Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-02-03
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
One Curious Result OF the Elec-
ton of 1872.
Hon. William 8. Grosbeck, Famous
Cincinnati Lawyer, Received One
Electoral College Vote for Vice
President.
BY E. j. EDWARDS.

The late William 8. Groebeck OF
Cincinnati, who died about ten years
ago, was esteemed at one time one of
the ablest of the very brilliant mem
beers Of the bar who practiced In the
states west OF the Allegheny noun
tains. He probably ranks with the
half-dozen greatest lawyers the west
has ever provided. Abraham Lincoln
had the highest regard for Grosbecks
abilities as lawyer. Edwin M. Stan
ton WAS sometimes associated with
him in important legal cases. He was
one Of the counsel associated with
William NJ. Evarts In the defense of
Andrew Johnson In the impeachment
proceedings and he was later q men,
Der of the international monetary COM
mission. At the height of his fame as
was regarded as perhaps the finest
example of the classic school Of ora
tory the west could furnish. He also
had the almost unique experience or
having received one vote In the elec-
toral college from an Ohio elector for
vice-president of the United States.
The late Samuel 8. Cox of Ohio. bet
ter known as Sunset" was close
personal friend OF Mr.. Grosbeck.
II ventured to say to Mr.. Grosbeck
when he returned to Cincinnati with
national fame after the impeachment
proceedings against President John
son were ended that | felt sure he
would become some day candidate
for the presidency and that l hoped
to live long enough to see him nomi-
mated and elected. Mr.. Grosbeck
smiled. not being displeased by my
remark, and said that no longer did
political parties nominate orators for
the presidency and, furthermore. that
II he had any capacity as speaker
1t was not OF the kind which would APP
peal to the masses.
EN- spite OF what you say | re-
piled, I have a prophetic intuition
that you will be nominated for the
presidency some time.
"In reply he told me that he had
always been convinced that there was
a profound truth in the statement
made by Senator Leigh Of Virginia In
the early days Of the republic that
the presidency was neither to be
sought nor to be found.
well, the incident passed out OF
my mind until In the summer OF 1873
There arose then great deal OF dis
satisfaction among certain liberal Re-
publicans over the nomination Of Hor.
ace Greeley for president by their
.arty. The dissatisfaction finally
caused a convention Of boiling liberals
ito be held, think at Cincinnati.
taking up the newspaper
one evening and reading that this
,bolting liberal Republican national
convention had nominated William s.
Grosbeck of Cincinnati for president.
i Immediately wrote line to him to
this effect: Congratulations; you see
my prophetic intuitions were cor
rect
"Mr. Grosbeck did ont take the
nomination very seriously. but think
he was amazed and perhaps little
gratified at one curious result Of the
election, which l presume Is now al
most entirely forgotten. When the
result Of the balloting in the electoral
colleges was announced. 1t was dis
covered that William s. Groebeck Of
Ohio had received one vote. not for
president. but for vice-president, from
Ohio. met him shortly afterward
and told him that he had gone into
history as the recipient of one vote
for the vice-presidency. His reply
was: That is nearer to the presidency
than / ever thought should get.
copyright. 1911. by f. ]. Edwards All
Rights Reserved)