The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-05-21
GEORGE B. COX
POLITICIAN
PASSES AWAY
PNEUMONIA CARRIES AWAY THE
MOST WIDELY KNOWN POLlTlC-
IAN IN OHIO - SKETCH OF HIS
CAREER.

Cincinnati, O., May 20.-George b.
Cox died at his home here today of
pneumonia. He was stricken with
paralysis February 30.
George Barnsdale Cox was one of
the most widely known professional
politicians in Ohio, a baseball mag
nate, a banker and part owner of one
of the largest theatrical syndicates
in the country. Born in Cincinnati,
April 20, 1868, he began his career as
a newsboy, and later became saloon
keeper at Dead Mans Corner" as
the locality at Carlisle and Central
avenues, Cincinnati, was known, be-
cause of the numerous murders in
the neighborhood. Cincinnati was
"wide open" in those days, and un-
bridled saloons and gambling flourish
ed. Cox, however, kept his place
orderly and established a reputation
for physical courage that he main
tanned throughout his career.
He Immediately became a leader in
local politics and soon spread his in
fluence until he virtually controlled
the republican machine in Hamilton
county, obtained a powerful hold on
state politics and welded an inAu-
ence in national campaigns.
Early in his political career Cox
,,-o, aloo+ad to tho citv ooupoi1 That
however, was the only elective office
to which he ever aspired. He found
the inner circle conferences of his
party more to his liking than the
open work of the platform. AS a
leader of the republican party in
Hamilton county, he selected as his
chief lieutenants August Hermann,
now chairman of the national base
ball commission and president of the
Hynicka, who later became closely
associated with Mr.. Cox in theatrical
ventures. In the division of author
ity between these two, Cox assigned
Hermann to the city of Cincinnati
and Hynicka to Hamilton county out
side of Cincinnati. For years the
word of these two men in their sep
arate fields was final.
In 1884, during the BlaineCleveland
campaign, Coxs circle of influence
widened At that time the republi-
cans declared for protective tariff
and the idea appealed to Cincinnati
as a rising manufacturing city. Cox
was awake to the possibilities, form
ed the famous "Blaine club" and
asked to be allowed to direct the con-
gressional campaign. In this politi-
cal fight he won, Hamilton county
giving Blaine a substantial plurality.
Cox's work in connection with the
candidacy of William Howard Taft
for the presidency .occasioned sur
prise among political observers.
When the former president was Sec
retary of war; he delivered an ad-
dress at Akron, O., supporting Myron
T. Herrick for governor Of Ohio. In
this address he took occasion to say
that if he voted that year he would
cast a straight republican state ticket
but would not support the Cincin-
natl city ticket placed on the ballot
by the republican organization.
This was construed as a direct slap
at the Cox organization, but contrary
to expectations, Hamilton county was
solid for Taft when he was a candi-
date for president short time later
and it was known that Cox used his
influence in swinging the state for
Taft.
When Cox announced his retirement
from politics in 1909, Hynicka and
Hermann continued the organization,
which was considered intact until it
was beaten in the mayoralty race in
Cincinnati a little more than three
years later.
Cox as a young man was an en-
thusiastic baseball fan. He organized
and was a member of the "Oseeolas"
during the. strenuous days of base
ball when fights were frequent. The
motto of the club was to win, Tie or
Fight" and Cox is always said 10
have been where the trouble was
the thickest.
Later he was associated with Au-
gust Hermann in the ownership of
the Cincinnati Nationals. The ill-for- /,