History of the Republican Party in Ohio

his close friends insisted that he should be chosen Judge of the Supreme Court of the State, and succeeded in getting the support of the delegates to the Republican State Convention and he was nominated and elected. Immediately after the election Judge Swan resigned and Judge Gholson was appointed to the vacancy. He, however, resigned before the expiration of his term. He was both a noted lawyer and an effective political speaker. He died September 21, 1870, in Cincinnati.

Robert Walker Tayler, Auditor of State, was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1812, and died, of paralysis of the brain, at Washington City, February 25, 1878. His father and mother were James Tayler and Jane Walker Tayler, whose parents had come to America from the north of Ireland. The family removed to Youngstown, Ohio, while Robert was an infant. He received a common-school education, attended a German school one winter, and the Youngstown academy, studied law in Canfield, and after serving one year as Deputy County Clerk of Trumbull county, he was admitted to the bar. In 1839 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of that county, holding the office four years. He again removed to Youngstown, and it was afterward his proud boast that he was the first openly avowed anti-slavery man in that city. He was cashier of the Mahoning County Bank from 1850 to 1860, at the same time practicing his profession. In 1851 he was Mayor of Youngstown, and in 1855 he was elected to the State Senate and reelected in 1857. He was elected Auditor of State in 1859, and such was his ability that it was said that he saved Ohio in its darkest hour." In 1863 he was appointed First Comptroller of the United States Treasury by Mr. Lincoln,

upon Secretary Chase's earnest recommendation. He held the office fifteen years and was popularly designated "the watch-dog of the Treasury." It was once said of him that he saved the Government millions by his inflexible integrity."

John Belli Gregory, Member of the Board of Public Works, was born in Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio, May 29, 1830. He was graduated from the high school in his native city at the age of twenty. In 1850 he was employed as division engineer on the Scioto & Hocking Valley Railroad, and in 1853 was promoted to be assistant civil engineer, completing the road from Portsmouth to Hamden. In 1857 he was appointed resident engineer for the southern district of the Ohio canal. In 1859 he was nominated and elected on the Republican ticket as a member of the Board of Public Works. 1862 he was renominated, but suffered defeat along with the other Republican candidates. In 1880 he was, by appointment of Governor Foster, made Chief Engineer of the Public Works of the State, remaining in that office for several years.

It will be observed that Major William Dennison Bickham, late editor and proprietor of the Dayton Daily Journal, was among the delegates to this Convention, and it may be said of him that for thirty years he remained a leading figure in the Republican party of Ohio. He was a radical of the radicals, an undoubted stalwart" in the fullest sense of that term. There was nothing half-way, lukewarm or indifferent about his advocacy of Republican measures and Republican candidates. Such a thing as a quiet campaign was not known in Dayton, and his habit of stirring up the people has been since continued by his paper. His style of warfare was an everlasting attack, and the opposition well

knew the vigor and effectiveness of his trenchant blade. However, he never cherished personal animosities, and was always ready to do justice to a foe, or spread the mantle of charity over the faults of the weak. After a protracted and peppery campaign, he would settle down to the enjoyment of a hardearned victory, or philosophize with good nature over a signal defeat, and figuratively shake hands all around with friend and foe. He led a busy life. Early cast upon his own resources, he energetically set out to hew his way in the world at whatever honorable employment first came hand. Loving excitement and adventure, and fearless then as ever after, when quite a young man, he struck out" for the mines of California, and after perilous adventures on land and sea, was washed ashore from a wrecked vessel, and took up the work of a miner on the Pacific Coast. Thence he drifted into journalism, having previously learned the trade of printer, and there found his true element. As a writer he was terse and strong. There was never any mistake as to his meaning, and he never covered a plain but disagreeable truth with rosy words or involved sentences. Of humor he was possessed to a large extent, and could, as occasion demanded, launch into poetic and ornate description, quite different from his political editorials. With all his versatility as a writer, his recognized "forte" was in paragraphing, the most difficult and effective work of an editor. sententious paragraphs were widely copied and gave the Journal a reputation throughout the country. In political management he had large experience in constructing local, State and National tickets and platforms. He was a delegate to twenty or more State Conventions and several

His

National Conventions. The nomination of Hayes in 1876 has been largely attributed to him. Long before the Convention assembled he predicted that he would receive the Presidential nomination and foretold just the manner in which it would be brought about. He was an intimate and valued friend of Hayes, Garfield, Sherman, Schenck, Chase, McKinley, Foster and Foraker, and many other politicians of National renown. For himself he never sought office and insisted that no editor could do so without a sacrifice of his influence. When the war broke out he went to the front on General Rosecrans' Staff, as war correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial, was in a number of battles and wrote what is acknowledged to be the best published description of the battle of Stone River. In 1863 he took charge of the Dayton Journal, after its office had been burned by a mob, and made it one of the most influential and widely quoted dailies in the West.

