Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-21
GE0RCE B. COX IS DEAD
At HOME IN CINCINNATI
Never Recovered From Paralysis
With Which He Was Stricken
in February.
WIDELY KNOWN AS POLITICIAN
He Also Was Baseball Magnate,
q Banker and Part Owner OF One Of
Largest Theatrical Syndicates in
the Country.

CINCINNATI o. May 2o.-Georee B.
Scox. politician and theatrical magnate,
sdied al his home here early o-day. He
was stricken with paralysis on Feb
Sruary co. from which he never re-
ycovered although death is said to have
been from pneumonia, which developed
In the last few days.
I'll George Barnsdsle Cox was one of
the most widely known professional
politicians in Ohio. 81 baseball magnate.
N banker and part owner of one of the
Largest theatrical syndicates in the
Scountry. Born in Cincinnati on April
5s2s. 1853, he began his career rs a news
boy, and later became saloon X eeper
lat Dead Mans Corner" as tho locality
at Carlisle and Central Avenues, Gin
,cinnati. was known because of the
numerous murders in the neighbour
hood. Cincinnati was wide open In
those days, and unhridled saloons and
gambling nourished. Cox, howeveP,
kept his place orderly, and established
"a reputation for physical courage that
he maintained throughout his career.
4 He Immediately became leader in
local politics, and soon spread his in.
fluence until he virtually controlled the
Republican machine in Hamilton
iColnty. obtained a powerful hold on
State politics and welded an influence
I'm national campaigns.
Early in his political career Cox was
elected to the City Council. That. how
ever, was the only elective office to
which he ever aspired. He found tho
inner circle conferences OF his party
far more to his liking than the open
work of the platform AS leader OF
the Republican party In Hamilton
County, he selected as his chief lieu
tenants. August Hermann. now chair
man of the National Baseball Commits
sion and president OF the Cincinnati,
baseball club. and Rud Hynicia. who
later became closely associated with
Mr.. Cox in theatrical ventures In the
division OF authority between these
two. Cox assigned Hermann to the city
County. outside OF Cincinnati For
years the word of these two men in
their separate fields was final.
INFLUENCE wIDENS DURING
CLEVELAND-BLAIN CAMPAIGN
In 1881. during the Blaine Cleveland
campaign. CoX's circle of influence
swidened. At that time the Republicans
declared for protective tariff. and the
tlueh dPped!eO 'lilClrN3ti as a rising
manufacturing city. Cox was awake
to the possibilities, formed the famous
Blaine Club" and asked TO be allowed
TO direct the congressional campaign
In this political fight he won. Hamilton
County giving Blaine "a substantial
plurality
CcX's work in connection with the
candidacy Of William Howard Taft for
the presidency occasioned surprise
among political observers. When the
former President was Secretary Of War,
he delivered an address at Akron, O.,
supporting Nyron 7. Herrick for Gov
fernor Of Ohio. In this address he took
occasion TO say that If he voted that
year he would cast straight Rcpubli-
can State ticket but would not support
the Cincinnati 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 candidate
for President a short time later, and il
was known that Cox used his Influence
in swinging the State for Taft
When Cox announced his retirement
from politics in 1903. Hermann and
Hynicka continued the organization,
which was considered intact until IL
was beaten in the mayoralty race in