The National tribune., 1897-04-01

In the earlier wears of his residence IN Omaha
Mr.. Thurston was member of the City Council.
and sfterward was City Attorney for several
years He was also a member of the Legisla-
ture in 1875. holding the position of Chairman
of the Judiciary Committee and Acting Speaker.
In 1884 he headed the Nebraska delegation to
the Republican National Convention. where he
seconded the nomination of Gen. Logan for
Vice. President, and otherwise took a prom
inent part in the proceedings. He was Tenn
porary Chairman of the Republican National
Convention of 1883. and on that occasion de-
livered an address which established his fame SIS
m orator on National basis. Ever since that
time he has been one of the most popular cam
paign orators in the United States. Having
been for many years, by virtue of his ability as
an organizer and an orator. one of the recogized
leaders of the Republican party in Nebraska, it
is but natural that Mr.. Thurston's name has
been frequently mentioned in connection with
the United States Senatorship.
In 1881 he was q strong candidate for that
honorable position. and in 1893 received the
Republican caucus nomination. During that
long and exciting contest before the Legislature
he received the party vote, lacking but FIVE of
an election. He was defeated by combina-
ton of Populists and Democrats. In 1889 he
was urged by almost the entire West for .
Cabinet position, and was prominently men
toned for nomination for Vice President on
the ticket with Blaine, in 1892 At the OPEN
ing of the campaign in 1894. when w. J. Bryan
opened bis aggressive campaign for the United
States Senate. the standard of the Republican
party of Nebraska was by common consent
placed in the hands of Mr.. Thurston. He
held a series of debates with the Democratic
leader. and the result is known to all men.
At the end of the campaign it was found that
Mr.. Bryan's attempt 10 gain the Senatorial
election by the fusion of the Populists and
Democrats had failed. The Republicans of the
State demanded Mr.. Thurston's election SO
unanimously that no other candidate appeared,
and long before the Republican caucus WAS
held, his election was certainty. He received
the unanimous vote of the party in the caucus
and in the Legislature. In the campaign of
1896 Senator Thurston espoused the cause of
Maj. VIM. Mckinley. and was one of his warm
est supporters up to and including the ST. Louis
Convention, 1t which time he was made the
Permanent Chairman, and his signal ability in
directing that great body of Republicans is
still remembered with enthusiasm by all those
who sat within the sound of his soBorous and
well-modulated voice.
He was also the Chairman of the committee
which notified Maj. Mckinley of his nomina-
ton. and the speeches Oh assuming the chair
rs Chairman of the Republican National Con-
vention and as the spokesman of the Nominal.
ing Committee are regarded as models of elo-
quence. terseness and comprehensive grasp of
the great questions which dominated in the
campaign which closed on Nov 3 by the cleo.
ton of Maj. Mckinley to the highest Office in
the gift of the people.
Senator Thurston mas wife and three chill.
dreD, and his home ia q model of comfort and
domestic felicity. He has been q member of
the Sons OF Veterans for years, and is an en-
thusiast for the Order.