Cox--The Man - free ebook by Roger Ward Babson

COX—THE MAN

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INTRODUCTION

Never has there been a presidential election when so many voters were undecided as to what to do. This especially applies to a great group of Republicans who favor the United States joining the League of Nations on some such basis as Governor Cox proposes, but who hesitate to endorse the Democrats on account of associations. These people like the Democratic platform and the Cox program much better than the Republican platform and the Harding program; but, not knowing James M. Cox, they, by insti

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Cox’s Family

Gilbert Cox, the Governor’s father, operated a small farm which he had inherited from his father, whose name was also Gilbert. There were seven children, of which James was the youngest. All seven children are still living. William keeps a store at Dayton; Scott is in the office of the Dayton News ; John is also in Dayton; and Charles works in the automobile industry in Detroit. Of the two sisters, one is Anna—the wife of Mr. John Q. Baker—and the other is now Mrs. William Kroskopp, of Dayton. A

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His Mother

When the boy was in his teens, his mother left Jacksonburg and went to Middletown, Ohio. What the reason for this was I do not know. Later a formal separation took place and the father married again. He is now living at Camden, Ohio. Although James has always been fond of his father and now often motors over to Camden to see him, his real friend was the mother. The tie between the boy, the man, and the mother was quite exceptional. She lived to the ripe old age of eighty-one, having died only th

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The United Brethren

The United Brethren in Christ have their headquarters in the Otterbein Press Building at Dayton, Ohio. Bishop A. T. Howard, D. D., and other prominent men in that denomination live in Dayton and vicinity. There are a great many adherents to this denomination thruout Ohio and adjoining states. The United Brethren is distinctly an American religious sect, which was originated in the latter half of the Eighteenth Century under the leadership of Philip William Otterbein. Altho this man was pastor of

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Joins the Church

Just before reaching the little village of Jacksonburg, there is an ancient brick church which James M. Cox’s grandfather and another relative, James Craig, helped to build. Here James’ father was superintendent of the Sunday School. It was in this little old church that the boy received the early religious training to which I have referred. The pastor was a consecrated man of evangelistic tendencies, and the boy’s heart was apparently reached early in life. While in his teens he joined the chur

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His Schooling

For some reason or other, the boy attended school in Middletown for only a year. I think he did not graduate. Perhaps they did not have graduations in those days. The school, however, was the best in that section of the country. The old farmers tell me it was called the “Gilt Edge School” by the taxpayers, because it always required so much money. Certainly it paid good wages for such days, as the records show that Mr. Baker got one hundred dollars a month. It contained three large rooms. In sho

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First Real Job

Upon leaving the Amanda School, the boy did not go back to the farm. He was determined to get to work, and was willing to do almost anything else, honorable, in order to get a start. He earned money at several odd jobs. He acted as tutor, as janitor, as newsboy and as printer’s devil. His first regular work after leaving school was teaching in “the little red school house.” Many thought he would be a school teacher for life, being so much interested in history, geography and other subjects. He s

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Enters Newspaper Work

During the summers and on Saturdays he did newspaper work of various kinds. The printing press and its product always had a great fascination for him. I am told he had from the first the natural instincts of a successful reporter and was exceedingly good at writing headlines. I asked him why he leaned so to the newspaper business, and he replied: “My mother taught me that I should lead others,—that I should be a worker and a leader, rather than a loafer and a follower. Hence I went into school t

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Goes to Cincinnati

One day a railroad wreck occurred [1] at Heno, Ohio, a village near Middletown, and several employees of the National Cash Register Company of Dayton, Ohio, who were on a picnic, were killed. Altho the various Cincinnati papers had several correspondents along the line of the railroad, Cox was apparently the only reporter who got his story in on time. His energy and versatility apparently so appealed to the managing editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer that they offered him a position on the Enquir

