banks's success as a speaker convinced him to quit the mill. he first worked as an editor for two short-lived political newspapers; after they failed he ran for a seat in the state legislature in 1844, but lost. he then applied for a job to rantoul, who had been appointed collector of the port of boston, a patronage position. banks's job, which he held until political changes forced him out in 1849, gave him sufficient security that he was able to marry mary theodosia palmer, an ex-factory employee he had been courting for some time. banks again ran for the state legislature in 1847, but was unsuccessful.