The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-13

Young Thurman returned to Chillicothe
and entered into partnership with his
uncle with the result that he soon had
one of the best practices in Ohio, which
was abandoned to him on his uncle's
entrance into politics.
In 1914 Thurman was nominated Tor
Congress by the Democracy of his dis
trict and was triumphantly elected, en-
tering the House on December i, 1910,
as its Youngest member He declined
a denomination, and continued to prac-
tice at the bar until 1881, when he was
elected to the Supreme Court of ONO,
in which position he remained for four
years. during the last two of which he
was Chief Justice. At the end of his
term Judge Thurman went back to his
practice, in which he continued until
1867, when he received the unanimous
nomination of the Democratic ConVen-
ton to be Governor of Ohio.
Rutherford 3. Hayes was his OPP
pouent. and for sixty-fiye successive
DAYS. in one of the closest and most
exciting campaigns the State had ever
known, they opposed each other on the
stump. Thurman was defeated but he
cut down the Republican majority
from 1900. which had been gained
two years before, to less than 3OOO.
Although Mr. Hayes was elected Gov
ernor. the Legislature elected with him
was Democratic. and Thurman was at
ionce named a United States Senator TO
take the place Of Ben Wade, there being
at that time only seven Democrats IN
the Senate He took his seat on March
4. 1869. and at once assumed the posi-
ton of leader of the small Democratic
minority. His speeches on the Geneva
award bill and on the Pacific railway
funding bill attracted general puphc
notice and applause.
Mr.. Thurman served two terms IN the
Senate, closing his twelve years OF serv-
ice On March 4, 1881, with reputation
which stood among the highest for jul
dicial fairness. and for dignity and
strength in debate, especially upon
questions of constitutional law. Dur
ing his Senatorial career he was one OF
the Judiciary Committee ana OF the
Committee on Private Land Claims,
and did good service on both. He was
the author of the Act to compel Paclflc
railroads to fulfill their obligations to
the Government, known as the Thur
man Act"
Ir James G.. Blaine's Twenty Years
of Congress-" in speaking OF the de-
ceased. he said: Mr.. Humans rank
in the Senate was established the day
he took his seat, and was never lowered
! during. the period of his service.
At the close of his term in the Senate
| Mr.. Thurman returned to his law prac-
tice. In 1886 he was nominated by the
! Democratic caucus of the Legislature
for Senator but was defeated. In 1854
his name was brought forward for the
Presidential nomination, but to no pur-
nose. and in 1887 he was offered place
or the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, but declined it. He was still the
| modest Roman of them ALL" the popu-
| lar idol of his party and the personifica-
ton of all that was best in it, and in
! 1883 he was nominated for Vice
President by reclamation on the ticket
with Grover Cleveland, the two being
beaten by Harrison and Morton.
Judge Thurman married, in 1914, Mrs.
Tompkins. born Mary Dun, the daugh-
ter of Walter Dun. a wealthy merchant
OF Ohio She was born in 1911. There
were several children, of whom the son.
Allen Thurman, has attained some emf
nence in Ohio politics.