Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-02
SENATOR SHERMAN
His Name Now Causing Anxiety to
McKinley's Friends.
A Question of Finance or Tarin-The
Ohio Senator for Sound
Money.

The Mckinley presidential boom. in the
eyes Of many politicians. is the most inter-
esting of all the booms. These men are
very fond Of dwelling upon certain dis
tinctive features it is thought to possess.
They regard 1t as a sort of test boom.
Shall the next campaign be waged upon the
tariff issue? If so, who is the foremost
representative of the tariff issue on the
republican side? All of the republican as
pirants for the nomination are protection
lists, and all have declared time and again
for the fostering Of home industries by the
laying Of high customs duties. But whose
name is found at the head Of the list when
the champions of protection are called of?
And If there is one man among them SO
conspicuous that he stands singled out,
both by his own and by the opposing par
ty, as the most pronounced proteetionist OF
them ALL ought not he to carry the banner
when protection Il the issue?
The Mckinley Case.
This Is the Mckinley case. The friends
of the buckeye governor insist that the
tariff must be the issue, and that he Is Its
foremost republican representative. 1t Is
not his only merit, in their eyes. They are
willing to match him against any of his
rivals on any score For all-around ability.
for high and attractive personal character.
icanism, they maintain that he is the peer
of any man in either party, and would
prove an exceptionally strong presidential
candidate. They expect to see him noml-
mated.
Another point of interest attaching to
the Mckinley boom relates to what may
be termed its home embarrassments. HOW
Is 1t to shake off those besetments ana the
different interpretations put upon them at
a distance? For a time there was a mis-
understanding as to Gov. Foraker's atti-
tude. A doubt existed as to his real inter-
est in McKinley's success. An opinion pre-
vailed that this doubt ought to be removed
Friends of the two men conferred, and the
doubt was removed. Foraker. In an au-
thorized interview, declared unequivocally
for Mckinley for President: and Mckinley
Senator. All seemed clear then SO far as
Ohio was concerned. and full delegation
to the national convention well selected
and cordially pledged. was guaranteed
Sherman Looking Up.
But a bigger man than Foraker Is now
the subject Of talk well calculated to dis
turb not only the friends of Mckinley. but
the friends Of all the other aspirants as
well. Mckinley IS most in interest because
this man lives in McKinley's state. All
speculation about the next presidency has
come to include the name of John Sherman.
His great abilities, his past eminent ser
vices, tho influence he exercises In matters
Of finance. are the subject Of much COM
ment. His face Is again one of the most
prominent in the pages of the pictorial
press. No colared cartoon presenting the
pl esidential aspiI ants is complete without
1t. Whenever 1t IS suggested that the
financial and not the tariff question should
be the issue for next year the suggestion
follows that Mr.. Sherman would best repre-
sent that issue. Ii is even insisted in GER
tain quarters that his nomination would be
SO conspicuously fit in such circumstances
that if the parry failed to make it the con-
test at the polls might be lost. The people.
1t is claimed. would resent the presentation
of such an issue without the candidacy Of
the man best entitled to stand for it. and
lest prepared to give 1t form and substance
in office.
Not Doing Anything Himself.
Mr. Sherman is not charged with doing
anything to forward this movement. He
could not he in ignorance of the existence
of the movement, but he has publicly
spoken in terms Of approval of McKinley's
candidacy. and the understanding Is that
he and his friends at home will sincerely
unite in the action which will make Nc
Kinley Ohio's candidate before the national
convention. But beyond this, Mr.. Sherman,
were within reason to expect him thorough
ly to efface himself in the interests of the
younger man. Events will shape them
selves. The action of the next Congress
will largely determine what the issue in the
national campaign is to be. The tariff, In
some form. is likely to be considered. But
the financial question. in its most import
ant and far-feaching form, Is certain to be
considered. Mr.. Sherman will stand head
and shoulders above his brethren in Con-
gress at that time, In respect to financial
questions. His authority on the subject is
recognized, and. besides. as chairman of
the finance committee Of the Senate-an ap-
pontment altogether likely to be made
he Will have charge Of the question in that
influence whatever may be accomplished
in that direction. So that, before the next
republican national convention shall meet,
Mr.. Sherman will have again taken a lead
ing position before the country as the
champion Of sound money, and the fashioner
of certain measures on the subject, and in
this way appear for whatever his party
may claim for itself before the people.
Ohio, therefore, will be strong in the CON
vention, be the issue tariff or finance. If
tariff. she will urge Mckinley; If finance,
the party at large may unite upon Sher-
man.
Studying the Aspect Of Affairs.
The older politicians, familiar with Mr..
Sherman's long career, are studying the
present aspect of affairs as 1t affects him,
or appears to do so, with very great in
terest. They recall his earnest desire in
the PAST for his partys nomination, and
how trying some of the tricks were that
cnce led in the ballotings at national con-
Nentiens. He has twice appeared to come
almost within reach of the prize. He
yielded both times without public muir
muir. His party loyalty was neither time
shaken. He never complained of the at
titude of some OF his home people, even
when his friends in other states bitterly
criticised certain maneuvers. Properly
speaking, he is not thought to be in the
present race by any word of his own. No
man questions his attitude toward Nc
kinley. But for all this, the outcome is
awaited with much interest. Is Mr.. Sher-
mans chance at last to come without an
effort on his part? Is the man who has
made five unsuccessful contests to secure
the presidential nomination of his party,
and sounded all the depths and shoals of
anxious campaigning, to carry of the
prize when he is practically not a con-
testant at all? Shall Ohio, several times
soliciting his nomination, at last be hon
ored by it while pressing the claims of
another of her sons?
Army Orders.
Leave of absence for four months is