dent of the council, by a slip of the tongue,
introduced me as "Senator Thurman." I said:

"I see that our friend, your president, mixes me up with Judge
Thurman on account of the fact that our names sound very much alike.
I consider such a mistake the highest compliment that could be paid
me; for the great ability, intense sagacity and entire purity of
your distinguished fellow-citizen, in the highest offices of the
land, have placed him, in my estimation, in the first rank of able
and noble men. I like to have my name called Thurman. It is my
opinion that the duties of city officers are of the very highest
importance. The most serious embarrassments of this or any other
country lie with the municipal governments. National government
is clearly defined. The government of the State of Ohio ought to
present no difficulties when administered by fair men of business
habits. But the eyes of the people are upon the difficulties of
municipal government. The scenes that occurred in Paris, in London,
in New York, and, to come nearer home, the scenes that occurred in
Cincinnati, all show the importance of good city government. I
say to you, although a Member of the Senate of the United States,
that the real difficulties of our government are no more serious
than the problems of city management and government. When Rome
became the scene of wrongs, crimes, and usurpation, the republic
crumbled. If ever this government be in danger, it will be because
of the misgovernment of our cities."

In the early part of April, 1885, I arranged for a trip via Chicago,
Des Moines, St. Louis, Texas and California, thence along the
Pacific coast to Tacoma and Seattle, and thence by the Northern
Pacific railroad to St. Paul, and home again. The party was composed
of Henry C. Hedges, George F. Carpenter, both citizens of Mansfield,
my nephew Frank Sherman, of Des Moines, and myself. It was arranged
that we were to meet in St. Louis. In the meantime I proceeded to
Des Moines, where I met my brother, Hoyt, and his son, Frank. Here
I met a reporter of the "Register" published in that city. He said
in his report that I seemed to feel happy at the prospect that for
two months at least I was going to be free from public cares, and
that I acted like a man who had absolutely thrown worry aside for
the time being. I told him my business was purely of a private
character, and that I had dismissed all politics from my mind. I
declined to