At home Mr. Rice has filled many positions of prominence in business and social life.  He was for some years president of the board of trade, and of the National Sailors’ Home.  He was president of the great Peace Jubilee, held in Boston in 1869, the most remarkable musical entertainment ever held in America, embracing an orchestra of twelve hundred instruments, and a chorus of twenty thousand voices.  The opening address of this jubilee was made by Mr. Rice.  He was also the chairman of the committee to procure the equestrian statue of Washington for the Public Garden in Boston, and of the committee that erected the statue of Charles Sumner.  He delivered an appropriate address at the unveiling of each of these works, and also at the unveiling of the statue of Franklin, erected during his mayoralty in front of the City Hall.  He has also been president of the Boston Memorial Society, and of the Boston Art Club, as well as of many other associations.

Mr. Rice was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1875, and was twice re-elected.  His career as governor was characterized by a comprehensive and liberal policy in State affairs.  While he was always ready to listen to the opinions and wishes of other men, his administration was strongly marked by his own individuality.  His messages to the Legislature were clear and decisive in recommendation and discussion, and his policy in regard to important measures was plainly defined.  He never interfered with the functions of the co-ordinate branches of the government; on the other hand, he was equally mindful of the rights of the executive.  Always ready to co-operate with the Legislature in regard to measures which the welfare and honor of the Commonwealth seemed to him to justify, he did not hesitate to apply the executive veto when his judgment dictated, even in relation to measures of current popularity.  He thoroughly reorganized the militia of the State, thereby greatly improving its character and efficiency, besides largely diminishing its annual cost.  His appointments to office, though sometimes sharply criticised, proved, almost without exception, to have been judiciously made, and in many instances exhibited remarkable insight into the character and aptitude of the persons appointed.

Although elected a Republican, Governor Rice was thoroughly loyal to the best interests of the State in the distribution of patronage.  Every faithful and competent officer whom he found in place was reappointed, regardless of his politics, and the incompetent and unreliable were retired, though belonging to his own party.  It is, however, but fair to say, that in making original appointments and in filling absolute vacancies, he gave the preference, in cases of equal character and competency, to men of his own party.

During the centennial year, 1876, the special occasions, anniversaries, and public celebrations were very numerous, and added greatly to the demands upon the governor’s time and services in semi-official engagements, in all of which he acquitted himself with high credit to himself and the Commonwealth.