinite period as the resident CORE
spondent of the New York Herald.
Colonel Cockeriu arrived in this city
Sunday morning, and since that time he
has been constantly on the move, receiv-
ing the visits of old-time friends and facing
the present abominable weather in an at
tempt to inspect the city and surround
ings. In this he has been successful, how
ever, and his impressions of San Francisco,
formed under most unfavorable circum-
stances, is hattering.
~ see that you have city," said he last
night, (which is destined to be the me-
tropolis of the Pacific Coast. Topograph-
ically its situation is superb. Your mag
niicent harbor should give you an
immense maritime traffic in time and your
surroundings should conduce to your pros
perity."
Colonel Cockerill expressed surprise at
the semi-tropical vegetation which greeted
the eye at a season of the year when in the
East verdure is dead. Had the sun been
shining he might not have considered this
to be wondered at, but in this bleak
weather to find roses, geraniums and
Gala lilies in bloom was considered by him
to be remarkable.
81 am told that the Californians have a
grievance against the Southern Pacific
Railroad Company" remarked he, in re-
Spouse to a question. "From my obser-
vations here and elsewhere l am satisfied
that the complaints against the corpora
ton are well grounded. The Southern
Pacific is great power that may have its
good points, but these can never be con-
sidered when that power is exerted In
way detrimental to the interests of the
community. Any corporation which has
an anacondaGke grip upon communities,
such as the Southern Pacific has over
California, must necessarily arouse the
animosity and ill-feeling of the people.
San Francisco will never be what it should
be until the power of the Southern Pacific
is broken by the establishment of COM
peting lines of railway"
When asked to explain his purpose in
going to Japan Colonel Cockerill stated
that he was going there not so much to
represent the Herald as war correspondent,
as to keep an eye on events following the
close of the strife between China and Japan.
cit is Mr.. Benefits opinion" he re-
sumed, ''that the close of the war will be
followed by international Implications in
which England, Russia and France may
ny Ute ONillS W O1t Qdu WCdlItI DI6NdlI-
ing in China at the present time the war
has been practically suspended until
spring when the march to Picking will be
resumed. 1t is quite likely that this will
end the war, but the question of indemnity
will then have to be settled and trouble
will no doubt ensue. Russia desires a sea-
port IN or IN direct communication with
Korea, and it also wants the boundaries of
Mongolia established in more regular lines.
Iyrar fn chou hot
between Russia and England has been
formed, and as a result complications of
various kinds In the settlement of war
claims will arise''
'What do you think of the work of the
Lexow committee in New York?' was
asked.
81 thought that question would come"
remarked Colonel Cockerill, laughingly.
9 1t has been asked me in every city | Wis
tied since leaving New York. / stayed a
few days with Buffalo Bill at North Platte,
and almost the first question he asked me
was: What do you think of that Lexow
committee, anyhow, colonel?'
81 will tell you as have told every one
else that in my Judgment the Lexow COM
mittee has done more in few months to
purify New York politics than anything
else could have done in century The
work of the committee was ably managed
in Spain during the dark days of the In
QUESTION, would have been the leading
spirit in the fanatical persecution of the
heretics. He is a stern, unrelenting, up
right man. rather hard, but thoroughly
honest. He is the enemy of corruption
and he exerted every effort to bring it to
light. He succeeded admirably, and he
was rewarded with one of the best Judge
ships in the State"
Regarding the work of Rev. DR.. Park
hurst, Colonel CockeriL expressed himself
in terms of highest praise
'tIt was principally due to DR.. Park
bursts efforts" said he, "that the Lexow
proved SO successful in its work |
He inspired men to testify who would
never have dreamed of doing so but for the
part he took In the affair. The purifica-
ton accomplished by the committee will
do New York incalculable good.
The effect OF the expose upon Tammany
was magical. In the days of their pleni-
bude of power Tammany adherents walked
the streets defiantly with cigars pointing
upward and hats worn on one side. Now
their manner is one of detection, their
cigars droop downward and their hats are
worn in more humble manner.
"Tammany's power is broken" re-
marked the colonel. ''Their old-time |
haunts are deserted, and if you allude to |
any one as being an ex-Tammanyite he |
will regard it as an insult. ! do not be-
ieve it will ever be heard from, politically, |
again."
Colonel Cockerill was induced to state
what the people of New York, or rather the |
Democracy OF that State, thought of Sem |
ator David B. Hill. In his Judgment that |
statesman is a political corpse.
"When Hill opposed Cleveland" said |
,he colonel, Everybody admired him for |
MS independence, although the Democracy |
rs body disagreed with the stand he was |
,aking. Despite this, however, he was held |
n high esteem until the fatal day. when he
,alled upon President Cleveland at the |
White House and patched up reconcile
alton. That was too much for the Democ-
,acy of New York, and his reputation re-
suited. / believe Senator Hill will be re-
ired when his term expires, although he
Ices not lack friends, who will do their ut
most to see that he succeeds himself in the
Senate. Yes, Hill is a political corpse"
Colonel Cockerill win leave for Japan
L