The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-31

ORlO hlCO wiz SOON bhNS
- another American governor.
Colonel George r. Cotton. He
will succeed Governor Regis
II. Post. recently resigned on account
OF the III health OF Mrs. Post. Nov. l.
Colonel Colton's appointment was
made by the president while me latter
va at Beverly. Mass and is the presi-
dents first Porto Rican selection.
The appointee IS Of New England
parentage. but ne is credited 10 the
District Of Columbia. He was bust
ness man al the national capital when
he was selected by President Roose-
Welt for the Office Of chief collector OF
Santo Domingo customs. In that ca
pacity he familiarized himself with
conditions. and this incidentally led
him 20 know something OF conditions
IN Porto Rico. He understands and
speaks Spanish and knows the char
acter OF the people whose affairs he Is
shortly 10 administer One OF the
things which specially commended
Colonel Cotton 70 the president was
his revision OF the cumbersome Span
ish regulations IN regard TO port af-
fairs at the time when Mr. Taft was
governor OF the Philippines
When matters in Santo Domingo were
properly adjusted and running smooth
ly Colonel Cotton WAS sent 70 the Phil
ippines on the recommendation OF Sec
rotary Taft as insular collector. He
gave general supervision 10 the fiscal
affairs % the islands and drafted the
Philippine tariff bin which was passed
by the senate and approved on the
same day as the Payne bill. He Is also
responsible for the government in
spection and guaranteeing OF Filipino
cigars
Colonel Cotton has had cn interesting
ms well as a busy life After leaving
college ne went 20 Texas and remained
there for awhile. looking over the
state and taking a vacation at the
same time He acquired a fondness
for western life. and a part OF his va
cation money went for the purchase OF
a cowboys outfit and he Joined a
drive" OF cattle bound for New Mexi-
co and remained in the southwest for
four years He returned to his home
IN the east. but his stay was brief He
went out 10 Nebraska and engaged in
banking He was manager Of the con-
Germ that he organized and remained
with II for a dozen years While thus
engaged he Joined the First Nebraska
regiment. composed OF the most ener-
getic young men in the state. While
Dewey was waiting for troops to take
possession Of Manila the First Ne
brasSa Responded az q was the first to
arrive on the scene. In one OF the at
tacks on the troops Colonel Cotton led
his regiment In person. and. although
the enemy outnumbered the Nebras-
ksns three 20 one. the Spaniards were
driven back with loss OF 600
Colonel Cotton is the grandson OF
Chouncey S Cotton. a builder or the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy rail-
road. The railroad builder was noted
for his firmness and strong character
istics. and the grandson resembles him
in these traits.
Colonel Cotton was hona from Oh.
Philippines on leave OF absence wher
he was rendered the appointment o,
governor OF Porto Rico by President
Taft The president has great con.
adence In Colonel Cotton and ak.
pressed the opinion that ne had tn,
necessary qualifications for governing
the people AND convincing them Of an
earnest desire for their welfare Whpl
Colonel Cotton was IN Saato Dominr,
ne gained the confidence Of PTscsden'
XOrnlee and his cabinet