ends in my home county, in which the State Capitol is located,
waited on me and expressed a desire that I should allow my name to
be used as a candidate for the Legislature. I made known my resolve
not to enter politics again; but they based the proposal upon a
ground that made it extremely difficult and embarrassing not to
accede, to-wit: they had been with me for anything I had ever
wanted, and now they wanted me to reciprocate, and do as _they_
desired. I did not feel that I could disregard their wishes, and
so yielded to their demand; it was nothing less.

They then went to the Hon. Milton Hay, who was a great lawyer, and
as good a man as I ever knew, and made the same demand upon him.
He was under no special obligation to yield to their wishes, for
he had never asked for office at the hands of the people. He
declined; but they also declined to take "No" for an answer. The
result was that both Hay and I became candidates, were both elected,
and the contest over the removal of the State Capitol was renewed.

I was chosen Speaker. Mr. Hay was the foremost lawyer of the
Legislature. One million dollars was reported from the proper
committee of the House, and passed without opposition, and the work
on the Capitol was once more taken up.

Finding myself again in politics, I determined to become a candidate
for Governor. To be successful, it seemed to be important that I
should go back into the Legislature, which I did. After my re-
election I was supported by the Republican party for Speaker for
my second term.

However, the House of Representatives was in control of the
opposition, composed of Democrats and Independents, the latter
being more generally wrong than the Democrats, and much less
reliable. The combination organized the House, the Hon. Elijah
Haines being elected Speaker, and the Republicans casting their
united vote for me. This Legislature has ever since been known as
the "Haines Legislature," the most notorious Legislature ever known
in the State. Haines was a man of ability--especially, to stir up
strife and produce confusion.

The Legislature convened in the Winter of 1875. I was nominated
for Governor early in 1876, elected in November of the same year,
and sworn in January, 1877.

On re-examining my inaugural address, I find much stated there that
is at the present time, and must long remain, of historic interest
to the people of Illinois; but since its length precludes reproductio