While war correspondent he wrote The Fourteenth Army Corps" and later From Ohio to the Rocky Mountains." He was born in Cincinnati March 30, 1827; educated at Bethany College, West Virginia; at twenty was city editor of the Louisville Courier; in 1850 went to California, where he was first a miner and then a reporter on San Francisco papers. Returning to Ohio in 1854 he was employed by the Cincinnati Columbian, the Evening Times and the Commercial, as city editor, and then as legislative and Washington correspondent, until the war of the Rebellion, when he was assigned to duty in the field as war correspondent of the Commercial, becoming widely known as "W. D. B." From May, 1863, he made his home in Dayton, where he remained in active editorial work until his death in March 1894

Wellington Rescue." The defendants had appealed to the Supreme Court to grant them relief from imprisonment, because of the alleged unconstitutionality of the law, and the feeling was so intense in regard to the matter in Northern Ohio (especially in the Western Reserve) that on receipt of the news of the decision the church bells were tolled in a number of towns. The indignaThe indignation of Republicans was exceedingly great, and the Reserve delegates declared that they could not and would not support Swan. Accordingly, under the guidance of Chase and Giddings, they agreed to unite upon any candidate selected by Hamilton County. Swan was supported by delegates in the central and western portions of the State and his name was presented for renomination. Gholson

was nominated, receiving 217 votes to 140 for Swan and seven votes scattering. The Democrats used the incident quite extensively during the progress of the campaign with some effect. Immediately after the election Judge Swan sent in his resignation, which was accepted, and the newly-elected Judge, William Y. Gholson, was appointed by Governor Chase as his successor.

Robert W. Tayler, of Mahoning, was nominated on the third ballot for Auditor of State. His competitors were James Williams, of Champaign; Edward M. Comstock, of Columbiana; George R. Morton, of Erie; Harry J. Cox, of Muskingum; Samuel B. Shotwell, of Harrison; Roswell Marsh, of Jefferson; Daniel B. Hubbard, of Gallia; William Wilson, of Darke; and George Seaman, of Hardin.

For State Treasurer, Alfred P. Stone was renominated for the full term, Jonathan Harshman, of Montgomery, receiving fortytwo votes.

Robert G. Corwin, of Warren, John S.

Herrick, of Portage, and Moses H. Kirby, of Wyandot, were proposed for Secretary of State, but were all withdrawn before a ballot could be taken, and Addison P. Russell, the incumbent, was renominated by acclamation.

There was a lively scramble for the office of Member of the Board of Public Works, and it took three ballots to settle the contest by the nomination of John B. Gregory, of Scioto. The other candidates were Kent Jarvis, of Stark; Samuel Carpenter, of Fairfield; John Chamberlain, of Summit; William Smith, of Fayette; Harlan Chapin, of Washington; John Frew, of Coshocton, and Solomon G. Renick, of Pickaway.

Anson Smyth, of Lucas; Abraham C. Deuel, of Champaign; and John Lynch, of Pickaway, were proposed for School Commissioner. But one ballot was required to choose the candidate, Mr. Smyth being nominated.

John A. Bingham, Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, in presenting its report captivated the assemblage by his splendid eloquence. The platform was partly inspired by the Supreme Court's decision in the Fugitive Slave Case, and read as follows:

Relying confidently upon the intelligence and patriotism of the people and invoking earnestly the favor of the Supreme Ruler, we submit to the free men of Ohio the following declaration of Republican prin

ciples and measures:

1. We entertain an abiding confidence in the cardinal doctrines heretofore inscribed upon the banners of that party, and in defense of which it has never failed to secure from the free electors of the State an ardent and triumphant support; and, reaffirming the same, commend them anew to the discriminating consideration of the people.

2. That the people of Ohio demand a reorganization of the Judicial circuits of the United States, and that they be so constituted as to give to every section of the Confederacy its just and equal voice in the

Supreme Court of the United States; that provision be made for reversing the decisions of the District and Circuit Courts of the United States, by appeal or writ of error, and for securing fair and impartial juries in prosecutions for alleged violations of the law of the United States.

