 In May 1888 Ryrie again proposed Francis as the member of the Legislative Council for the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce saying that the unofficial members felt the need for someone who could advise them on legal points of order.Francis was again defeated by Bendyshe Layton by 20 votes to 16.The "Daily Press" in an editorial commented that Francis was a man of wide experience outside his profession but no-one would ever know what he was going to do next.