The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-21

ganiZation, whiCn COX dominated IKE
a czar. In February. 1911. he was in
dicted, with numerous other associates
and friends, for receiving Illegal in
terest from banks in which public funds
were deposited. Although the indict-
ments were Guashed eventually. the
humiliation Of hcinc dragged TO court
broke Cox's will. He quit politics.
Taft Delivers . Blow.
Actually IT was William II. Tai, that
delivered the first blow in smashing
CoN's power, Mr.. Taft. a. "A member
of President Rousevclts Cabinet. was
sent to his home state. ohio, on October
81, 1905. for the special purpose ~
destroying Cox's influence. even at the
cost of party success. 1t "A Mr.. Taft
who said OF Cox IN a speech at Akron.
ohio:
The whole government OF both city
and county tCincinnati and Hamilton,
Is absolutely under his control, and
every Republican convention nomi-
mates the men whom he dictates. The
government under the machine IL con-
stantly described as "A very corrupt one"
This accusation lcveiled At Cox by a
national leader who voiced the sentiments
OF the President was a stunning one.
II caused the defeat OF Cox's entire
t.'htt, ~ anu ib'hfH ""N ~" h'''
runner OF the investigation Of corrupt
practices whDh toppled cox from his
supposedly unissailablc position.
AS the political leader of cincinnati,
Hamilton county and thu state Of ohio.
Cox received contributions from every
source that could be tapped. The annual
total Of these contributions was enor-
NOUS. Rud Is. Hynica. one Of Cox's
l~ieutenants, testified in 1906 before a
-.g Ap,s,ttaa lp.aSsuas II, nnT.
rup,ion tina the Cox collections averaged
about S7.000.0 600 a year.
A large part OF this money came from
banks favored by the Cox machine In
tho matter of deposits, and IL was this
factor which was used SO tcllingly by
the young prosecutor. Henry 7. Hunt
in 1911. Mr.. Hunt got evidence tina
Cox had received vast sums from IA
vored banks. Moreover Hunt obtaine,
an Indictment for perjury against Coz
because the latter had testified that h,
never in any way received secret in
terest money from public funds.
Downed After n Long Fight.
II took n big fight to drag Cox down
Hunt had back Of him public opinion
and an honest Judge. Cox had the cit,
administration, the Office holders. Bu
Hunt got his indictments and turned tn
light suuarcly upon the secret dealing
OF the leader with money sources
Eventually COX WIS able to get the In
dic,mcnts quashcd. but he never re
covered from the humiliation or IN
prosecution. Cox made his last fight 4
the campaign of 1911. II was "A grin
dramatic fight. For Cox 1t was life %
death. The division was clear cut. tn
reepectablc population of the city on tn
one side, and on the other the popula
Ton which tolerated the acts OF the ma
chine. Cox was beaten dccisively.
: In this city in 1919, White he wa
5 visiting his friend Joseph l.. Rhinocl
Cox delivered "A few epigrarns touchir
upon his career and his methods,
7 81 made good In politics" he said, "h'
= ca use ! never lied to any n and b'
= cause L never went back on "A frien
Bur l guess the people are tired
bosses"
Cox came nto prominence in the Ia
'7Os, when he ran "A saloon In the stu
district OF Cincinnati. lie was a ham
s. me, silent. determined young man WI
was becoming 4 force In politics beciu
he could leap fiat footed over his salo'
T. counter and LAND on the Jaw of any I'M
on the other side who needed repressin
= He hammered down opposition and owe
awed enemies.
. In the next rev years ne grew iro
control of a ward to control OF a eli
and then his power gradually expand
unit, no aspiring politicians in the So
Eapub,tcan state of Ohio could get n
yancement without CoX's backing
;. friendship. He had useful alliances vi
the Democratic bosses, who received the
equitable share of contributions made
Cox.
For many years he ruled from !
throne in q Cincinnati beer garden,
rarely talked. lie sat and listen'
slowly che wing tobacco and occasiona
consuming a glass Of beer, And to III
I, beer garden the most respectable e
ments Of the party had to come to !
= knowledge fealty 70 the boss and app
for his support.
:" His creat snurcc Of airenrth Law In 1