3. That proclaiming our determination rigidly to respect the obligations imposed upon the States by the Federal compact, we maintain the union of the States, the rights of the States and the liberties of the people; and in order to obtain these important ends we demand the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, as subversive of both the rights of the States and the liberties of the people and as contrary to the plainest duties of humanity and justice, and as abhorrent to the moral sense of the civilized world.

4. We claim for all citizens, native and naturalized, liberty of conscience, equality of rights, and the freest exercise of the right of suffrage; we favor whatever legislative or administrative reforms may be necessary to protect these rights, and guard against their infringement or abuse; and we oppose any abridgement whatever of the rights of naturalization, now secured by law to immigrants, and all discrimination between native and naturalized citizens, whether by amendment of a State Constitution or otherwise; and we condemn equally such discrimination whenever and wherever made, whether made by South Carolina or any other State.

5. That the developments of extravagance and corruption in the administration of National affairs impose upon us the important duty of casting out those who have proved faithless, and placing in power men who can be relied upon to reduce the public expenditures, lessen the burdens of taxation and protect the Treasury of the people.

6. That we regard all propositions and suggestions of every kind, by whomsoever made, for a revivar of the African slave trade, as shocking to the moral sentiments of the enlightened portion of mankind and that any action on the part of the Government or people conniving at, or legalizing, that horrid and inhuman traffic, would justly subject the Govern

ment and citizens of the United States to the reproach and execration of all civilized and Christian people

throughout the world

That we are in favor of granting to actual settiers one hundred and sixty acres of the public land free of charge, and we do most unqualifiedly condemn the course of the Pro Slavery Democracy in Congress, in of powing and defeating in the United States Senate the Homestead Bill, which was designed to secure free Fones for the poor man, whether of native or of foreign birth

8. We regard the usurpation and abuse of power by the last Legislature in repeated instances, and especially in making appointments to office in plain violation of the Constitution; in virtually abolishing the Board of Public Works, and placing the several divisions (so arranged for partisan purposes as to give the largest portion to the junior member) under the uncontrolled charge of individual members without responsibility to the whole Board; in making inadequate provision for the safe keeping of the public moneys; and in attempting to force upon the people of Cincinnati an arbitrary system of police, against their consent as deserving the reprobation of all good citizens.

9. That the Republicans of Ohio point with entire satisfaction and pride to the dignified, honest, faithful and judicious manner in which the present Executive and other officers of the State Government have discharged the duties of their respective positions; and that the course of Hon. B. F. Wade in the United States Senate and of the Republican members of Congress, in their able advocacy of the interests of the poor man in urging the passage of the Homestead Bill, and in their defense of the principles of freedom, meet our unqualified approval.

10. We cordially invite all men of all parties to join with us in earnest endeavors to restore the Government to its original purity, and to preserve the proud heritage of American institutions transmitted to us by our fathers, complete and unimpaired to those who may come after us.

The platform was unanimously adopted; and, notwithstanding the fact that the Con

vention had been in continuous session from two until eight o'clock, loud calls were made for ex-Governor Corwin, who had not been in touch with the new party prior to this time, and he responded with a witty and inspiring Republican speech. Mr. Dennison also made a short, happy address, and was followed by Mr. Giddings, who said:

When I heard Governor Corwin, I felt like welcoming him back as the prodigal son of ancient times was greeted by his father. When I heard Mr. Dennison I felt like excla ming with that one of old, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,' for," he added, "the Democracy have noth

"Wellington Rescue." The defendants had appealed to the Supreme Court to grant them relief from imprisonment, because of the alleged unconstitutionality of the law, and the feeling was so intense in regard to the matter in Northern Ohio (especially in the Western Reserve) that on receipt of the news of the decision the church bells were tolled in a number of towns. The indignation of Republicans was exceedingly great, and the Reserve delegates declared that they could not and would not support Swan. Accordingly, under the guidance of Chase and Giddings, they agreed to unite upon any candidate selected by Hamilton County. Swan was supported by delegates in the central and western portions of the State and his name was presented for renomination.

Gholson

For State Treasurer, Alfred P. Stone. was renominated for the full term, Jonathan Harshman, of Montgomery, receiving fortytwo votes.

Robert G. Corwin, of Warren, John S.

John A. Bingham, Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, in presenting its report captivated the assemblage by his splendid splendid eloquence. The platform was partly inspired by the Supreme Court's decision in the Fugitive Slave Case, and read as follows:

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History of the Republican Party in Ohio, Volume 1