The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-12

am asked to tell how ! came 70 get
into politics: what was NY first political
success: wha. I would advise young men
20 do who desire 20 achieve political sue
wards Of pubic life are sufficient &c justify
a poor man In going into politics.
I got into politics naturally enough and
yet acciden:aily-at least not purposely. I
| went into the army in 1SS2 when I was but
sixteen years of age. and before / had
completed my education. served three
years until the close OF the war. and then
at nineteen came home from the excite
ments OF the field and resumed my studies
Il was time Of great political events.
There was intense feeling. Great men were
on the stage. and great questions were en-
saging attention. We were working out
the settlements Of the war. I naturally
took interest in all that was occurring,
and thus became familiar with politics be-
fore quitting the academic life. I left
school Notwithstanding. without any
thought or engaging IN public affairs. On
the contrary / had a fixed determination
to adhere strictly and exclusively to the
practice OF the law. ! got along very well
In that profession until Gen. Grants second
campaign in lsI2. I was his great admir-
er. and could not resist the temptation TO
take the stump and make answer as best
/ could 10 the fierce charges of various
kinds that were made against him. This
was the putting of the hand TO the pillow
ard there was no turning back.
The demands for campaign work grew
with the years and before knew Il I
was being mentioned favorably in con-
nection with official positions and finally
In April, 1879. l had my first person al
political success in the shape Of an cleo
ton TO the office OF Judge of the superior
court OF Cincinnati. After three years
or agreeable official life became ill.,,
and on that account resigned I quickly
regained my health, however, and once
more engaged in the practice of law. I
had no thought OF returning TO pubic life
| was therefore surprised as we'll as graft
fed when the following year 1883. / was
nominated for governor without opposi-
| ton and by reclamation. Since then I
have had very active and at times
rather tempestuous experience In my
first campaign for governor the liquor
question was uppermost In the minds OF
the people. and / was defeated, but two
years later. In 1855. / was renominated
and elected. I was reelected In 1887 and
rencminated in 1889 for the fourth time
and for third term and again defeated
l was a candidate for United States
senator in 1892. but was defeated by Sena-
tor Sherman, who received 50 votes to my
Is. In 1896 Was elected 10 the senate
without Republican opposition
/ attended the national Republican con-
veEt.ons of 1884, 1855 1899 and 1896, each
time as delegate at large and each tim
chosen by reclamation. In 1854 and agai
in 1883 / was chairman or the Ohio dele
CATION. and both times presented the
name OF Senator Sherman as Ohio's ca1-
dldate for the presidency. In 1892 and
again in 1886 l was chairman Of the COM
mittee on resolutions, and as such each
time reported the national Republican
PLATFORM to the convention. I also, in
1896. paced President McK.nleys name
In nomination. Ia all these years / have