Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-21
A POLITICAL BLUNDER
What Republican Politicians Say About
Senator Sherman's Book.
1t Has Killed His own Chances for
the Presidency md Has In
jured His Party.

Governor Foraker's observation about the
Sherman book, that he wished 1t had been
withheld until after election, is repeated
In republican circles here with additions
Governor Forakers reference was to the
election next month. He was thinking
of his own race now in progress. The
reference here is to the national election
next month year, when, unless all signs
fall the republicans. in order to win. must
be earnest and united.
killed His Own Chances.
That Mr.. Shermans book will reopen
many wounds, and in that way prove detri-
mental to his party, is considered certain.
1t Is likewise thought that, considering his
own fortunes, this was the wrong time
Tor the appearance of such a publication.
Mr.. Sherman's name has been seriously
considered in connection with the next re-
publican presidential nomination. The is
sue, In the opinion of some of the party
leaders, seemed to be shaping Sherman
ward His age alone was being quoted
against him, and his friends quoted his
mental and physical vigor against that
Even extreme silver men were speaking of
him with entire respect, seeming to feel
that If the other school of finance was to
WIN II should be under the leadership Of
It's founder and ablest exponent. But all
OF this, 1t is now considered, is done for
Mr.. Shermans disclosures in the way OF
documents and opinions operate to close
his career as presidential possibility even
against chance. He. has offended against
so many tenets of diplomacy, and brought
such serious charges against convention
practices. that no movement in his be-
half in any circumstances would he possible
now.
What Garfield's Friends Say.
The possibility of his own selection as
standard-bearer next year, which Mr. Sher-
man has just put an end to, is used by the
friends of Gen. Garfield In support of their
defense OF his action at Chicago IN 1880
They deny that there was any 'nsincerity
on his part in support of Mr.. Sherman, and
assert that his nomination grew out of the
iact, universally conceded in the conven-
tion, that despite all that Gen. Garfield
and other Ohoans had done for him Mr.
Shermans nomination was impossible. The
question then was. should Gen. Garfield
Tor Tear OF being charged with insincerity,
refuse the nomination for himself. or by
taking it complete the anti-third term pro-
gram. to which Mr.. Sherman was as much
committed as anybody else?
What Might Happen Next Year.
Now. say the friends of Gen. Garfield,
suppose that Mr.. Sherman had not put out
his book at this time. Then consider him
delegate to the next republican national
convention. heading the Ohio delegation in
structed for Mckinley. The convention II
in session, the battle is on. Mr.. Sherman
has put his favorite in nomination in a
speech of extraordinary effectiveness, and,
moreover. Is openly and earnestly working
for success. But the way is blocked for
Mckinley. Mr.. Sherman is told this right
and left. The sum Is worked out in his
presence. and the answer shows that no
combination is possible guaranteeing votes
enough to capture the prize for Mckinley.
The question then comes up: Ohio wants
Mckinley. She has SO stated in conven-
ton. But it is plain that she cannot get
Mckinley. Does this bar all of her other
sons? The convention will accept Sherman.
Shall it be Sherman? Or shall the nominal
ton, tor the simple reason that Mckinley
cannot get 1t, be allowed to go to a candi-
date from some other state? Mr.. Sher-
mans friends urge him to take IL. They
assure him that his record is clear so far
as Mckinley is concerned, and that he
owes much to them, who cannot hope for
the recognition from a man from dis
lance in the White House that they can
from him. Mr.. Sherman yields and ac-
cepts. Shall he be charged with lukewarm-
ness or lack of faith?
Political BIunder.
1t is generally agreed that Mr.. Sherman
has had some hard and trying knocks from
fate, and few from the politicians, and
that it is only human to state ones own side
of bitter controversy. But, all the same,
active republicans regret the appearance Of
this book at this time, and regard il as a
political blunder