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Cox in Washington

In 1894, Paul J. Sorg, of Middletown, was elected to Congress to fill an unexpired term of Congressman George W. Houk. For some time Cox apparently had been desirous of going to Washington to have a larger opportunity than the newspaper work afforded him. Some of his friends say that he was disappointed at what he found in the big city newspaper. One there lacks the freedom of expression which all red-blooded men love. In the city newspaper he came in conflict with interests which, while at Midd

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Buys Dayton News

The business men of Dayton tell me that the News was then about as hopeless an enterprise as could be imagined. It was operating at a loss, its press was falling to pieces and its reputation was nil. However, Mr. Cox insisted that he could be happier with a bankrupt paper of his own, than with a great prosperous metropolitan daily owned by others. Like so many other young newspaper men, he asked himself, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Thus, with th

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Acquires a Springfield Paper

A few years later, Cox found another paper for sale in Springfield, Ohio, and purchased it. This paper was then known as the Springfield Press Republic , but the same has since been changed to the News . This was in 1903. Overnight the News changed its name and its politics. The circulation of this paper is now about 18,000 daily and Sunday. The circulation of the Dayton News is about 38,000 daily and 28,000 on Sunday. Both papers have very beautiful stone buildings, the Dayton building having b

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A Crusader

Cox always had the Crusader’s spirit. He says, however, that he deserves no credit for it, but crusaded because he enjoyed the struggle. Apart from his quarrel with the National Cash Register people, he had a conflict with the Appleyard Traction Syndicate, which owned the Dayton, Springfield &amp; Urbana Street Railway Company, and which later built the Central Market Street Railway in Columbus. Being myself then interested in selling the bonds of these companies, I personally came into cont

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Human Nature Student

In addition to possessing great integrity and courage, Mr. Cox is a wonderful student of human nature. He has remarkable judgment and intuition. These very necessary and practical traits acquired during years of business experience he has put into his public work. This has been especially noticeable in connection with his appointments. Also in his handling of labor troubles. Also in the work which he has done with the state institutions, and in interviewing those seeking pardon. One of the last

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The Children

His first marriage was to a Cincinnati girl named Harding. It is said that she was a very pretty girl and is a very attractive woman today. Altho the Governor has always refused to discuss in any way their life together, it is said that she was the first girl whom he ever showed any attention. At any rate, they were engaged, and soon married. The wedding took place in Cincinnati, May 25, 1893, when he was 23 years of age. They had four children, three surviving, which were born as follows: Miss

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A Manly Act

When the Governor returned to Dayton from Washington in 1908 and 1909 something seemed lacking. The old love which was so strong in 1893 was gone. On October 2, 1909, he and Mrs. Cox separated although no formal action was taken for two years. His wife, Mary Harding Cox, had in the meantime moved to Cleveland where she established a residence. Legal proceedings were brought through the Patterson law offices, American Trust Building, Cleveland, Ohio. Afterwards she went to Germany remaining there

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The Governor’s Wife

One day in March, 1916, after a hard season’s work in connection with publishing his two papers, James Mr. Cox motored down to Hot Springs for a little rest and change. There he met Miss Margaret Blair who was stopping at the hotel with her aunt. Both were from Chicago, Miss Blair being the daughter of Mr. Thomas Blair, a prominent Chicago business man. Miss Blair apparently had that love for politics and out-door life which appealed to Mr. Cox. Miss Blair was very athletic, rather than musical.

