The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
WHY THEY LIKE COCKRELL.
Plain Ways OF the Senior United States
Senator From Missouri.

Il reckon" said a member of the Mis-
souri, Society OF New York. that il Missouri
elected the President Of the United States,
the next occupant of the White House.
in 1905, would be Gen. Francis Marion
Cockrell, senior United States Senator
from Missouri
Eastern Democrats have always over
looked Missouri, be cause II has been 40
overwhelmingly Democratic that il would
cash in, no matter who was nominated.
Gen. Cockrell however, has a heap Of
strength outside of his own State, and
that's what the party wants.
"Cockrell is the sort Of man whole lot
OF people like. He comes from mighty
fine stock, but he never talks about it.
-He is the sort Of man who, if he went to
the Waldorf Astoria, would throw the
menu on the floor and say to the waiter:
Fetch me some corn-pone bread and butter
milk, and some bacon and green's, and when
il got down toward the bottom Of the bill
he would order a whole pie and some New
Orleans molasses.
And when he finished he would pull a
twist of long green tobacco out Of his pocket,
vank out jack-knife and slice OF enough
of the twist to fill a cob pipe, and he would
smoke right where he sat. III bet il he was
to pull off his boots you d find that he wore
yarn socks, home at that.
III he was riding out in the country, he
would never think Of following the road
He would Just let down a rail fence and go
across the field.
"When he got to where he was goin' at =,
to use Missouriphrase, he would tie his nag
to the gate post, go up to the door of the
house and kick on the door, and when the
door was opened he would extend his big
hand and say 'Howdy How are you all
getting 'longP And then ask about every
member of the family, calling each by the
arst name, and then when no took chair
he would ask, 'How's old Aunty Samanthy
Harrington comm on since she got over
the measlesy He would know just when
she had 1t.
And when he would walk down the
! street Of any town he would sit down on
| n dry goods box and take out his jack
knife cut off a silver from the corner OF
the box and whittle it away, and then yank
! off another, and 80 on until there wouldn't
be enough OF the box left to send by mail
and when he goes to church he just
| teeters on his toes and heels when he sings
regardless OF what the choir ia doing.
He used to be whirlwind at camp.meetings
in old Missoury.
Il haven't seen Frank for q few years
back, but when saw him last he was still
wearing boots, and when he went out after
a rain, or in the rain he stuck his trousers
In the legs OF his boots, in the good old
fashioned way.
aIf you think from what 1 have been
saying that Gen. Cockrell 10 brusque,
uncouth OF awkward, you don't follow me.
He ia gallant, chivalrous and sympa-
thetic. No woman ever appealed In vain
to him. He would risk his life 10 please
a child.
when he was In the Southern army
he was not only splendid fighter, but
tender nurse. He had the sort Of re-
ligious streak In him that Stonewall Jack
son had.
III he was President every old-time ira
dition OF ants-bellum times would be re-
stored. He would never forget the dignity
the ideas of any of your 400, but they would
know q whole lot when their visit was
over II he was President and you were
at the White House in n rainstorm he
would ask you to stay all night.
II don't say he is q statesman Of the
Calhoun, Benton or EvartS or Blaine type
But he Ia a man nearer like Linooln than
characteristics which no one ever had,
and which few ever will have.
"Cookrell has Lincoln's homely virtues
and great humanity. Cockrell has none Of
the humor which used to wake up in Lincoln
now and then. but he has Iilooln's sim
plicity and sympathy All these things
appeal to people, and II the Democratic
quit knocking this one or that one. and
rally around Frank Cockrell, there would
DO one OF the dveliest campaigns In 1904
you ever heard Of