Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-08
MAN MADE BY OCCASION
Critical Study Of Bourke Cochran, His Ora.
torv and His Principles,
HIS TRIBUTE TO A POLITICAL FOE
spurts on the Ladder of Fame occa-
stoned by Great Opportunities
Recollections of His speech
in Omaha.

NCOpyIlbiti 1873, Dy ,, MCJluTe COZ
This is not an interview with Bourke Cock
ran. 1t is statement of what he stands
for and what he is based on talks with him
and those who know him best-political
friends and political opponents. The man
seems to be without personal enemies.
He has few intimates His best friends,
he told me, are ex-Speaker Thomas Bracket
Reed and General Lloyd Bryce. There is
something in what follows of what was said
by Mr.. Reed, by General Bryce, by members
OF Tammany hail. Some of the latter feel
that he has deserted the organization and
are likely to say harsh things in consequence,
but all Of them find something to commend
dn the mans character as we'll. 1t is
tribute to the man to admit that all his
friends see points in him for criticism and
that all his opponents find points In him for
praise.
Bourke Cochran is man whose forty-five
years have filed his face with those burrows
which write the story of strong characteris-
tics. Physically he Is magnificent. Tall,
broad -shouldered and with a splendid chest,
his looks on public platform help his won
derful oratory to sway his audiences. His
body is the body Of an athlete and in each
of dts motions 1t shows the trained, strong
man, just as in each of his words he shows
the trained speaker. He dresses carefully
but simply. Mentally he is both a giant
In strength and gymnast in quickness. His
mind is thoroughly stored with information
on almost every topic under the sun; he is a
great reader; his faculty for earnest and
eloquent speech is recognized to be greater
than that of any other man of this time
The nation has produced few greater orators;
He Is always intensely wrapped up in what
ever he undertakes and is capable of doing
easily what to almost any other an would
require prodigious effort; his mind is ever
active; he is always discussing to himself
all kinds of problems from every point Of
view. and this is what makes him in a
measure ready for all occasions.
His Career.
1t is his marvellous eloquence and his
impressive manner Of handling his body
on a platform which have made him i'm
portant but il he had not gained promi-
nence in that way his keenly analytical
mind would have carried him to success
in any event. He is essentially fair and
always honest. He does not care for office,
although he has served in congress and
may very likely serve again. He is a rich
man and has made his money himself. AS
a lawyer he is in great demand and some
of the largest fees on record have been
paid to him. He was born in the County
Gated largely in France. He came to Amer
lea in 1871 and began by teaching French
and Latin. AS he taught he studied law
and for time after his admission to the
bar practiced his profession in Westchestel
county. He began to make reputation in
New York City with the first word he ut
tered in arguing his first case. 1t moi
an important one, but the eloquence of the
advocate set the town talking. He has
been connected with many famous cases ir
the courts, among them the Jacob SHARP
Doodle alderman affair and the defense Of
Kemmler the murderer, who was the frs
man to be killed legally by electricity. Ht
entered politics in 1881 and went to con
gress in 1886. His law practice became 81
great that 1t was difficult for him to at
tend to his congressional duties and h
wanted to resign, but was persuaded no
to. After that he decided never to accep
a political Office again, but returned to con
sress in 1891 in order to prevent split IL
Tammany hail. of which he was then on
of the most prominent members. Indeed
it is said that it was largely owing to tn
advice and assistance of Cochran that Rich
ard Croker achieved his power.
Rises to All Occasions.
1T is the mans great ability to rise t
whatever occasion confronts him that is hi
most marked and valuable characteristic
exSpeaker Reed said to Gne.
The two occasions which he rose to mos
magnifcently were the Chicago convention
in 1884 and 1892. At the latter one he op
posed the nomination of Grover Clevelan
in speech Of thrilling power. Althoug
he did not convince the convention tina
Cleveland was the wrong man to nominal
he won tremendous personal triumph. l
his recent argument t. the trust conferenc
in Chicago he achieved another oratorics
victory. He is democrat first. last an
all the time. yet his best friends are re
publicans.
Mr.. Bryan has had no such opponent a
Bourke Cochran. Circumstances are eve
putting the two men in opposition. But MI
Bryan has never questioned Mr.. Cochran
complete integrity OF purpose. Earnestly
continually and ably, Mr.. Cochran has op
posed Mr.. Bryan. yet the other day he sal
to me, when 1 asked him his opinion of tn