Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-01-07

mas Made Good In Uncle Sans Serv-
ice In the Philippines and In santo
Domingo--Fought Against the Fill.
pinos--Author of New Tariff For Our
Island Possessions.
Colonel George r. Cotton, who recent.
~ arrived in San Juan to assume the
duties of governor of Porto Rico. is ex.
pected as one of the special features of
his mission to convince the natives Of
the island that the American peopie
have for them only the utmost good
will.
The i'll defined political unrest pre-
vailing for several years and the strife
among officials Of the American civil
government and between them and
certain sections Of the native popula-
ton have sorely tried the patience of
the Washington government. The eli
max came last spring when In an eff
fort to retaliate upon the civil govern
ment for fancied wrongs the Porto
Rican assembly. through which the ma.
tives are given 4 voice in their local
affairs, refused to pass the budget.
Congress was obliged to take over
ruling action. making the funds auto
matically available. President Taft
then decided to put in the palace at
San Juan the best man available.
From service in the Philippines he
took Colonel Cotton. whose experience
as business man. soldier and diplo-
mat makes him. in the opinion Of his
superiors. the best type of successful
colonial administrator.
Cotton a Man Of Force.
Colonel Cotton Is man more than
six feet tall. with broad shoulders and
q military carriage. His head is well
shaped and carries an especially firm
Jaw beneath an especially firm mouth,
which is partly concealed by a trim
mustache, while there are firm lines
around the nose and a certain quiet
steadfastness in the eyes.
Colonel Colton's scholastic education
was gained at the University Of Mich
igan and at Knox college. Illinois. On
ranch in New Mexico he began the
exciting experiences with which his
career has been dotted Those were
the days Of bitter conflict between cat
tlemen. Indians and sheep rustlers.
A few years Of hardy rough rider
experiences provided a strong consti-
tuition for later life Then came bust
ness-the organization when he was
twentythree years old of national
bank in David City, Neb.. where the
Cotton family had large property in
terests.
Served In Philippine Army.
At the outbreak Of the Spanish
American war he began active military
experiences as lieutenant colonel of
the First Nebraska volunteers. When
the backbone of the Philippine insur-
rection was broken Colonel Cotton on
account of his previous business ex-
perience was called upon by General
Merritt to organize the customs serv-
ice. The large import business of the
islands had to be systematized under
American control. Without customs
tariff experience. but with clear bust
ness idea of the results desired. Colo
mel Cotton marched the Omaha com
pany of his regiment into the custom
house and began the work. When his
regiment was mustered out he remain
ed ''on the job" until 1905.
While he was quietly enjoying a
months leave in Washington during
the same year financial complications
arose in Santo Domingo. The unsta-
BILE government of that republic had
exasperated European creditors to the
ed Intervention. and the Washington
government asserted its influence.
At Work In Santo Domingo.
A treaty had been negotiated under
which the United States undertook TO
collect the Dominican revenues and
segregate portion for the service of
the adjudicated foreign debt. Colonel
Cotton went to Santo Domingo and in
the most delicate circumstances imag
Unable became receiver of the Domlni-
can customs. He remained there two
and a half years and then became in
sular collector of customs for the Phil
ippines and returned to Manila in com
pany with Mr.. Taft. then secretary OF
war. who was making his trip around
the world. The new tariff for the
Philippines, of which Colonel Cotton
was the author, was enacted into law.
and he bore an important part in the
framing of that part of the Payne
Aldrich bill which gave free trade to
the islands.
In these tasks Colonel Colton's chief
asset has been purposeful persist
ence. coupled with tact that comes
only from thorough knowledge of the
races with which he has dealt. In
nearly every position he has held dis
erection has been an Indispensable re-
quirement.