having a political significance. The phrase "mending fences"
became a byword, and every politician engaged in strengthening his
position is still said to be "mending his fences."

Previous to that time mention had been made of me in different
parts of the country, not only for the nomination of Governor of
Ohio, but for President of the United States. Charles Foster and
Alphonso Taft were then spoken of as the leading candidates for
nomination as governor. Both were my personal friends and eminently
qualified to perform the duties of the office. Although I regarded
the position of governor as dignified and important, well worthy
the ambition of any citizen, still there were reasons which would
prevent my accepting the nomination if it should be tendered me.
I felt that to abandon my duties in the treasury department might
be fairly construed as an evasion of a grave responsibility and an
important public duty. I knew that President Hayes was very anxious
that I should remain in the office of secretary until the close of
his term. I did not desire to compete with the gentlemen already
named, and did all I could to discourage the movement short of
absolute refusal to accept the nomination. The newspapers of the
day, not only in Ohio but in other states, were full of favorable
comments upon my probable nomination for governor, and my correspondence
upon the subject was very large. I have no doubt that had I
consented to be a candidate both Foster and Taft would have acquiesced
in my nomination and I, in all human probability, would have been
duly elected as Foster was.

As for the nomination for the presidency I made no movement or
effort to bring it about, but then believed that General Grant
would, upon his return from his tour around the world, be nominated
and elected. The following letter will explain fully my position
in regard to the office of both governor and president:

"Washington, D. C., May 15, 1879.
"My Dear Sir:--I notice, with heartfelt thanks for your personal
kindness in the matter, the course of the 'Commercial' in regard
to my proposed candidacy for Governor of Ohio, and this induces me
to state to you frankly and fully, in confidence, the reasons why
I could not accept the nomination if tendered, and why I hope you
will give such a turn to the matter as will save me the embarrassment
of declining.

"In ordinary circumstance an election as Governor of Ohio, after
my life in the Senate,