The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-17
CROKER AND COCHRAN.
Tammany's Ex-Leader and the Silver
TOngued Congressman.
Especial Correspondence

4OnkueO
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, Jan. 1O.-The current
differences between Richard Croker,
late head of Tammany Hall, and Hon.
Bourke Cochran, member of congress
from one of the New York districts,
revive the somewhat waning interest
in both these gentlemen.
Mr.. CockSn may very properly be
spoken of as one of the best educated,
most cultivated members of Tammany
Hall. Besides he has always enjoyed
certain social considerations not extend
ed to other members of the organization,
and there is no doubt that this had some
thing to do with the beginning of the
quarrel between him and Mr.. Croker
some two or three years ago. When
Croker began to get rich, his wife ex-
hibited social aspirations. 1t was
thought that these might be gratifed,
in some degree at least, by the co-opera-
ton Of Mr.. Cochran, but he did not CO.
operate. and later, when the New York
newspapers ridiculed Mrs. Croker and
her aspirations her husband charged
Cochran with inspiring it,
Although Mr.. Cookers origin was
rather obscure Mr.. Cockran's begin
nings were also on a low level, at least
from the money standpoint. When Cock
ran came to America, he taught school
for a time, but atterward studied law
and opered an Office on Broadway He
was soon seen to be man of more than
usual force and attachments, and his
practice might have speedily grown to
very satisfactory proportions had he
been willing to devote his whole atten-
ton to it. As it was, he gave much at
tentiOn to "gOod company, and his
progress was slow for several years. One
day friend spoke to Cochran with great
! seriousness as to the manner in which
| he was throwing away his chances. As
/ the story goes, the two were standing
before bar and were about to take a
drink that Cochran had Just ordered.
eff I were you, Bourke, " said the
friend. 81 would throw that liquor
away and never drink any more. -
Cochran held the glass before him a
moment, as if in doubt, and then threw
the whisky upon the floor. From that
date his practice increased steadily I'M
til, when he was elected to congress in
1891, his income from his profession
was believed to be at least $50, 900 a
year and perhaps more. He has remain
ed total abstainer to this day.
Contrary to the general belief, Mr.
Croker was not born a Catholic. His
family came from the north of Ireland
and in religion were Presbyterians
Croker's earliest occupation after reach
ing manhood was that Of machinist,
and he was employed in the repair shops
of the New Y ork Central Railroad COM
pany. 1t was during that period of his
life that be is reported to have engaged
in all occasional prize fight by way of
variety The first public Office to which
he was elected was that of alderman.
He did not expect to win, though he
worked very hard for the party ticket.
On the morning after the election he
slept late, and when his friends awak-
ened him and told him that he had Won
he refused to believe them and went
back to bed. A little later his friends
awoke him for the second time, saying
there was a man On the street who had
called him liar. Then Croker got up,
went out, found the man and thrashed
him we'll After that task was perform
ed his friends succeeded in convincing
him of his election.
CHARLES APPLEBzE.