The democratic national convention was held at St. Louis, June 6, 1888. Grover Cleveland was renominated for president with great unanimity and enthusiasm, and Allan G. Thurman of Ohio, for vice-president. The platform consisted in the making of a favorable contrast of the administration of President Cleveland with the policy of the republican party. The republican national convention convened in Chicago, June 20, continuing in session until the 25th. Gen. Benjamin Harrison of Indiana, was nominated for president on the eighth ballot. The following table of ballotings shows the names of the principal candidates and the various changes which occurred before the final result was reached: Levi P. Morton of New York, was nominated for vice-presi The vote on the other state-officers was about the same as for president. Gov. Fifer fell behind Harrison in Cook County 2344 votes, running about even with him in the other counties; Hoffman, jr., William M. Devine; 5th, Philip Scheckler, A. J. Denison; 6th, James McNamara, John Lake; 7th, Caleb C. Johnson, Charles Dunham; 8th, P. C. Haley, James Duncan; 9th, James Smith, Z. E. Patrick; 10th, Matthew Henneberry, Forest Cook; 11th, Quintin C. Ward, Delos P. Phelps; 12th, John Jones, J. M. Bush; 13th, J. W. Patton, Don M. Maus; 14th, James T. Hoblett, Jas. P. Lillard; 15th, H. S. Tanner, E. R. E. Kimbrough; 16th, James K. Dickinson, W. F. Beck; 17th, T. B. Murphy, Thomas M. Thornton; 18th, A. S. Wilderman, W. E. Wheeler; 19th, W. S. Cantrell, T. E. Merritt; 20th, William H. Green, George W. Hill. RESULT OF THE ELECTION OF 1888. 923 while Palmer ran ahead of Cleveland in Cook County 2969, and in the other counties 3966, receiving in the State 6935 the most votes. The greater part of this gain evidently came from the prohibitionist and union-labor voters, their candidates for governor falling nearly this much behind their nominees for president. Gov. Oglesby retired from a second term of four years' service in the executive chair, January 14, 1889, and perhaps no better commentary can be given of his administration than that uttered by his successor in his inaugural address, as follows: "For more than a third of a century, Richard J. Oglesby has been prominent in the civic and military history of Illinois. In all that time, no call of patriotic duty remained unheeded; no cause, embracing the public weal, found him a laggard. In wars, his heroic breast stood a bulwark between the great republic and her enemies. To cement the Union of the fathers, he shed his blood. As a member of the state and national senate, and as governor of this Commonwealth-to which latter office, he received the rare compliment of three elections -he proved himself well able by wise statesmanship to preserve in council, what his intrepid valor helped him to win in the field. Strong in attachment to party and living in times of partisan strife, his career yet exemplifies the maxim that 'He serves his party best who serves his country best.' Retiring voluntarily from the scenes of his public labors and triumphs, he goes from us crowned with honors and followed by the gratitude and affection of his fellow-citizens." CHAPTER XLVIII Administration of Gov. Fifer-The Thirty-sixth General OSEPH WILSON FIFER, the governor elected in 1888, is of German descent, and was born in Stanton, Augusta County, Virginia, October 28, 1840. His father was a brickand stone-mason, and also a farmer. The latter removed to Mc Lean County, Illinois, in 1857, where he purchased land, which Joseph helped to improve, at the same time aiding him in the manufacture and laying of brick. When the civil war broke out, his youthful patriotism was aroused, and he enlisted as a private in Company C, of the 33d Regiment of Illinois Infantry, sometimes known as the Normal Regiment. In the assault on Jackson, in 1863, a minie-ball passed entirely through his body, inflicting a wound which was at first considered mortal. He recovered slowly, and when again able to walk, returned to his regiment despite the remonstrance of friends; and rendered faithful and valiant service until the expiration of the three years for which he had enlisted. Up to this time, his only opportunities for an education had been such as were offered by an attendance upon the commonschools, which was rendered more or less intermittent owing to the fact that his time was required to help the family to a living. He had, however, saved a goodly proportion of his meagre pay, and determined to devote this sum toward obtaining an education, the need of which he more and more keenly felt. Accordingly, he entered the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, maintaining himself frugaily by the labor of his hands, as opportunity offered, where he remained until he was graduated in 1868. The following year, after finishing his study of the law with the firm of Prince and Bloomfield, he was admitted to the bar. Success came to him as the reward of indomitable |