Arizona republican., 1903-08-13
WHY THEY LIKE CoCKRELL.
Plain Ways of the Senior United States
Senator From Missouri.

Il reckon said Il member of the Mis-
siouri Society of New York, that if
Missouri elected the president of the
United States. the next occupant of the
White House. in 1905, would be General
Francis Marion Cockrell, senior United
States senator from Missouri.
Eastern democrats have always
overlooked Missouri. because it has
been so overwhelmingly democratic
that 1t would cash in. no matter who
was nominated. General Cockrell. how
ever. has Il heap OF strength outside OF
his own state, and that's what the par
ty wants.
"Cockrell is the sort of man a whole
lot of people like. He comes from
mighty fine stock, but he never talks
about it.
went to the Waldorf Astoria, would
throw the menu on the floor and say
to the waiter. Fetch me some corn
pone bread and buttermilk, and some
bacon and green's. and when it 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
pocket. =ank out jack-knife and slice
off enough OF the twist to fill a cob pipe,
and he would smoke light where he sat.
Ill bet if he was to pull off his boots
you'd find that he wore yarn socks.
homemade at that.
IF 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 eoin'
at, to use a Missouri phrase, he would
tie his nag to the gatepost, 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
long, And then ask about every men,
her of the family. calling each by the
first name, and then when he took a
chair he would ask, 'How's old Aunty
Samanthy Harrington comm on since
she got over the measles? He would
know just when she had it.
And when he would walk down the
street of any town he would sit down
on a dry goods box and take out his
jack knife, cut off a silver from the
corner of the box and white it away,
and then yank off another, and so 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 adm heels when
he sings regardless of what the choir
is doing. He used to be a whirlwind t
camp meetings in old Missoury.
II haven't seen Frank for few years
back, but when 1 saw him last he was
4 h. ,
out after a rain, or in the rain, he
stuck his trousers in the legs of his
boots. in the good old fashioned way.
IF you think from what l have been
saying that General Cockrell is brus-
que. uncouth or awkward, you don't
follow me. He is gallant, chivalrous
and sympathetic. No woman ever APP
pealed in vain to him. He would risk
his life to 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 i'll him that Stonewall
Jackson had.
IF he was president every old-time
tradition of ante bellum times would
be restored. He would never forget
the dignity of his position. He would
400, but they would know a whole lot
when their visit was over. If he was
president and you were at the White
House in a rainstorm he would ask you
to stay all night.
81 don't say he is a statesman of the
Calhoun, Benton or Evarts or Blaine
tyne But he is man nearer like Lin
coin than any one else l know of. Lin
coin had some characteristics which nc
one ever had, and which few ever will
have.
"Cockrell has Lincoln's homely vir-
tues and great humanity. Cockrell has
none of the humor which used to wake
up in Lincoln now and then. but he has
Lincolns simplicity and sympathy. Al
these things appeal to people, and if the
democratic party would get up out OF
the grass and quit knocking this one or
that one. and rally around Frank Cock
rel there would be one of the liveliest