In addition to his extensive law practice, he was for a time the president of the Palisades Bank of Yonkers, and also a director of several large corporations.

In 1868 he retired from the practice of law and with bis family made a long tour iu Europe. He made a second trip in 1870, was present at the declaration of the Franco-Prussian War, and enjoyed special opportunities of visiting the armies of the contending powers.

Previous to his departure for Europe he had received and declined a nomination for State Senator, but upon his return, in the fall of 1870, was elected member of the Assembly by a very large majority, and was the first member other than a Democrat who had been elected from the district for over thirty years. The weight of his ability and influence was soon felt and he soon became a leader in the Legislature and in his party, devoting much of his time and etlbrt to opposing the measures of the "Tweed Ring," then in the height of its power, but destined to a sudden and disiistrous fall. In March, 1871, he wiis instrumental in organizing the Young Men's State Republican Association, the object of which was to unite discordant elements and end the strifes which had impaired the usefulness of the party. This organization very naturally chose Mr. Seribner for its president, and having shown himself a competent and faithful leader, he was nominated by acclamation at the State Convention in Syracuse, in 1871, for Secretary of State, a nomination which was signally confirmed at the succeeding election by a majority of over twenty thousand. Soon after the close of the Legis-