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Member of the Masons

James M. Cox is a member of the Jefferson Masonic Lodge of Middletown, Ohio. Among the many letters which came to him after his nomination for the Presidency was one from the lodge which he seemed to prize most highly. He commented on the fact that the Middletown Lodge had furnished Ohio two Governors. Although interested in all forward looking movement for the betterment of mankind, Mr. Cox is very fond of the old things. The Jacksonburg farm where he was born has been fixed up by him in a most

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Work in Washington

The political life of James M. Cox really began when he reached Washington one morning in 1894. This was a real event for him, and altho disappointing in many ways, gave him an insight into political life which he had never been able to have before. Washington impressed him with the great possibilities of service thru holding a public office but he felt any such office was beyond him. Hence he returned to Dayton because he believed it gave him greater opportunities for usefulness. The first edit

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Congressional Campaign

The first office which Mr. Cox sought was as Congressman from the Third District of Ohio. This was in 1908, about ten years after he came back from Washington as Secretary to Congressman Sorg. He tells me that his great difficulty was then in connection with making speeches. He seemed at first unable to make an extemporaneous speech. His early speeches were read like Sunday sermons, much to the amusement of his opponents. Finally, some of his friends used to get his written speeches away from hi

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Gubernatorial Campaign

One of the most important events of Mr. Cox’s life came with his determination to run for Governor of Ohio. He was not satisfied with the opportunity of service which Congress offered. He felt that the Governorship did present a real opportunity especially in connection with the new Ohio constitution in which he was greatly interested. Hence in 1912 he entered the campaign for Governor. Cox has carried his state three times. No other Democratic Governor has ever done that in Ohio. On the last oc

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Nineteen to Ten

The Democratic leaders in Ohio like to talk about the six Democratic governors Ohio has chosen to one Republican since 1905. Pattison defeated Myron T. Herrick in 1905 and Judson Harmon won in 1908 and 1910, the second time by a big majority over Harding. Since 1861, Ohio twenty-nine times has voted for Governor and nineteen times the Republicans have won. This means that the score now stands nineteen to ten in favor of the Republicans, with the Democrats gaining. On the other hand, the Republic

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Courage and Self-Possession

“This positive quality in Governor Cox seems to me the dominant one. It represents him—fairly I think—as a man with considerable courage and a good deal of self-possession. It shows too what is a key to Cox’s mind in more ways than one; his education in Jeffersonian principles of government. More faith in these principles he has retained than most leaders of his party. That is the way, when representatives of an ostensibly Jeffersonian administration, like Palmer and Burleson, bludgeoned public

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Enlisted Men

Governor Cox went at great length to improve the condition of the Ohio soldier. He favored all of the legislation presented in the soldiers’ behalf and made numerous trips to Washington and elsewhere in the interests of these men. There are three factors in connection with the waging of war. There is the government ; there is the property interests of the country; and lastly, there is the enlisted and drafted men . Some men who put politics before principles would have appealed equally for the i

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False Patriotism

Governor Cox was one of the first to criticize certain Republican leaders for their misuse of the patriotic appeal. He appealed for true patriotism. He criticized that patriotism which is of the hurrah boy style. He does not believe in “America First, Right or Wrong,” which is the slogan of certain Republican senators. Governor Cox believes the real protection of the country depends on protecting the individuals who make up the country, and that all countries must ultimately prosper or suffer to

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Attitude Before the War

James M. Cox vigorously and frankly opposed many of the policies of Great Britain. The Republicans frequently criticize him for this, referring to quotations from his papers to support their charges. It appears to me quite evident in looking back over the last five years, that Cox at one time misunderstood the fundamentals of the European war. Thus on the 7th of November, 1915, a year and a half before we entered the war, an editorial in the News declared that “Victory by Germany was not the wor

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The Real Issue

The real issue, however, should not be clouded by paragraphs taken here and there from the newspapers of either Senator Harding or Governor Cox. The truth is that both of these men at that time stood for neutrality, as did some of the prominent Senators who afterwards so violently talked patriotism. Furthermore, both Mr. Cox and Mr. Harding were rightfully backed in their opinions by a large mass of thoughtful people throughout the land. From August 4, 1914, up to a short time before the United

