PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION

In the preparation of this work the end of the text was reached on the 12th day of August, 1915, and it was there, Volume two, page 478, so recorded, but in printing the first edition this date was erroneously placed at the end of the preface which was not written until December 14, 1915.

Although this error was of but little moment yet, in order to conform strictly to the facts, I have taken advantage of the opportunity afforded by the printing of a second edition to correct it and a few others of like minor importance, chiefl-typographical.

No other changes have been made except to add two or three short foot-notes that need no explanation.

J. B. FORAKER.

March 23, 1916.

I

PREFACE

WAS a candidate at the Ohio primary election held August 11, 1914, for nomination as the Republican candidate for United States Senator, but was defeated. I recognized that as a result my political career was ended, and that an opportune time had come to answer affirmatively and in a practical way the oft-repeated request of my family and friends that I should some time write a sketch of my public life and services. I acted upon that thought.

What is now presented is intended primarily for their benefit. I know they will read and appreciate it. In view of the fact that I have written about past events in which there is no present interest, and on account of the exciting European War news now filling the newspapers and magazines and absorbing everybody's attention, I doubt if many others will, but that thought, although in mind, has had no influence in preparing these notes, because I have never thought of my work as a money making venture, and am not, therefore, concerned about the question whether or not it will prove a "good seller."

Except to give a brief account of my boyhood, service in the Union Army, and my school days, of which my family had no personal knowledge, I have confined myself to my public life and the leading events connected therewith.

Although I have had to divide time with professional engagements, and other labors; and although my family and I have been overtaken and sorely distressed in the midst of my work by sickness, sorrow, pain and death, yet by diligent effort I have found enough odd hours "between times" to live over again by the help of scrap books and other records the important incidents of fifty years of busy

life, and once more walk and talk with the friends of former days.

The average reader may think I have quoted too freely— in some cases at even tiresome length-from my various speeches, especially those with respect to Cuba, the Philippines, Statehood, the Rate Bill, the Brownsville Affray and other subjects.

I have done this because that was easier, and seemed better than to rewrite what was thus covered, since in that way might be presented not only the facts and arguments used, but also the spirit involved. Relatively these quotations are comparatively brief-not extended beyond what has seemed necessary to give an intelligent idea of the discussions to which they relate.

Necessarily much has been left untold, but enough will be found in these pages to give any careful reader of them an intelligent idea of not only what I did with respect to matters at the time deemed important but also to give a correct idea of the thoughts and circumstances by which that action was prompted and governed.

This work has been a severe tax on my time and strength, not so much to write the story I have told as to verify the facts and collect and arrange and set forth accurately and logically the data I have used.

Compared with the indescribably tragic, serious, and world menacing European war the record I have portrayed shrinks into insignificance as to its importance, and yet as I look back over it I am amazed at its volume-how much there is of it-and am compelled to wonder how I was able to do the work it represents, especially the Senatorial part, considering the many other duties that fell to my lot.

I have made many speeches that I have not mentioned at all; among them memorial addresses upon the life and public services respectively of General Grant, General Sherman, Chief Justice Chase,* Hon. John A. Bingham, General William H. Gibson, and the Andrews Raiders.* It would be agreeable, except for time and space, to say something

• Printed in the Appendix.

about them and the interesting occasions in connection with which they were delivered, but at this time that seems impossible.

Most of them will be found in a number of the leading libraries of the country, bound together with such of my speeches as have been printed in pamphlet form.

I acknowledge my indebtedness to Miss Caroline Hein. for her faithful and efficient work in taking and transcribing these notes, reading the proof, preparing the index and verifying the letters and other documents quoted.

CINCINNATI, December 14, 1915.

J. B. FORAKer.