The times., 1897-04-13
FAILS TO KNOW HIS FRIENDS.
Secretary Sherman's Tendency to
Observation-Disclosures


1t is asserted by those who are on fa-
miliar terms with the Secretary of State
| that absence of mind appears to have
! become his most besetting frailty. The
| to make t exceedingly awkward at times,
| as the story goes, for those with whom
he has official business.
| 1t is several years since his colleagues
| in the Senate have noticed this popularity,
| but it did not make so much difference
] in that body as it does in the Department
| of State. About ten days ago an incident
| occurred in which Senator Mantle, of Mon
| tana, was the hero, or lie victim, just as
you please to look atit.
Mr.. Mantle served for two years In
! the Senate wit Mr.. Sherman and had an
idea they were tolerably well acquainted
He went with another Senator to present
| a mutual friend who wanted a consulate
| The other Senator said: I'VE have Come
| with Mr.. -, who wants q vice consulate"
etc. The Secretary Immediately reached
out his hand, took hold of that of Mr..
Mantle and said: 'Ah, Mr.. -, 1 am
glad to meet you. We win see what can
be done for YOU" The Montana Senator's
breath was fairly taken away, and before
he recovered il he somehow or other got
out of the room
One day last week Senator Wellingto of
Maryland had an experience with the
Secretary nSery much similar to that of
Mr. Mantle In company with another
very prominent Maryland Republican, he
called on the Secretary TO discuss sundry
questions connected thoffice. The Mary
land Senator had met the Secretary
number of times, and as he walked III the
room he was doubtless anticipating the
cordial manner in which he would be
received.
To his great surprise, he met stony
glance in which there was not the faint
est symptom Of recognition, and the re-
mark, PLEASE wait until l am through
with this gentleman" Upon the occasion
alluded to this gentleman" happened to
be no more than plain, ordinary private
citizen, and If there is any one thing more
than another which arouses the indig-
milton resentment t in the breast of a Sena-
tor, it is 10 wait on the pleasure OF any
man, however high, much less an humble,
everyday citizen. The splendid seif-pos-
session of the junior Senator from Mary
land did not, however, desert him, and
the Secretary never tumhled to the faux
pas he had committed.
This little pecnliarity OF Mr.. Sherman
will naturally now be broughtinto constant
notice and provoke constant comment
Yet there is really nothing very singular
about 1t, as trait, whether natural or
affected, which pertains to many otheIsin
Washington in both public and private life,
and no doubt elsewhere also. The late
Judge Thurman, of ONO, who sat for
twelve years In the United States Sepate,
afforded most striking illustration OF this
habit of furgetfulness, and there were too
many proofs TO show it was not affectation
on his part, at least.
Scores and hundreds of men in Washing
ton can testify To his never remembering
them, even after nuniberless introductions
He sat frequently duringa whole eeveninga at
dinner or other entertainments side by side
with men, enga gedin constant conversation,
Ind the next time he met them they were
perfect strangers to him. He frequently
would not know his own confidential clerk
until reminded of bis individuality.