South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-04-14
Presidential Possibilities
JAMES M. COX
One Of Series of Sketches of Men Prominently
Mentioned for Chief Executive

Men call Jimmy" Cox. Ohio's
three-time governor. a regular fell
low"
He can ell a good story adm ap-
preciates hearing one. He is a fair
whist player who enjoys the game
most when he wins. He Is an en-
gaging cOnversationalist.
But above all. James ". Cox likes
the outdoors. lie IS an enthusiastic
fisherman and hunter When he IS
IN DayOn almost any morning ne
may be seen at sunrise taking a
brisk canter over country roads
near his farm. alone or accompa-
MED by Mrs Cox and James. jr
When in Columbus he tries 20 get In
a round Of golf every afternoon.
For several years ne has spent
his summers at a cottage IN north
ern Michigan. where, with his en-
tire family. ne allows nothing 10
distract from his enjoyment OF the
outdoors. In season many a field in
Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama
have known his presence and ev-
erywhere he has hunted his favorite
dog Tom has become a crony Of
the natives
Loves Hunting Dogs.
His love OF hunting Is IN reality
Z love OF hunting dogs Nothing I'm
recent years has grieved him like
the death OF old Tom, run down and
killed by an automobile a few weeks
ago.
Cox believes his ability 70 forget
work and take rest and recreation
g. his greatest asset When apply
ing himself at his Office. the gov
ernor drives with endless energy.
but works without friction. He will
not be stampeded to a quick deci-
sion. although his judgments are
formed quickly and then promptly
executed.
Governor Cox was so years old
two weeks ago. He IS robust.
weighs about los pounds and is
stOckily built
Cox was developed in the hard
school or experience. His early edu-
cation ne got in the public schools.
When quite young he started to
work as printers devil, then
taught school, became a newspaper
reporter. was private secretary 10 a
congressman, a congressman for
two terms. became editor and own
er OF wo Ohio daily newspapers. and
finally was elected governor. His
third term as governor will end in
1921.
Born ON Farm.
Cox was born on a farm near
JacksOnburg. O., a few miles from
Dayton. He spent his youth work
ing on the farm and attending
school near his home. AS he grew
older. he. like other boys OF the
neighborhood, went 10 seek his for
tune. he obtained employment
from time 10 time on Dayton and
Cincinnati newspapers as primers
devil. Later he became a reporter
and copy reader on the Enquirer,
Cincinnati
In 1888 Cox bought the Dayton
News. In 1903 he bought the
Springfield News These two papers
now constitute the News League of
Ohio, OF which Cox Is owner and
editorial director.
Cox represented the Third Ohio
district In congress from 1909 20
1913. In the latter year he began
ed for both his papers and the best
OF equipment installed.
his first term OF governor. his cleo
ton as a democrat having been
hailed by republicans as an "acci-
dent" In 1915 ne was defeated for
reelection by Frank B. Willis, re-
publican In 9917. however. Cox
came back strong and won the cleo
ton over Willis. In 1919 he was
again elected for a two-year term.
Floods I'm Dayton.
Cox had barely assumed the
duties OF governor IN 1913 when
the great foods OF tina spring inun-
dated Dayton and the valleys OF the
Miami and SciOto. The man who
dominated the situation following
the foods was Cox. He assumed
complete charge. declared martial
law. and I'm three days, during
which he never left his office, start
I'd the wheels OF relief moving and
had rehabilitation under way.
During that series OF disasters
Cox was chief magistrate, COM
mander-in-chief, head OF the life
saving service. provider of food and
clothing. principal health officer.
severest disciplinarian, hardest
worker. most hopeful prophet. san
est counselor. kindest philanthro-
pist and most accurate reporter. 90
according to a contemporary edi-
Oriai writer.
Indicative OF Cox's managenent
OF affairs in Ohio was his action in
removing the mayor OF Canton. a