The San Francisco call., 1908-03-15


ed Fremont campaign he edited the
most important paper at the capital,
the Sacramento Times the only extant
file of which is now in the library OF
the University of California.
"Fremont was not statesman is
the opinion of Cole today. He was a
strong factor, but his popularity was
based on his military record in the
early days in California.
When Leland Stanford ran for state
treasurer. prior to the formation OF the
railroad, he was seconded by Cole, and
again when he made his successful
fight for the governorship.
On a ticket at large Cole was sent
to the house of representatives in 1863,
the only republican delegate from the
Pacific coast. During that term he
served on the committee on postoffices
and postroads on which Blaine was his
colleague, and it was then that the
money order system was adopted, as
well as other improvements in the
service.
Three years later Cole became a
United States senator. During two of
the three congresses he was chairman
of the committee ION appropriations, in
close touch with all the figures of the
reconstruction era. and with his hand
ever on the financial pulse of the coun-
try. Never before or since in the
history. of the United States was the
position he then filed more trying.
His length of service in that capacity
is sufficient tribute to his ability.
In addition to the duties of that body.
he was member of the committee on
public buildings, and it was during his
service that many edifices that have
become historical were constructed.
The New York and St Louis postoffices
and the state, navy and interior build
ings at Washington are among the
best known. AS he, was at the time
retained on the postoffice committee
he was enabled to facilitate many i'm
provements.
The plans for greater Washington
were at that time brought to a con-
summation. The old city was remod-
eled, was made anew. Although not
officially connected with the movement,
it was largely through his cooperation
and influence that the capital of the
United States is what it is today. His
committee appointments placed him in
position of unusual opportunity to
support the plan.
While a representative, toward the
end of the civil war, Cole was the
only member of congress to be in
Washington when General Early made
his famous raid. He describes graphic
dlly the -nelp1eSS SITUATION Oh tie city
with defensive force of but few
hundred undrilled civilians, who bluffed
the attackers into thinking that the
defenses were strong enough to hold II
against an army
But even more tense than this is his
story of the long winter during which
he led In the passage of % amendments
to the imperfect bill that had been
prepared granting the railroad hackers
the privileges they declared necessary
Inethe end the act was as the capital
lists desired. It was during this winter
that Senator Cole disposed of his stock
Thaddeus Stevens was chairman OF
the committee. Every discussion that
arose he referred to Cole, who knew
the situation perfectly, having crossed
the plains several times.
From one end OF the land to the
other there went up cry to give the
project every aid. I'VE need and want
transcontinental line" was the clam
or of the people. Any attempt to check
the plan, If such a check had beer
necessary, would have been foolhardy
But the men on the committee realized
the value of the railroad.
Cole, most important member OF the
body that dealt its fate to the Contra
Pacific, secured the authorization Of
flrst mortgage bonds to take precedenct
over the government claims; brough
about the doubling of the subsidy
increased the land grants to twice theil
original size