Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-06-23

were rapidly passing and the ni.-
bustering of the opponents of the bill prom
ised TO defeat it, when Thurman arose with
roll call of the senate in his hand and said:
Mr.. President, understand that the oppo-
nents Of this bill are confident of victory.
They claim they have enough votes pledged
TO defeat the bill, and have here a roll call
Of the senate, with the names checked upon
it Of the senators who we are well advised
are relied upon by the agents of this power
full lobby to vote against it." He then said
in substance that he would watch the voting
upon the bill with great interest, and he
would like to see how well the vote would
tally with the list with which he had been
furnished The vote was taken. II tine sem
ators had pledged themselves TO vote against
the bill they saw they could not do it under
such suspicion, and they changed their
votes. The result was the bill passed the
senate. 1t passed the house. 1t became
law. Jay Gould left Washington, and
think be has been content since then TO let
his agents manage his congressional business.
came across letter the other day which
was printed some years ago and which was
signed by ex-senator Allen, of Chillicothe.
1t certifies to young Allen Thurman's charac-
ter and advises his admission to the bar. The
original of the letter exists among the archives
of the old court house at Chillicotha 1t
reads as follows:
hereby certify that Allen G. Thurman Is
person Of good moral character; that he has re-
sided In this state for the last fourteen years;
that he has regularly and attentively studied the
law, under my direction, l. this place, for and
fha farr,, af
the ist Of December last, and that believe him
to be person of sufficient knowledge and ability
TO discharge the duties Of an attorney and coun-
Selor at law. WILLIAM ALLEN,
Attorney at Law.
Chillicothe, o., June Q, 1895.
Hon. Allen G.. Thurman was admitted to
the bar in that city in the old court house,
soon to be torn down, on the 18th day of
June, 1885, just fifty years ago, and in his
Early days was regular attendant at the
court of the county. During the ten years
preceding his election to the national con-
gress he did not miss one term Of court
1t was his hard work at the law that broke
down his health. He was in with his uncle
William Allen as partner, and Allen devoted
all his time to politics and left all tie bust
ness to Thurman. He had four counties in bis
on horseback It is said that he worked
about eighteen hours day at study or prac-
tice, and that he rarely slept more than six
He lost his first law case, but the circum-
stances were such that it was no fault Of his
that be did So
Many curious stories are told Of his prac-
tice and at one time it is said that he was
hauled up by William d. Wesson, the mayor
Of Chillicothe, for swearing. The charge for
profanity at this time was dollar an oath.
Wesson had had friendly chat of an hour
with Thurman and upon getting back to his
Office after it had sent Thurman q Judgment
# fines of Sl7, for fifteen oaths and the cost Of
prosecution Thurman went with police
man to Wessons Office and said he wanted to
try the case himself. "All right" said the
mayor; "the recorder is ready to hear you"
"Well," said Thurman, II move you to set
aside this Judgment because you cannot try a
Ian for a crime unless he is present"
II will set aside the Judgment" said the
mayor; "but we have had a trial now and
the costs will be more You may go ahead
with the case"
"An right" replied Thurman; .'but where
are the witnessesr
"You don't need any witnesses, Mr.. Thur
man; you know you swore those fifteen oaths,
and heard you. There is no use of any wit
aessesn
"Well, then, / move to quash the indict-
ment," said Thurman SIN the first place, a
man cannot be made to commit himself, and
in the second judge cannot appear before
himself as a witness"
This reply took all the ground from under
the mayor, and Thurman did not pay the
fine. THOMAS j. ToDD.