Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-03-25
Secretary Sherman as Csndi-
dafQ

The candidacy of John Sherman grows
very logically out of his brilliant and
substantial success, as secretary of the
treasury, in refunding the public debt
and in resuming specie payments. This
success is highly honored by all intelli-
gent people in this country, and would
be doubly honored if accomplished in
any European country, because the diff
Guilty of strengthening national credit
when once deprecated, and of returning
to specie value after being once cut
adrift, is much better understood there
than here. There is such q thing as a
science of national finance in Europe.
In this country the treasury was under
the control of experimenters during the
long interval between McCullOch and
Sherman. Fortunately, Mr.. Sherman
had outlived his weakness on the subject
of the currency and the debt, and had
come into the post of finance minister
with clear and correct idea of what
was to be done to get affairs upon set
tied and honest basis, together with a
firm will to carry out his purposes.
Backed by president fully in accord
with his views, he was able to triumph
over opposition in Congress, and to go
straight forward towards the goal of
lower interest and gold payments. AZ
ter such achievements it was inevitable
that he should be looked upon by large
element in the republican party as the
best man to nominate for the presiden-
cy. He is type of solvency, prudence,
and tirmness in financial and business
affairs. People who appreciate best the
inestimable value to the changes he has
wrought in its finances look with most
favor upon his candidacy,-that is to say,
bankers, manufacturers, transporters,
and substantial merchants and farmers.
Of political strength he possesses far less
than Mr. Blaine. His own State of Ohio
is the only one which can be said to be
originally in favor of his candidacy. In
other States his followers are rarely in
possession of much practical influence
Of the sort that controls conventions Sc
lects delegates. 1t is probable, howev
er, that sense of the special fitness of
his candidacy, his popularity among the
business classes, and the knowledge all
politicians possess of the character, tenn
per, and opinions he would bring to the
chief magistracy will give him great
deal of strength in the Chicago conven-
tion which cannot now be measured and
located. Then Mr.. Sherman is himself
an exceedingly able practical politician.
With no faculty for winning friends by
simply mingling with men and shaking
hands, and no gift of oratory beyond
the ability to express his ideas connect
edly and clearly, he has held important
positions ever since he entered politics
as young man, never dropping out of
Office for day, and steadily mounting
from post to post until within one step
of the White House. His success has
been due to two things: first, he has al
ways been able to convince the public
of his intellectual and moral fitness for
the place he sought; and, second, he has
known how to go to work to secure
nominations and carry elections. These
two things will operate in his favor now
as heretofore. AS to his lack of personal
magnetism, of hich we hear so much,
that is doubtless a'misfortune for pub
lie man; but it has not kept him from
getting on in life, and will not be OBJ
stacle enough of itself to keep him out
of the presidency. He makes up for