Cockran
WILLIAM BOURKE, an American lawyer and public official, born in Sligo, Ireland, in 1854. He was educated in France and Ireland and at Georgetown College, from which he graduated in 1900. After his removal to the United States in 1871 he taught school in Westchester co., N. Y. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 and soon became prominent in New York politics.
He was delegate to many conventions, where he became well known as an orator. He opposed the nomination of Grover Cleveland in 1884 and 1892. He was a member of the 52d and 53d Congresses. In 1896 he opposed the silver wing of the party and supported McKinley for president. He returned to the Democratic party, however, in 1900, supporting William J. Bryan. He was elected to the 58th Congress in 1904, but later resigned. He was re-elected to the 59th and 60th Congresses, declining COCKROACH re-election, but resumed law practice in New York. He was a conspicuous figure a conspicuous ous figure at the Democratic National Convention in 1920 and made the speech nominating James M. Cox for presidency .