In 1889, he was appointed as United States District Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He resigned from this position in 1893 to run for Pennsylvania State Senate; he served in this body for one term until his election as Lieutenant Governor.
In 1889, he was assigned as United States District Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. In 1893, he relinquished this position to compete in the Pennsylvania State Senate election; he served in that body for one term before being elected Lieutenant Governor.