g as upon this occasion.

The passing of Cleveland marks an epoch. He was indeed a striking
figure in American history. Take him all in all, we may not
look upon his like again. The "good citizenship," an expression
frequently on his lips, to which he would have his countrymen
aspire, was of the noblest, and no man had a clearer or loftier
conception of the responsible and sacred character of public station.
With him the oft-quoted words, "A public office is a public trust,"
was no mere lip-service. His will be a large place in history. His
administration of the government will safely endure the test of
time.

"Whatever record leaps to light,
He never can be shamed."

In victory or defeat, in office or out, he was true to his own self
and to his ideals. His early struggles, his firmness of purpose, his
determination that knew no shadow of wavering, his exalted aims,
and the success that ultimately crowned his efforts have given him
high place among statesmen, and will be a continuing inspiration
to the oncoming generations of his countrymen.

XIX
A UNANIMOUS CHOICE FOR SPEAKER

A MEETING OF PROSPECTIVE SPEAKERS--DR. ROGERS WITHIN SIGHT OF
THE GOAL OF HIS AMBITION--HE STATES THE GROUND OF HIS HOPE--THE
FOUNDATION PROVES TO BE ONLY SAND--A TEMPEST CALMED BY THE DOCTOR.

At a banquet in Washington in the winter of 1880-81, a large number
of Representatives were present. Among the number were Reed,
McKinley, Cannon, and Keifer. These gentlemen were all prospective
candidates for the Speakership of the then recently elected House of
Representatives. The best of feeling prevailed, and the occasion
was one of rare enjoyment and mirth. Each candidate in turn was
introduced by the toast-master as "the Speaker of the next House,"
and in his speech each claimed all the others as his enthusiastic and
reliable supporters. The apparent confidence of each candidate in
the support of his rivals reminded Mr. Cannon of the experience of
an Illinois legislator, which he requested his colleague from
the Bloomington district to relate.

That the reader may appreciate the incident then related, some
mention must be made of Dr. Thomas P. Rogers of Bloomington. He
was a gentleman of the old school, a politician from the beginning,
of inflexible integrity and an earnestness of purpose that knew no
shadow of turning. He was as devoid of any possible touch of humor
as was his own marble bust of Thomas Jefferson. H