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 became United States District Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. In 1893, he resigned from this position to contest for a seat in the Pennsylvania State Senate; he served there for one term before being elected Lieutenant Governor.