The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-07
POINTS ON SENATOR SHERMAN.
Interesting Personal Gossip Concerning the
Famous Ohio Senator.

+. G. Carpenter, In New York World.
Senator Sherman ought to be good speaker.
for he has had longer experience on the
trum than almost any other man in public life.
He made his first speech in the House of.Repre-
sentatives more than thirty years ago. and his
story of it has never appeared in the newspa-
pers. asked him one day If he remembered it,
and he replied with laugh Eyes, I remember
it well. I was elected; you know, when the
topic for congressional discussion. There had
been a great change in the personnel of the
House, and there were great many young
men among the new members Matt Day, who
had much to do with the founding of the Gin
cinnati Commercial, was old Congressman at
the time. He wrote much during the congress
ional sessions, and spoke very little. He had
not high regard for the sophomore oratory of
the young Congressman and he was slightly
deaf. remember the day I spoke I sat be-
hind him. number OF other young men had
made their first speeches. Day would listen to
each with his hand at his ear, and the moment
one concluded he would say, with grunt of
satisfaction
Another dead cock in the pitt
AT last 1 saw place where thought could
make a good. point jumped to my feet got
the Speakers eye and said my say. When
was through and had sat down said: Here
is another dead cock in the pit, Mr.. Day. But
Day replied: No, my. young friend. I don't
think it is quite so bad that with you yet,'
and he gave me to understand that had another
chance or so for my life.
John Shermans first speculation turned out
badly. 1t was when he was boy of about six
teen. He had been acting as surveyor or rather
as an engineer, for the Muskingum improve
ment. He had started in when boy of four
teen at $23 month. and was thus engaged for
two years. during the latter part of which time
he was receiving $40 month, and he was at one
time the superintendent of an important part of
the work. During the winter he had to lie idle,
as work upon the canal could not be done in
such weather 1t at this time that he at
tempted his speculation. Salt was very low
Cincinnati. He concluded to buy lot of salt
and send it down the river. He did SO, and
loaded it scow. The salt started but when
the scow got within one days float of the Ohio
river the thermometer went down below
and Sherman's boat frozen up tight. The
cold continued. and the boat remained there
two months. He lost instead of gaining by the
speculation.
believe that Senator Sherman would have
been much richer man if he had never gone
into public life. He began to make money very
young, and he and his brother Charles had a
very profitable law practice before John was
elected to Congress. 1t is stated by his old
friends in Mansfield that he made it rule dur
ing his first years to lay aside at least $500 a
year and to regulate his expenditures to this
end. He invested his savings, and he made 10
bad investments. Mrs. Sherman's father was
well to do, and left her farm near Mansfield
and other property This farm she still owns.
Senator Shermans property in Mansfield would
not, all told, bring over 500. 900. and his home.
which has been described as the residence of
mi llionaire, though very comfortable, is not
worth over $4,000, and this includes about
fourteen acres of land In the best part of Mans
field
Senator Sherman says he cannot remember
the time when he did not have ambition to be
politician. He started life early. and he began
to study law before he was of age. he went
into partnership with his brother Charles. after
wards Judge Sherman. at Mansfield, o., and he
made Wing speeches in this Democratic district
before the down had grown upon his chin The
Mansfield district is Democratic to-day. and has
always been known as decidedly Bourbon
When Sherman twenty-five this district
made him delegate to the national convention
at Philadelphia, and he was made secretary of
the convention, being given the position by a
nominating speech which introduced him
Buckeye who lived in a district so strongly
Democratic that he could never hope to get
ONCE unless the convention gave him one.