was born in 1828. He was a farmer's son and attended the common schools. In February, 1844, he removed to Kansas, where he engaged as a live-stock dealer, but in 1852 returned to Ohio. In 1878 he was

elected Commissioner of Union County. He was also a member of the State Board of Equalization for ten years. In 1879 he was elected Member of the State Board of Public Works, and served but one term.

UPO

PON his accession to office President Hayes reversed the policy of General Grant with regard to the military support accorded the State Governments of Louisiana and South Carolina. Almost immediately the Republicans in those States were illegally and with force deposed from the offices to which they had been elected and their places usurped by their Democratic opponents. The President's action was not approved by a majority of the Northern Republicans, though not openly and vehemently condemned at the time, because the country had become very weary of the seemingly interminable strife between the contending forces. The manner of establishing home rule" by the Southern Democrats was understood to mean, by the advocates of free and fair elections, government by fraud and violence. However, they were willing that the professions of the Democrats be put to the test, but the result justified their fears that the negroes would not be allowed to vote as they desired in many portions of the South. The truth of this was demonstrated at the Congressional election of 1878, when, out of 106 Southern Representatives, only four Republicans were given certificates of election, though many more were undoubtedly elected. During the first two years of President Hayes' Administration, the National House was controlled by the Democrats, but a

Republican Senate acted as a check to political legislation. For the last two years there were Democratic majorities in both the Senate and House. Then came the attempt to revive the controversy over the election of 1876 by the formation of the Potter Investigating Committee. This, so far from being beneficial to the Democrats, as they had anticipated and making it an issue in the campaign of 1880, had the contrary effect of promoting harmony among the Republicans and solidifying them and forcing them to defend the President's Southern policy, and, during the campaign of 1880, there was but little attention paid to the claim that Hayes was not the legal President.

The President and Congress not being in accord, not many beneficial laws were enacted during the Administration-in the last half especially, and but few political measures were attempted. In April, 1880, in passing the Deficiency Appropriation Bill, Congress attached riders which, if approved, would have eliminated vital sections and materially changed other portions of the Elections' Law. This was a revival of the course pursued by the preceding Congress, in the spring of 1879, but the President, on May 4th, returned the bill with his veto. Much to the astonishment and gratification of the public, the bill was shorn of its obnoxious attachments and became a law

with the President's approval. This was regarded as a Republican victory, and was the last attempt at political legislation for the year. The vetoes of President Hayes were peculiarly annoying to the Democracy of Ohio, by whom they were unqualifiedly condemned by resolutions at their State Conventions, the National Convention adopting their form of protest later. Thus the antagonisms between the Executive and Legislative branches of the Government, and the prosperity which had returned with the resumption of specie payments, were the means of giving the Republicans much brighter prospects for success in 1880 than were noticeable in 1876, or were anticipated even a year previous.

On Tuesday evening, January 6, 1880, the Republican members of the General Assembly of Ohio met in caucus in the hall of the House of Representatives, at Columbus, to nominate a candidate for United States Senator. Charles Townsend, of Athens, named James A. Garfield. Peter F. Stryker, of Hamilton, after paying a high tribute to Stanley Matthews, read a dispatch from him in which he said he withdrew from the contest satisfied that the choice of the people was Mr. Garfield." Benjamin Eggleston, who had previously advocated the nomination of Alphonso Taft, in a five minutes' speech praised his candidate, Stanley Matthews and James A. Garfield, closing by announcing Mr. Taft's withdrawal. John S. Jones, of Delaware, moved that General Garfield be nominated by acclamation as the Republican candidate for United States Senator, which was done, and the nomination confirmed with three rousing cheers. Francis B. Pond, of Morgan, Chairman of the [caucus, was directed to notify General Garfield of the action of the

Republicans of the General Assembly. The next evening the Democratic members, by unanimous vote, nominated Allen G. Thurman as his own successor. On Tuesday, January 13th, both houses voted separately for United States Senator. In the Senate 20 votes were cast for James A. Garfield and 13 for Allen G. Thurman. In the House, Garfield received 66 votes to 44 for Thurman. On Wednesday they met in joint convention, when Garfield received 86 votes to 58 for Thurman, the extra vote having been cast by a Democratic Senator who was absent when the vote was taken on the previous day.

