In politics, Mr. Sulloway is an ardent Democrat, an earnest and enthusiastic worker in the party cause; and his labors in this direction have been largely instrumental in bringing his party into ascendency in Franklin, which was for many years one of the hardest-contested political battle grounds in the state, numbering, as it does, among its citizens several of the most active leaders of the two great parties. In 1871, although the town was then decidedly Republican, he was chosen a member of the state legislature from Franklin, and was re-elected the following year. In 1874, and again in 1875, he was elected to the same position. In the legislature, as everywhere else, he proved himself a thoroughly practical man, devoting himself actively to business, and leaving speech-making to those inclined to talk rather than work. In 1871, he served on the committee on elections; in 1872, upon railroads; in 1874 was chairman of the committee on manufactures, where his close acquaintance with manufacturing interests fitted him for most efficient service; and in 1875 was again a member of the elections committee. In 1874, when the Democratic party managers set to work systematically to win a victory in the state, Mr. Sulloway was nominated for railroad commissioner upon the ticket headed by James A. Weston for governor. Although there was no choice by the people in the election that year, the Democracy won a substantial victory, in that they secured a majority in the legislature, and the election of their candidates for governor and railroad commissioner followed at the hands of that body. To this triumph of his party in the state, the energetic labor of Mr. Sulloway in the general conduct of the campaign contributed in no small degree. As a member of the board of railroad commissioners for the term of three years, the last year as chairman of the board, he rendered the state efficient service, carrying into his official labors, so far as they extended, the same practical sagacity and judgment exercised in his own private business.