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Personal Opinion

I cannot resist the temptation of expressing my feelings in this chapter. They are as follows: If a referendum of the American people had been taken in 1915 or 1916, 90 per cent would have voted for neutrality. Furthermore, it is not yet known when America would have entered the war had not Germany lost her moral sense and become almost insane. But under the circumstances there was only one thing to do; namely, to put Germany under control. After she was put under control, America felt that it w

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Cox’s Letter to Pollock

In this connection I was shown the copy of a letter which Governor Cox wrote to John H. Pollock, a Kansas City attorney. The letter was dated June 23, 1920, and was in response to a letter which Pollock wrote to the Governor on this question. The Governor’s reply was as follows: “I have read your letter with interest. The question before us now is law enforcement. As the constitution and statute stand, they are the express mandate of the people and must be respected by public officers and citize

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Position on Suffrage

James M. Cox’s record on suffrage should be distinctly pleasing to all who are interested therein. He has worked for the passage and signed every bill which has been helpful to the suffrage cause. Not only is this shown by a study of the records, but by the violent opposition which he is getting from the Anti-Suffrage leaders. Furthermore, Mr. Cox’s interest in suffrage was not a “death-bed repentance.” Unlike his opponent (as the Democratic speakers now insist upon emphasizing) and others who a

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Conservatism and Vision

After the conference had been in progress one or two sessions, it was deemed advisable to appoint a committee on resolutions. Almost every Governor and Mayor had some special things which he desired to have favorably passed upon. There was a maze of suggestions and counter suggestions ranging all the way from the conservative teachings of Governor Sproul of Pennsylvania to the socialistic propositions of Mayor Hoan of Milwaukee. Therefore, a committee was appointed and of this committee Governor

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A Friend of Man

Because Governor Cox would not call out the militia during various coal strikes and refused to send troops to Cincinnati at the time of the street car strike and to Steubenville at the time of the steel strike, some have called him a radical. Such criticism simply shows ignorance on the part of him who criticises. Naturally James M. Cox likes the working man and has a friendly feeling toward him. When Governor he worked hard for the new Ohio constitution. Before the new constitution was in effec

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Cox’s Employees

It is said that the best way to get the truth regarding a woman is to interview her maid. Certainly the best way to get the truth regarding the employer is to interview his wage workers. Hence, while in Springfield and Dayton, I endeavored to ascertain how Mr. Cox’s employees feel toward him. On the morning following Mr. Cox’s nomination, the employees of the Dayton News early in the day sent him a huge bouquet of flowers. Upon receiving it he climbed the steps to the composing rooms of his news

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Confidence of Labor

James M. Cox’s reason for having the confidence of labor is that he has always consistently carried out his promises. It is a customary thing for candidates for public office to talk pleasantly to labor before the election, but to forget their promises after the votes are counted. The labor leaders of the country have been disappointed so many times in that way that they are almost discouraged. The various third party movements have come into being not because the regular candidates of the old p

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Inconsistencies of the White House

One should be loath in criticizing the intentions of the Wilson administration. Careful study will convince any man that these intentions were of the best. Certain inconsistencies, however, were very apparent. These inconsistencies apply not alone to international matters but also to domestic affairs. The Wilson administration’s attitude toward labor was most perplexing even to its friends. James M. Cox takes a sane middle of the road position believing that the great function of the government

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The San Francisco Convention

The story of the San Francisco Convention is so recent that little needs to be said about it. Owing to the fact that the Democratic nominee must receive a two-thirds vote, it required forty-four ballots to secure the necessary number to nominate Governor Cox. Altho a large number of men were voted for, the fight was between the friends of Mr. McAdoo, Governor Cox and Attorney-General Palmer. Both Mr. McAdoo and Mr. Cox seemed unable to secure the necessary nomination until the thirty-eighth ball

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Palmer’s Withdrawal

With the thirty-seventh ballot, Palmer’s strength took a big drop. Amidst wild jubilation Chairman Robinson fought for order and let former Representative Carlin of Virginia, Palmer’s manager, up to the speaker’s stand. The crowd hushed. It recognized Carlin and knew that his appearance forecast only one thing, the release of the Palmer delegates and a break-up in the long deadlock. Men halted where they stood in the aisles to listen. Corridors poured back hundreds of loungers to the floor to pa

