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14 JAMBS BAIRD WEAVER

later became one of the richest men in the State,
took a fancy to him, and when he indicated his
intention of leaving, Mr. Manning offered him
increased pay and an interest in the business.
Weaver, however, declined to accept the offer,
having decided to earn his living by means
other than tho'se of manual labor. Ability to
speak in public and a taste for discussion and
controversy turned him towards the study of
law. At the same time the experiences of Ms
early life, coupled with a deep respect for his
father, who was both farmer and mechanic,
formed an abiding influence in the life of James
Baird Weaver: it gave to him an interest in
and sympathy with both farmers and artisans
that had much to do with the shaping of Ms
career.⁷

In the autumn of 1855 Weaver entered the
Cincinnati Law School from which he gradu-
ated the following year. His favorite instruc-
tor was the professor of legal rights, Bellamy
Storer, for whom later he named his first son
James Bellamy. The examination preparatory
to the receipt of his diploma was conducted by
a committee of five; and the certificate, which
bears the date of April 14, 1856, was signed
among others by Rutherford B. Hayes, who
afterwards became President of the United
States. While at the law school Weaver's ex-
penses were not high. One hundred dollars,



	14 JAMBS BAIRD WEAVER later became one of the richest men in the State, took a fancy to him, and when he indicated his intention of leaving, Mr. Manning offered him increased pay and an interest in the business. Weaver, however, declined to accept the offer, having decided to earn his living by means other than tho'se of manual labor. Ability to speak in public and a taste for discussion and controversy turned him towards the study of law. At the same time the experiences of Ms early life, coupled with a deep respect for his father, who was both farmer and mechanic, formed an abiding influence in the life of James Baird Weaver: it gave to him an interest in and sympathy with both farmers and artisans that had much to do with the shaping of Ms career.⁷ In the autumn of 1855 Weaver entered the Cincinnati Law School from which he gradu- ated the following year. His favorite instruc- tor was the professor of legal rights, Bellamy Storer, for whom later he named his first son James Bellamy. The examination preparatory to the receipt of his diploma was conducted by a committee of five; and the certificate, which bears the date of April 14, 1856, was signed among others by Rutherford B. Hayes, who afterwards became President of the United States. While at the law school Weaver's ex- penses were not high. One hundred dollars,