The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-10-29
SENATOR sHBRMAH,s BOOK.
YEARS or PUBLIC life

Implied Treachery I'm GarHeid's
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Feels satis-
fled that a Corrupt bargain
Secured Harrison's FIRST Mont
nation.
The Chicago correspondent Of the
Baltimore Sun says that the intrigues,
the jealousies and the traitorous knife
thrusts OF the last half century Of
American s~tatecraft are revealed in
the fierce light of stern criticism In
John Sherman's recollections OF forty
years in the House, Senate and Cabi-
net" just published in that city.
The fear that the venerable Senator
would reveal secrets long kept from
the public in his forthcoming work
has been TO an extent realized. Grant,
Garfield, Blaine, Arthur, Harrison
and other Republican leaders are
spoken of with Gnstint. d praise for
their high personal worth or states.
manship, but each is, 10 guarded an3
covert language, shown in the less
commendable light of scheming poll
ticians. The criticism is almost in
variably implied rather than direct,
but 1t stands out clearly IN the work
as a whole.
AS anticipated, the feature Of the
hook is its extreme frankness, the style
in which Mr.. Sherman has expressed
himself showing the statesman rather
than the professional bookmaker.
The work is marked by clear-cut sem
tencesa and blunt expressions of opinion,
and but little attempt at literary grace
is made. The book Is very evidently
intended by the author as an exposi-
tion Of the financial policy of the Re-
publican party, which to q great ex-
tent is his own, and about the extern
sive. and elaborate history of Ameri-
can finances is woven anecodOte and
personal "Reminiscences, replete with
interest to every student of politics.
Owing to the close association of Mr..
Sherman and James A. Garfield, the
criticism of the nomination of the
latter for President of the United
States is perhaps one Of the most
striking features of the book. The
author, while carefully avoiding u
direct charge OF t~reachery on the part
of the late President, very significantly
makes it plain that Mr.. Garfield was
nominated at a convention to which he
had gone as the trusted leader of the
Sherman forces.
After showing by the publication Of
private letters, covering . period of
years of close political and personal
association, that Mr.. Garfield was in
reality his political protege, Mr.. Sher-
man gives in detail the history of the
National Convention of 1880. Follow
ing the o of his own struggle for
the nomination he says:
"In time ] became thoroughly
advised Of what occurred at the Chica-
go Convention and had become en-
tirely reconclled to the result, though
frequently afterward l heard Incidents
and details which occasioned me great
pain and which seemed to establish
the want OF sincerity on the part OF
some Of the delegates aud tended to
show that for some time before the
meeting Of the Convention the nomi.
nation of Gen. Garfield had beer agreed
upon"
The sting felt by Gartield's detection
in 1880 is inadvertently shown by 6
sentiment expressed during the dis
cussion of the National Convention o.
1892, where the Senator remarks
From later developments ] became
satisfied hat Harrison could not be
elected, that Plett and a powerful
New York influence would defeat hin
If nominated. l therefore preferred
the nomination OF @ new man such a.
William Mckinley, bus he had com
mitted himself to HARRISON and, &C
cording to my code of honor, could no
accept a nomination even if rendered
him."
When it was remembered tina
Blaine was also u candidate for TIL,
Presidency before the Convention tina
nominated Garfield, the significance o
the following explanation on the par
of Senator Sherman why he was rear
} pointed by President Garfield as Secre
tary of the Treasury is readily under
stood
:" In the latter part of November
1880, Gen. Garfield came to Washing
ton and called upon Mr.. Blaine, who
it was understood, was to be Secretar.
Of State. Garfield came to my hous,
directly from Blaine's and informed
me that he had rendered that offic,
} to Blaine and that it was accepted
He said that Blaine thought it woult
not be polite to continue me as Sec
Rotary OF the Treasury, as it would b,
regarded as an unfriendly discrimina
ton by other members of Hayes
Cabinet. l promptly replied that
agreed with the opinion of Blaine an
was a candidate for the Senate"
Again the author reverts to tn,
Chicago Convention in discussing thu
character of President Garfield. o
his personality and eloquence h,
speaks in'the highest terms. His will
power, he says, was not up to his per
sonal magnetism. He adds that hi
opinions changed easily. In this con
nectinn he says:
When l proposed to him to be
delegate at large to the Chicago Con
ventiOn he, no doubt, meant it il goot
falth t o support my nomination"
Something of the political schemine
that again resulted in the defeat OF thu
Ohio statesman in the National Con
Vention OF 1888 and brought the nomi
nation OF EX-President Harrison cal
easily be read between the lines II
THAT part OF the work devoted to thi.
struggle. In discussing the result Mr.
sherman says that he became satisfied
that one delegate from New York con
trolled the entire delegation from tina
State, and that between Saturda,
night, when the nomination seemed
certain to go to Sherman, and Monda,
morning, when the tide turned in favor
OF Harrison, a corrupt bargain was
made In the interests Of tho latter
which secured him the support of New
York and gave him the nomination
Continuing, the author states in fair.
ness to the Ex-President:
1t is to the credit Of Gen. Harrison
to say that If the reputed bargain was
made, it was without his consent a,
the time"
On the eve Of another national cam.
paign, in which Ex-President Harrison
10 expected to figure prominently, Mr.
Sherman does not hesitate to saw tina,
In 1892 he did not consider Harrison q
strong candidate. To mis- cold and
abrupt manner he attributes his I'm.
popularity at thai time.