The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-07-25
Boss Cox Slated For
United States Senate

| N6HllOuS ne lut
CT keeping his word. This meant that
when his delegation was bought it
| stayed bought.
| About 1884 Cox wanted an appoint
ment in the internal revenue depart
ment which the collector, Clark b.
! Montgomery was willing to give him.
| 1t was found that as a saloonkeeper he
was ineligible. Subsequently he dis
posed of the saloon to Lewis Kraft, the
gambling king of Cincinnati and his
most intimate friend.
Cox was candidate for county clerk
in 1888 and was the only Republican
defeated.
Cox then effected a combination with
the Moerlein brewery faction, which
dominated politics in Cincinnati until
| 1891 In the meantime Gov. Foraker
had made him oil inspector for south
! ern Ohio.
! In 1891 Cox helped the gas company
defeat natural gas franchise offered
in council by his friend and benefactor,
! George Moerlein.
! He broke with Moerlein and defeated
him in the convention through For
akers aid in giving him control of the
administrative board of the city.
The new Cox machine was founded
upon "spoils." Those who could go to
conventions were appointed to jobs.
Cox controlled the conventions almost
from the, start. He established BIZ
/ partisanship. The administrative board
consisted of two Democrats and two
Republicans appointed by mayor
WHO were controlled by Cox. The re-
suit was four men controlled by Cox
! and the whipsawing of the Democratic
organization. Democrats were appoint
ed to Office with the understanding that
they support Cox without regard to
/ party.
COX GREW IN WEALTH.
In the meantime Cox grew in wealth.
He bought real estate and dabbled in
the stock market. He made the ac-
quaintance of men who wanted priyi-
leges and could give him tips.
| He moved first to a fiat over a sa-
loon; later into a fiat building belong
ing to himself.
After his rule became secure Cox
thirsted for social triumphs. He built
a handsome stone mansion in aristo-
cratic Clifton and sat down to await
calls of his heightened neighbors. They
did not come. He formed an exclusive
set, consisting of his political associ-
ates and those who dealt with the city
! through public service corporations or
| contracts.
Cox double-crossed the first reform
movement under his regime by an ar
rangement with Collector of Customs
! Joe Bowling which led to the placing
| of Democratic ticket in the field.
Bowling was the leader of the Dayton, /
| Ohio, Democrats. His private secre-
tary was retained in the office under
Republican rule and has just been ap-
pointed collector of customs at Cincin-
natl, having recently declared himself
a Republican.
MACHINE OVERTHROW.
| In 1897 Cox's machine was over
| thrown. One of his henchmen was
found to have been looting the treasury
| for years. Cox went on his bond and
| 100000.
| The next fall he issued card with
drawing from politics. In his place
| Senator Hanna and President McKin-
| ley established a committee of twelve.
This was to help carry the legisla-
ture and continue Hanna in the senate.
| Their candidates were notified that
| Cox would make all appointments of
deputies in their Offices One man re-
fused to agree, and Cox broke the slate
of the committee, electing one of his
personal friends.
He was out of power in the city, but
retained his grip on the county until
| 1900, when he was returned to power
| by the election of a Republican city
| ticket
Up to this time Cox had no business
save politics, from the time he left the
saloon, except for a time when he was
a member of furniture factory firm.
Many saloonkeepers were notified that
| they must buy new fixtures from this
| firm or the midnight closing law would
! be enforced Those who refused learned
that the order was in earnest and that
the police understood it.
Recently Cox became a bank presi-
dent through his connection with the
Miami & Erie canal grab. Cox was
given stock in that for his influence
with state officials.
The Cleveland interests in the canal
were also interested in the c., d. G. T.
| Traction Co. and the Cincinnati Trust
Co. They unloaded in such way that
Cox was Obliged to get control Of the
bank. He then had himself made its
president He was also made president
of the c., d. & T. Co.
COX'S BANK CARRIES CITY FUNDS.
Up to Cox's, taking over the bank,
the city deposits had never been placed