The Portland daily press., 1892-01-18
JOHN SHERMAN.
His Reelection to the Senate a Matter of
National Congratulatien.

the United states oendte. AS u MEMBER
of Congress, Senator Sherman is one of
the few connecting links between the
past and the present. He first entered
the House member of the 34th Con-
gress then being only 80 years of age.
Although new member, he took a
prominent partin the great contest which
resulted in the election of Nathaniel P.
Banks, Speaker of the House.
With the exception of the venerable
Justin S. Morrill,, now Senator from
Vermont and then member of the
House, he is the only survivor of the
34th Congress. Senator Sherman was
successfully reelected to the 35th, Both
and 37th Congresses, when on the resig-
nation of Senator Chase in 1861 he was
chosen Senator in Congress from Ohio;
and with the exception of four years,
when Secretary of the Treasury, he has
ever since held a seat in that body.
When a member of the House in the
Both Congress he was unanimously nomi-
uated the Republican candidate for
Speaker It was while he sustained
this relation TO the House that the old
Banks contest was substantially fought
over. The first vote in the House Dec.
5, 1859 was by common consent a sort OF
scattering fire in which Sherman re-
ceived S6 votes and Galusha A. Grow, As.
Upon the second vote Sherman ran up to
107, the whole number of votes cast be-
ing 231. The third trial gave Sherman
10 votes, he wanted only three votes of
an election. Upon several occasions
Sherman received 112 votes, and upon
one trial lacked only one vote of an cleo
ton.
Up to January 26, 1860, some twenty
five old time Wings had voted for can
didate of their own, Ex-Governor John
A. Gilman of North Carolina being their
leading man
Prior to the 27th of this month this
remnant of the old Wing party sew
eral times voted for William N. II. Smith
a conservative Whig from North Caro-
lima. On the 3Sth trial January n the
Democrats deserted their candidate and
voted for Smith who received 112 votes
to 106 for Sherman-Smith wanting but
two votes of an election.
Of course the Republicans became ex-
cited and did not dare to risk another
vote on that day and after a hard fight
succeeded in carrying an adjournment to
the next Monday by the skin of their
teeth. A close canvass was made, and 1t
was found that Sherman would lack one
vote certain and probably two of an cleo
ton. Among those interviewed was
Geo. Briggs an old time Wing from New
York city who finally agreed to vote for
Tom Cerwin then a member from Ohio
OF Ex-Governor Pennington of New Jer-
sey if his vote would make choice.
Upon learning this Mr. Sherman request
ed Republican caucus called, which
was held, when he withdrew his name
and on his motion William Pennington
of New Jersey was nominated.
On January 30th at the next session
came the ''tug Of war; under the new
arrangement, On the first trial Penning-
ton had lis, Smith 113 and five scatter
ing The two next votes was the same
with and scattering. On the final
vote February l. 1860 the Democrats
abandoned Smith and voted for John A.
McClernand. Mr.. Briggs withheld his
vote until the roll had been called through
when finding Pennington wanted but one
vote Of a majority he voted for him,
giving him III, just enough to elect him
and the long contest of nine weeks was
over.
Mr.. Sherman was made chairman of
the committee of "Ways and Means"
and became the leader of the House dur
ing that Congress.
In the foregoing account of the great
Sherman contest for the Speakership in
1859 and 1860 have only glanced at
some of its leading points-not intend
ing it as anything like a complete his
tory of that protracted, interesting fight,
where John Sherman was the principal
hero.
If we are to look among our public
men for a statesman, taking into account
all that word implies, we can find no bet
ter representative than John Sherman.
Upon all the great financial questions
which have national Importance, he is
the Alexander Hamilton of our day. In
this regard he stands head and shoulders
above all his peers in the national Con-
gress.
AS cabinet officer and a legislator he
has done more to give this country
safe and sound currency placed upon
solid basis than any other public man we
have had in our national councils for the
last thirty years.
Senator Sherman has another virtue,
nOG IOuUu every WucI6 dlilOils95 OlI puUtlC
men, and that is honesty. During his
long public life, like our own Hannibal
Hamlin, he has never been even suspect
ed of dishonesty. Corrupt lobbyists. land
government swindlers never dared ap-
proach the sOld Roman, or call his at
tention to any Of their put-up jobs on
the government.
He has always been safe mana pru-
dent and careful legislator, always favor
ing a sound, but rigid economy in ad-
the affairs Of government.
Johh Sherman in several national Re-
publican conventions has had very re-
spectacle support as a candidate for the
and in point of statesman
ship and fitness for the place he is the
peer of any of the distinguished men of
his day who have won the presidential
race, and found home quarters in the
White House.
Senator Sherman never practiced any
of the arts of the demagogue, or resorted
to questionable means whena candidate
before the people. Complaints have some
times been made against him that he is
cold, formal and not easily approached;
but they usually come from those who
do not know the man, OF from others
who have attempted to secure his infiu-
7 ILL. Il 1854 81