Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-10-20
IunGE BERNARD RRouGH

It rarely happens that the presid-
ing officer of a nominating conven-
ton is required to accept the candi-
dacy that the convention IS called upon
to I'LL. Yet tnat is precisely the way
that Judge Brough came to be ele-
waited to the Common Pleas Bench.
The story is interesting because it
shows the unexpected manner in
which career may be inaugurated.
In the fall of 1906, Judge Brough,
who is a candidate for Judge of the
Court of Appeals at the coming cleo
tion, was Judge of the Police Court
in Toledo.
A vacancy on the Common Pleas
Bench was to be filled, the nomination
to be made by the delegates from the
several counties lucas, Ottawa, Erie
and Sandusky) which made up the
District.
On the day of the convention, and
just before it convened, the Judge
was asked by the Committee to be
the Chairman of the convention.
This did not agree with his plans
for the day, but feeling that he could
not decline such an honor, he cancell-
ed his other arrangements and pro-
x,
AS he walked over he considered
the brief remark he should make in
accepting the Craftsmanship, and de-
cided that he should not be at all
backward in advising the convention
as to the Importance and responsible
ity of its task.
So he talked frankly and vigorous
" when the time came. He spoke of
the high standing and ability of the
men selected at previous conventions
and showed the convention that thus
the fight had been half won in former
years, before the conventions had
adjourned.
In fact, he adjured the convention
to choose an exceptional man, one
who should command public confidence
and who, when elected, would reflect
credit upon the delegates who had
nominated him.
When the balloting began a dead
lock Immediately resulted and the
hours wore on until late in the after
noon without any signs of a break
in force to either of the leading candi-
dates.
Occasionally votes were cast for
Judge Brough himself, but as several
members Of the Bar had been similar
| ly complimented he did not take the
matter seriously.
However, votes for Brough began
to grow more frequently as the hour
grew later, and as a nomination by
that convention did not at all coin
eide with his plans for the future he
decided that if a nomination seemed
iminent he would address the conven-
ton and in neat little speech with
draw his name.
Well, the time came; and the Judge,
stepping to the front of the platform,
said: Gentlemen, before we pro-
ceed any further with this ballot /
have a few words to say to the con-
vention. Up to this time I have
treated the votes which have been
cast for me as purely complimentary
and l believe they were so intended.
The matter has now become serious,
however, and 1 want to say few
words to you before we proceed any
further. l don't desire" but he was
permitted to proceed no further The
convention yelled for five minutes, and
Judge Brough finally threw up his
hands and went and sat down.
On that ballot he was nominated
almost unanimously, while he sat
painfully calling to mind his remarks
of the morning; checking over the
well-nigh super human qualifications
he had insisted the candidate should
possess.
However, the District seemed to
have no doubt as to the judgment
evinced by the nominating convention,
for Judge Brough was elected-in 1912
so he is still serving on his second
term. Adv.