death. He made a
splendid record as United States Attorney, and am informed that
during his incumbency of that office, he never lost a case before
a jury. Very unfortunately, just when he reached the goal of his
highest ambition, a Federal judgeship, his health failed. I have
never for a moment doubted that had he lived and retained his health
he would have made an enviable record on the bench.

There is no better man in Springfield than John W. Bunn. He has
been my friend ever since I first went to Springfield. He was a
friend of Lincoln, and there was no one in Springfield in whom
Lincoln placed more confidence. I believe that one of the first
appointments he made, after entering the office of President, was
that of John W. Bunn as Pension Agent at Springfield. He was the
trusted friend of the War Governor, Yates, and performed many
important duties for him during the Civil War. From those early
days down to the present, every one has had confidence in John W.
Bunn and in his integrity and honesty. I am glad to say that he
is still living as one of the foremost citizens of his city.

The Hon. James A. Connelly, who for two terms represented the
district in Congress, was a very influential and popular member of
Congress; and being a good lawyer he was a prominent member of the
Judiciary Committee of the House. He is a forcible speaker, and
has always taken an active part in behalf of the party in campaigns
in the State.

Mr. E. F. Leonard--Frank Leonard, as he was familiarly known among
his friends--was my secretary when I was Governor of Illinois. He
was later president of the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railroad,
stationed at Peoria, and I have always believed him to be one of
the best railroad presidents in the State. He was particularly
noted for his sound common sense and as a scholarly, well posted
man in public affairs. I do not think he ever said or did a foolish
thing in his life. He has retired from business, and lives quietly
and elegantly, being a man of wealth, at the beautiful little
college town of Amherst, Massachusetts, in the vicinity of which
he was born.

One of the oldest men in Springfield is Edward Thayer. He has been
a merchant in that town ever since I first went there, and was
engaged in business some years before that, I believe. His father
was living when I first went to Springfield, and was a very refined,
cultivated, elegant Eastern gentleman. Mr. Thayer, although ove