My Memories of Eighty Years

Published in 1924. An autobiographical account of the American orator, lawyer, politician, and railroad president who was a Republican member of the state legislature and then secretary of state of New York. In 1866 he refused the ministry to Japan in favor of serving the railroad interests of Commodore Vanderbilt. He began his career with New York Central lines in the position of general counsel, and eventually became chairman of the board. Noted as an after-dinner speaker, he used his oratorical abilities to deliver nominating speeches at the Republican conventions of 1888 and 1896. He was elected U.S. Senator but failed to secure reelection in 1910, partly because an investigation of life insurance companies revealed that he received an annual retainer from the Equitable Life Assurance Company.