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Die Hard for Palmer

Back in their seats again under the banging urge of the gavel, the delegates awaited the 39th roll call. The effect of Mr. Palmer’s release to his friends was noticeable at once. By twos and threes and larger groups, delegates previously voting unchangingly for him went to other candidates, each change that brought gain to McAdoo or Cox let loose a new roar. The faithful Pennsylvanians insisted on casting one more vote for Palmer as a final tribute to him. The delegation chairman’s statement wen

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Spectators Desert

Both McAdoo and Cox gained ground and McAdoo supporters dug themselves in, grimly determined on a last ditch fight. The 42nd roll call was started. It showed new drifts to Cox as the votes were shouted back to the platform from the unsuppressible murmur among the delegates, now regardless of the fatigue of the prolonged fight, altho the great galleries above them were by then almost vacant. Great blocks of empty seats showed where worn-out spectators had given it up by midnight and gone home exp

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The Last Ballot

The result was forecast with the first vote. Alabama swung solid for Cox. State by state delegations that had stuck out for McAdoo, with divided delegations, followed suit. The slide had set in and there was no stopping it. The convention had its mind set to nominate on that ballot. Up and up mounted the Ohioan’s total of votes. As it passed the 700 mark with the necessary two-thirds just ahead, the tumult increased minute by minute until the last votes were heard only vaguely on the platform. P

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International Morality

Everyone knows that Senator Johnson has been opposed to the treaty in any form and objects strongly to us entering the League of Nations in any way. When Senator Johnson states that the Republican platform is satisfactory to him and that Senator Harding feels as he does regarding the League of Nations, it naturally makes the League of Nations the primary issue of the campaign and places the contest between Cox who stands for internationalism and Harding, Lodge, Smoot and Penrose who stand for a

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Honesty vs. Dishonesty

“This plan would not only be a piece of bungling diplomacy, but plain unadulterated dishonesty, as well. No less an authority than Senator Lodge said, before the heat of recent controversy, that to make peace except in company with the Allies would ‘brand us everlastingly with dishonor and bring ruin to us.’ “Then America, refusing to enter the League of Nations (now already established by over forty nations) and bearing and deserving the contempt of the world, should, according to Senator Hardi

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Appeals for Brotherhood

James M. Cox is essentially a man of broad outlook, big-hearted and anxious to serve. Altho criticized by some as an idealist, his ideals seem to be of the highest as if propelled by the righteousness of the causes which he represents. When referring further to the League of Nations, he said: “These are fateful times. Organized government has a definite duty all over the world. The house of civilization is to be put in order. The supreme issue of the century is before us and the nation that halt

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Reservations that Cox Favors

When discussing with Mr. Cox his attitude on the treaty reservations, he said: “The captious may pretend that our platform reference to reservations is vague and indefinite. Its meaning, in brief, is that we shall state our interpretation of the covenant as a matter of good faith to our associates and as a precaution against any misunderstanding in the future.” As to these “interpretations,” Mr. Cox felt that some statement should be made and suggested the following two: (1) In giving its assent

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Opposed to Profiteering by Capital or Labor

“If I am called to service as President, means will be found, if they do not already exist, for compelling these exceptions to the great mass of square-dealing American business men to use the same yardstick of honesty that governs most of us or else suffer the penalty of criminal law. To avoid such action on my part these profiteers are today working for my defeat.” Concerning industrial disputes, the Governor says: “Many captains of industry, guided by a most dangerous industrial philosophy, b

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Education

James M. Cox is an ardent advocate of education. He believes that the chief function of government is to protect men in their freedom of effort and rights of ownership and that other things must be left largely to the church and the schools. He believes that it is impossible to make men honest by legislation and only as men’s hearts are changed can legislation be of any avail. He is especially interested in the education of the great mass of aliens, negroes and others in this country who have be

