re-elected to the legislature of 1833, and was equally successful in
each of the succeeding years, until his election to Congress. He was
five successive years the representative of Thomaston. In 1834, when
Mr. Dunlap was nominated as the Democratic candidate for governor, Mr.
Cilley gave his support to Governor Smith, in the belief that the
substitution of a new candidate had been unfairly effected. He
considered it a stratagem intended to promote the election of Judge
Ruggles to the Senate of the United States. Early in the legislative
session of the same year, the Ruggles party obtained a temporary triumph
over Mr. Cilley, effected his expulsion from the Democratic caucuses,
and attempted to stigmatize him as a traitor to his political friends.
But Mr. Cilley's high and honorable course was erelong understood and
appreciated by his party and the people. He told them, openly and
boldly, that they might undertake to expel him from their caucuses; but
they could not expel him from the Democratic party: they might
stigmatize him with any appellation they might choose; but they could
not reach the height on which he stood, nor shake his position with the
people. But a few weeks had elapsed, and Mr. Cilley was the
acknowledged head and leader of that party in the legislature. During
the same session, Mr. Speaker Clifford (one of the friends of Judge
Ruggles) being appointed attorney-general, the Ruggles party were
desirous of securing the election of another of their adherents to the
chair; but, as it was obvious that Mr. Cilley's popularity would gain
him the place, the incumbent was induced to delay his resignation till
the end of the term. At the session of 1835, Messrs. Cilley, Davee, and
McCrote being candidates for the chair, Mr. Cilley withdrew in favor of
Mr. Davee. That gentleman was accordingly elected; but, being soon
afterwards appointed sheriff of Somerset County, Mr. Cilley succeeded
him as speaker, and filled the same office during the session of 1836.
All parties awarded him the praise of being the best presiding officer