Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-21
His Friends Think Him Again a
Presidential Possibility
ON a FINANCIAL PLATFORM
Considered a Strong Candidate on
Other Grounds.
HIS AGE AND II E A L T III

Ohio sees in the present political compllca-
tion and outlook an opportunity for the
Inauguration of another Sherman boom for
the presidency. He declares, too. that there
are others taking the same view OF the
matter.
II reason ftom generally accepted calcu-
lations," said this gentleman to repre-
sentative of The Star today. AN extra
session of the Fifty-fourth Congress is re-
garded as likely. and work for that body
is already being cut out. 1t seems to be
agreed that the principal result of such
session would be the passage of a bill in
creasing the revenue, leaving the greater
question Of the currency for adjustment at
the regular session. The effect OF this. as
already pointed out in The Star, would be
to make the financial Questions upperniost
in the next national campaign. Now, If
the issue is to be changed, talk about can
d:dates is likely to change also. The spec
ulation about Reed, Harrison and Mchin-
ley has proceeded upon lines of general
reasoning. That about Mckinley has been
little more specific but 1t has related
solely to the tariff. But withdraw or sub
ordinate, the tariff issue, and appeal to the
country on the financial issue, and what
ought logically to accompany that appeal?
Why, the nomination of the recognized au-
thorityon the questions OF finance of course.
TO make a national campaign for sound
money under considerations forcing thor
ough revision of the currency law and not
call Mr.. Sherman to carry the balner would
be strange indeed. To put on the play OF
Hamlet with the melancholy Dane left
out of the cast would not be more surpris-
ing. or be likely to raise up more difficult
ties. This whole question of sound money
Is built up around the public deliverances
of Mr.. Sherman and his official acts. and
in this way it has come to be part and par
eel of his reputation. He stands for that
question more prominently than any other
would
more votes on that issue than any other
man now available for the party's nomina-
tion."
A Strong Candidate on Other Grounds.
''Would Mr.. Sherman make strong can
d:date on other grounds?" was asked.
II think he would, although I am IA
miliar with the criticisms that from time
to time have been leveled against him. He
is accused of being a cold. an unresponsive
man, with but few intimates. That is a
very inaccurate and unjust reading of Mr..
SE.ermans nature. He is a thoughtful
unsympathetic. And I think the record
shows, that, tried by severe tests. he is
one of the most generous and loyal party
men in our history. Consider his expert
ence in this very matter of presidential
candidacy. His name has been prominent
before three natl 1nal conventions, and In
one of them he seemed to be on the eve of
success. But defeat did not affect him at
all. He worked as hard for the nominees
as any of the men who had secured their
nominations did. He forgot ali personal
disappointment in his duty to his party,
and took the stump in every campaign.
Much has been written about the EN-
barrassing attitude i'll which his nomina-
ton for the presidency placed Gen. Gar
the head of the Ohio delegation instructed
for Mr.. Sherman; he had presented Mr..
Sherman's name to the convention, and yet
he himself was nominated. He was alarm
10 ,srr1,%
interpreted. His exclamation is historical:
What will John Sherman think Of this!
Well what did John Sherman think Of it?
He thought it his duty to support Gen.
Garfield as Loyalty as If no complications
had ever arisen over the nomination, and
by his course made it absolutely impos-
sible for the democracy to turn the episode
to any account at all. He acquitted Gen.
Garfield of every imputation of lukewarm-
ness even, and canvassed most effectively
for him in several states. Now, l think
that very fine.
1T certainly was not the course that
cold selfish man would have taken.
happen to know, too, that Gen. Garfield
very greatly appreciated the service, al d
had he lived he would have leaned heavily
On Mr.. Sherman for the support OF admin-
istration measures in the Senate. Now,
watch this in all of our annals. Several
men have been loudly praised for declin-
ing nominations which they were striving
to secure for their friends but where is
the other man who has come to the relief
of his friend in the other circumstances?
1t was insisted in several quarters that had
Gen. Garfield held out against the ap-
proaches and pushed Mr.. Sherman's candi-
dacy with more energy Mr.. Sherman would
have been nominated. The charge, too. was
calculated to work injury to a presidential
candidate. But it was Immediately put to
rest Mr.. Sherman refused to countenance
it, gave his hand to Gen. Garfield, and ev-
erything was peace between them"
Relntfons With Mckinley
What are the relations between Mr..
Sherman and Gov. Mckinley?"
Cordial, and full of mutual trust The
older man admires the younger very much,
and has had much of complimentary
character to say about him. That is Mr..
Sherman's way. He has always backed up
the young men showing capacity. If Gov.
Mckinley receives his partys nomination
for the presidency Mr.. Sherman will be
one of the most earnest and active of his
tune bestows the nomination on Mr.. Sher-
man, Gov. Mckinley, l have no doubt will
as Loyalty support him. l believe the re-
spcnse. too, frcm the whole state would
in such circumstances, be of a nature to
testify to the great admiration felt for Mr..
Sherman by the Ohio republicans. There
are divisions in the state, 1 admit, but
none such as would make Mr.. Sherman's
success at home as presidential candidate
in the slightest degree uncertain. He has
time and again made Ohio the battlefield
in sound money contests, and on an coca
sion of the supremest Importance to the
public credit the sentiment he has done
SO much to create there would sustain him
by an overwhelming majority"
What about Mr.. Sherman's age and
health?"
His Age and Health.
''Mr. Sherman is now seventy-two, and In
good health. He would lay down the bur-
dens of the presidency before his eightieth
year. He is OF the Gladstonian physique
and temperament-tall, spare, sanguine
and earnest. He has always taken good
care Of himself and never has been much
under fee. either to the physician or the
druggist He seems assured of reaching a
good old age. 1t is not necessary to point
out how remarkably his mental vigor keeps
up. His letters and speeches plainly show
this, and stamp him as one Of the giants
of the day."
'Is Mr. Sherman himself giving any
thought to this question as you present it?'
II think not. He rather looks upon him
self as being out of the presidential run
ming for good. 1 am merely canvassing
matters from the standpoint of present
liabilities 1 am merely contending that
the man should fit the issue, and obviously
If the republican party contemplates MAX
ing national contest on the money ques-
ton John Sherman should be the presi-
Dental candidate"