Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-19
FOR FORTY YEARS
Senator Sherman's Recollections Dur
ing That Period of Public Life.
PRAISE and CRITICISM DEALT OUT
The Convention of 1880 and Gar
fields Nomination Discussed.
PRESIDENT HAYES PRAISED

John Sherman's Recollections of Forty
Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet"
the work of the distinguished Ohio Senator,
which has been expected for some time, has
just been published in Chicago. 1t is an ex-
ceedingly interesting work, marked by
frankness of statement and simplicity of
style.
Grant, Garfield, Blaine, Arthur, Harrison
and other republican leaders are spoken of
with unstinted praise for their high per-
sonal worth or craftsmanship but none of
them escape criticism. The criticism is al
most Invariably implied rather than direct
but 1t stands out clearly in the work a
whole.
The Convention of 1850.
Speaking of the national convention of
1850. where Garfield, going as the leader of
the Sherman forces. was himself nominated
for the presidency, Mr.. Sherman says, after
indicating by correspondence that Garfield
had been his political protege: I'm time
became thoroughly advised of what occurred
at the Chicago convention, and had become
entirely reconciled to the result, though
frequently ofterward 1 heard incidents and
details which occas.oned me great pain and
which seemed to establish the want Of SIN
certify on the part of some of the delega ties
and tended to show that for some time be-
the meeting Oh the convention the nOm-
nation of General Garfield had been agreed
upon"
The sting felt by Garfield's detection IN
1850 is further shown by sentiment ex-
pressed during the discussion of the national
convention of 1892, where the Senator re-
marks:
Prom later developments, I became salts
hed that Harrison could not be elected, tfat
would defeat him If nominated. / therefore
preferred the nomination of a new man. such
as William Mckinley, but he had committed
himself to Harrison, and. according to my
code of honor, could not accept nominal
ton even if rendered him.
GarHeld's Cabinet Formation.
Relating to the formation of Garfield's
cabinet he says:
I'm the latter part of November, $780,
General Garfield came to Washington and
called Upon Mr.. Blaine. who, it was under
stood, was to be Secretary of State. Gar
field came to my house directly from
Blaine's. and informed me that he had ten
dered that office to Blaine and that it was
accepted. He said that Blaine thought it
would not be polite to continue me as Sec
rotary of the Treasury. as it would be re-
garded unfriendly discrimination by
other members of Hayes cabinet prompt
ly replied that agreed with the opinion of
Blaine, and was a candidate for the SEN
ate"
Again the author reverts to the Chicago
convention in discussing the character of
President Garfield. OF his personality and
eloquence he speaks in the highest terms.
His will power, he says, was not up to his
personal magnetism. He adds that his
opinion changed easily. In this connection
he says:
when l proposed to him to be a dele
gate-at-large to the Chicago convention he
no doubt meant it in good faith to support
my nomination."
Gen. Harrison in 1855.
Speaking of the nomination of Gen Har-
rison in 1883. Mr.. Sherman says that he
became satisfied that one delegate from
New York controlled the entire delegation
from that state. and between Saturday
night, when the nomination seemed certain
to go to Sherman, and Monday morning
when the tide turned in favor of Harrison,
corrupt bargain was made in the interest
of the latter. which secured him the sup
port of New York and gave him the nomi-
nation. Continuing, the author states in
fairness to the ex-President:
1T is to the credit of General Harrison to
say that If the reputed bargain was made
it was without his consent at the time"
He says that he did not regard Harrison
as 4 good candidate in 1892.
Indicating President Grants Indifference
to statecraft, he says that During the en-
tire period of Grants administration 1 was
chairman of the committee on finance of
the Senate. and had to act upon all ques-
tons of taxation, debt, banking or finance,
and had occasion to talk with the President
upon such MEASURES but he rarely ex-
pressed any opinion or took any interest in
Them
The criticisms of President Arthur, chief
ly relating back to the time before he be-
came President. and was removed from the
collectorship of the port of New York. are
not complimentary.
Praise for President Hayes.
Mr.. Sherman speaks of President Hayes
in terms of warm praise and dwells upon
incidents of their friendly association.
when near the close of his term" he
says, "he Hayes) gave the usual dinner to
the members of The outgoing and the in
coming cabinets. 1t as purely an official
dinner, but Hayes said there We're two
gentlemen present who were not in office
We looked around to see who the unhappy
two were and found they were Garfield and
myself Garfield had rot yet become Pres
ident and l had resigned as Secretary the
day before. This happered to be the only
day that l was not in public office since
March 4, 1So5.
Opinion of johnson.
He refers to President Johnson as a slave
to his passions, and as "a foolish and
stubborn man, doing even right things in
a wrong way, and in a position where the
evil that he does is immensely increased
by his manner of doing It,"
Referring to CRITICISMS that have been
passed upon himself. Mr.. Sherman says:
Il have often since been accused of the
crime of being rich but as nearly all my
possessions are visible to the naked eye,
and their history and acquisition are known
to so many, l think l am not required to
prove that l have not made them as the
result Of legislation or my holding Of pub
lie trusts
AN ANNIVERSARY.
MlSSi1ll VIII CnlRllrSl II