The call for the Republican State Convention was issued early in the year, and, in addition to the usual list of officers, four delegates and four alternates-at-large and two Presidential electors-at-large were required to be chosen. The districts were also asked to choose their National delegates and alternates, so that they could be reported at the same time. As Senator John Sherman was an active candidate for the Presidency, and as other candidates, particularly Mr. Blaine, had followers in the State, there was a great deal of excitement politically from the first of January to the date of the State Convention. Indeed it may be said that in Ohio there was a full year of political excitement, for, after the November election, owing to Garfield's election to the Presidency, the Senatorial question again occupied the attention of Republicans until the Legislature met the following January.

Charles Foster was inaugurated Governor of Ohio, Monday, January 12th. Probably the largest crowd ever assembled at an inauguration was present with a spectacular parade and a great military display ex

ceeding in brilliancy and size that in honor of Governor Bishop in 1878, which had been noteworthy.

A complimentary reception to Senatorelect Garfield was held in the Senate Chamber on the evening of January 14th, which was attended by the politicians generally and at which addresses were made by Governor Foster, ex-Governor Bishop and Senator-elect Garfield.

In accordance with their custom since the organization of the party, the Prohibitionists held the first State Convention of the year, convening at Naughten Hall, Columbus, Thursday, February 19th. The ticket nominated was headed by William H. Doan, of Cuyahoga County, as the candidate for Secretary of State.

The Republican State Convention was held in Comstock's Opera House, Columbus, Wednesday, April 28th. Owing to the very large vote cast for Governor Foster in 1879, this was the greatest delegate convention called in the State up to that time; and in addition to the delegates and alternates there were hundreds of prominent Republicans in attendance, scarcely a county but what sent its quota. It was considered the most strongly representative body that ever assembled in Ohio. There was a spirit pervading the assemblage that made the delegates aggressive and the contests for the various nominations were hotly maintained throughout almost the entire ticket.

Arthur L. Conger, Chairman of the State Central Committee, called the delegates to order at about ten o'clock. Before presenting the temporary officers he made a few remarks in favor of harmony. He advised against personalities, urging that nothing be done but that which would best insure a great

Republican victory in October, followed by a more sweeping one in November. He concluded by presenting Rev. Benjamin W. Arnett, of Columbus, who offered prayer.

John R. Malloy, of Franklin County, was presented as Temporary Secretary and the introduction of William McKinley, Jr., of Stark County, as Temporary Chairman followed a little out of the usual order of proceedings.

Major McKinley addressed the Convention at some length, and when in the course of his remarks he referred to Secretary Sherman, there was a storm of applause which continued until voices were worn out and delegates were weary from shaking flags, hats, canes and handkerchiefs. A furor of ear-splitting sound" also greeted the casual use of the name of James G. Blaine.

"The Democratic party," said Major McKinley, "means to win the next Presidency by lawful means if it can, but, failing by such means, intends to capture it careless of methods and indifferent as to the instrumentalities employed. The Democrats are determined upon attaining power, if by the will of the people, well and good; if not, then in opposition and in defiance thereof-if that can be accomplished. If you have any doubt of their purposes permit me to remind you that in 1876, in the Presidential struggle of that year, when beaten fairly and honestly by a constitutional majority, unwilling to acquiesce in the result, a distinguished leader, himself a candidate, sought to buy electors of the States of Florida, Louisiana and Oregon, sufficient in number to reverse the result and defeat the will of the people as lawfully expressed." He then cited his hearers to the attempt of the Democracy to steal Maine;" to "the unseating of Washburne, Representative from Minnesota, who was elected by 3,013 majority in 1878, and seating a Democrat in his stead in a district which never in its history went Democratic;" again in Florida, "where Mr. Bisbee was declared defeated after the Supreme Court of the State had decided unanimously that he was elected and a Democratic Attorney General had declared his title perfect." He then drew a contrast between the elections of 1872 and 1876 in various districts in Mississippi, Georgia and North Carolina. He also expressed his belief that after March 4, 1881,

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