The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-06-23

worse for their little nips They liked, how
ever, good quality OF stimulant, and they
were not ashamed Of il.
Allen q. Thurman made no money in the
United States senate II cost him more than
his salary 10 live at Washington, and his
honesty never has been questioned. He was
rather the foe Of the lobbyists than their
friend, and good story has been told OF
how he circumvented a railroad lobby few
years ago. think IL was in connection with
the passage Of the Thurman sinking fund
act The Gould Huntington lobby wanted
II defeated, and think that both Jay Gould
and C. p, Huntington were here They We're
confident that they were going TO defeat the
bill, and they claimed that they had forty
votes. 1t was near the last of the session and
Thurman knew that he would have TO pass
bill by midnight Of certain day or il
would not pass at all The hours
we're rapidly passing and the fiji
clustering of the opponents Of the bill prom
Ised to defeat 1t, when Thurman arose with
a roll call of the s nate 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 rol, call
of the senate, with the names checked upon
10 OF the senators who we are well advised
are relied upon by the agents Of this power
tul lobby 10 vote against IT," He then said
lin substance that he would watch the voting
upon the bill with great interest, and he
would like to see how we'll the vote would
tally with the list with which he had been
Furnished. The vote was taken. II the SEN
ators had pledged themselves TO vote against
the bill they saw they could not do il under
such a suspicion, and they changed their
votes, The result was the bill passed the
senate. II passed the house. 1t became
law. Jay Gould left Washington, and
think he has been content since then TO let
his agents manage his congressional business.
| came across n letter the other day which
was printed some years ago and which was
signed by ex-senator Allen, of Chillicothe.
1t certifies 10 young Allen Thurman's charac-
ter aud advises his admission to the bar. The
original of the letter exists among the archives
of the old court house at Chillicothe. 1t
reads as follows:
hereby certify that Allen G. Thurman is a
lperson of good moral character; that he has re-
that he has regularly and attentively studied the
law, under my direction. in this place, for and
during the term of about two years previous TO
the LIST of December last and that believe him
TO be person Of sufficient knowledge and ability
70 discharge the duties Of an attorney and coun.
selor at law. WILLIAM ALLEN,
| Attorney at Law.
Chlcothe, O., June 0, 1865
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 the bust
ness to Thurman. He had four counties in his
circuit and he rode from one court to another
on horseback 1t 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 he 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 Chillicotho, for swearing The charge for
profanity at this time was IA dollar an oath
Wesson had had a friendly chat of an hour
with Thurman and upon getting back to his
Office after it had sent Thurman n Judgment
IF fines of Sl1, for fifteen oaths and the cost of
prosecution. Thurman went with "a police
man 10 NELSON'S Office and said he wanted TO
try the case himself. IAN 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
man for n crime unless he is present"
II viii set aside the Judgment" said the
mayor; but we have had a trial now and
the costs viii he more. You may go ahead
with the case"
"All right" replied Thurman; "but where
are the Witnesses
"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
nesses"
well, then, move TO quash the indict-
ment," said Thurman. an the first place. a
man cannot be made to commit himself, and
in the second a judge cannot appear before
himself rs n witness"
This reply took all the ground from under
the mayor, and Thurman did not pay the
/ fine. THOMAS j. TODD.