Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 07.pdf/263

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The Green Bag.

abandon the party, Judge Thurman said no! stand by the ship, she will yet ride the storms. And even yet, in his eighty-first year, we hear that voice speaking the words of hope to the followers of Jackson and of Jefferson, saying: " We will again beat the 'Republicans, I know not whether it will be soon or late, yet beat them we will, because the principles of the Democratic party are correct." In 1866, he was elected to a seat in the United States Senate, and was re-elected at the end of that term to serve for another six years. He distinguished himself during his service in that body, becoming noted all over the entire country for his fearless inde pendence and as a champion of the people's rights. It is supposed that in the operation of what is known as the " Thurman Bill," relating to Pacific railroads, he saved to the people not less than one hundred millions of dollars. Many times Judge Thurman's name has been mentioned as a candidate for the highest office within the gift of the people, but through some cause he never received that well deserved honor; but that did not lessen his greatness. President Garfield appointed Judge Thurman, together with ex-Senator Howe of Wisconsin, and ex-Secretary of State Evarts of New York, to represent this country in the International Congress which met in Paris in the spring of 1881 . This gave him the long-wished-for opportunity to visit Europe in a representative capacity. While performing this mission he visited many foreign countries. He subsequently acted on an advisory committee to settle the differential rate between the great railroads of the country. In 1888 he was nominated for the office of Vice-President of the United States, but was defeated at the polls. No man in this country enjoys to so high a degree the confidence of the whole people as does Judge Thurman In all his long public career no breath of shame has ever touched his garments. Honest and thor oughly conscientious in all his dealing with

his fellowmen, his name is but another name for truth and public virtue. No State in this broad land can boast of one more noble in all that goes to make up true nobility than can Ohio, when she points to her honored citizen, Allen G. Thurman; and none was more brilliant than his judicial service. Never was a greater honor conferred upon a citizen than the banquet given in honor of his seventy-seventh birthday, at which one thousand plates were spread, which was the largest banquet ever given a private citizen in the world. At this gathering were dis tinguished citizens from all over the country. Judge Thurman is now quietly passing his declining years in Columbus. RUFUS P. RANNEY for many years was regarded by the Bar of Ohio as their ideal lawyer and judge. His life is a model for study and emulation. He was born in Mas sachusetts, October 30, 18 13. His father came to Ohio when Judge Ranney was but eleven years old, locating in Portage County, their home then being the log hut of the early settler, and their neighbors consisting chiefly of sturdy forest trees, wolves and bears. Inspired with a desire for education, Rufus, after having chopped enough wood for a neighboring merchant to purchase a Virgil and a razor, started for an educa tion. He was a student at Western Reserve College. Leaving college in 1834, he com menced the study of law with Joshua R. Giddings and Benjamin F. Wade, and after two and a half years was admitted to the bar in 1836, commencing practice at Warren, Ohio. He soon formed a partnership with Wade as Wade & Ranney, which continued ten years. He was a member of the Constitutional Con vention of 1851, and in March, 185i,was elected by the Legislature judge of the Supreme Court, to succeed Judge Avery, re signed. In October, 1851, after the adop tion of the new Constitution, Judge Ranney was chosen by the people as one of the judges of the new Supreme Court. He served in this capacity until 1856, when he resigned