 During the two sessions of the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth General Assemblies, he advocated the passage of laws taxing franchises, and upon learning that his efforts might prove unavailing, he transmitted a special message upon the subject.He was also instrumental in the passage of laws to check trusts in their encroachments upon smaller industries.He devoted much of his political energy to the support of William Jennings Bryan in the 1900 presidential election, and is largely credited with Bryan's substantial victory in Missouri.