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Interested in the Farmers

From boyhood Mr. Cox has always been interested in the farmers. He believes that agriculture is the most important form of industry. He insists it is the basis of industry because upon it depends the food supply. The drift from countryside into the city carries disquieting portents. If our growth in manufacturing in the next few years holds its present momentum, it will be necessary for America to import foodstuffs. It, therefore, develops upon government, thru intensive scientific coöperation,

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Interested in the Home Owner

I have often referred to Secretary Wilson’s statement that no man was ever known to hang the red flag of anarchy over his own hearthstone. Mr. Cox says: “Multiply our home owners, and you will make the way of the seditious agitator more difficult. Bring into the picture of American life more families having a plot of garden and flowers all their own and you will find new streams running into the national current of patriotism. Help to equalize the burdens of taxation by making the holders of hid

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Miscellaneous Matters

A study of James M. Cox’s speeches shows very clearly that he stands for a budget system, the right of free speech and assembly, the strengthening of the Federal Reserve System, the re-organization of our consular service, and some liberal provision for our ambassadors and foreign officers especially in countries where we have foreign missionaries together with improvement of the various executive branches of the government. Mr. Cox insists that if elected he would surround himself with unselfis

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Business Service

A public utilities law providing property revaluation as a basis for rate making. Provision for court appeal from the utilities commission decision to the court of final jurisdiction, preventing delay and loss. Prohibition against injunction on rate hearing without court investigation. A uniform accounting system applied to public utilities. A state banking code with close coöperation with the Federal Reserve system, bringing all private banks under state supervision. A blue sky act to encourage

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Labor Legislation

A compulsory workmen’s compensation law, admittedly the best in the Union and which has been accepted as the model by other progressive states. A State Industrial Commission with powers to handle all questions affecting capital and labor, with a state mediator as the keystone. Complete survey of occupational diseases with recommendation for health and occupational insurance. Full switching crew law for all railroad yards. Legislation strengthening the use in the state of railroad safety applianc

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Social Service

Establishment of a state tuberculosis hospital and district hospitals thruout the state by county action. Adoption of health code giving state health commissioner regulatory power over subdivision officials, with a special appropriation to combat epidemics and contagious diseases. Formation of a state-wide social agency committee, bringing into mutual operation all recognized social agencies of the state (the only one of its kind in the Union), having complete coöperation with state departments.

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Educational Developments

Consolidated schools in excess of 1200, with full high school courses, have supplanted more than five times that number of one-room school houses. A complete supervision of school courses and textbooks has been established....

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Agricultural Legislation

A law combining all agricultural activities under jurisdiction of an agricultural commission. Provision for study of farm credit plans. Protection against sale of untested fertilizers. Provision for destruction of and remuneration for diseased cattle. Compulsory orchard spraying law, with spraying material under license. Establishment of breeding service at institutional farms, and the building up of pure-bred herds thruout the state. Passage of a pure seed bill. Establishment of producer-to-con

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Good Roads Program

Beginning in 1915, with an annual revenue of three and one-half million dollars, with a carefully planned system of inter-county and main-market highways under state supervision with federal aid, the program for Ohio was extended until now there has been made available from state sources the sum of thirty million dollars annually for the maintenance and upkeep of main roads. Legislation for the use of the split log drag on graveled connecting roads. Provision for the united action of township, c

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National Ideals

In closing let me quote once more from Mr. Cox, mostly from an address before the Iroquois Club at Chicago, March 25, 1920. “Public officers are the representatives of government and they promote or diminish confidence in our institutions either by wisdom or error. Never before has there been such a pressing necessity for plain good faith on the part of those in whose hands rests governmental power as exists today. “We must give immediate attention to matters of domestic concern. Our whole econo

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