The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-03-05
SENATOR JOHN SHERMAN, SEcRE-
TARY OF STATE.

SeNATOH JOHN SHERMAN, SECRE-
TARY OF STATE.
Senator John Sherman, McKinley's
secretary of state, has been prominent in
public affairs since 1874, when he made
himself heard in advocacy of the presi-
dency. He was born in Lancaster O.,
in 1898. He lived humbly in those early
days. What education he got was such
az could be had in the country schools
Of that time. 1t was not of an extensive
sort. When he was IA years old, he So
cured employment in surveying party
as rodman. Afterward he got a clerkship
in one of the county offices. At the age
of IL he went to Mansfield, o., and be-
gan to read law in the Office Of his
brother. 1t took him four years to per-
feet himself in Blackstone and Kent and
other worthless of the reading schedule
Of that date and pass the examination
that secured him admission to the bar.
This eventful period was reached on
'Sherman's twenty first birthday, and the
celebration Of that occasion made the
anniversary more than usually pleasant
and memorable.
His career as lawyer and statesman
Is familiar to the merest schoolboy Of
the land. Beginning with his election
TO the national house Of representatives
in 1854, his record has been one Of sue
oessive honors and promotions. After
having served as representative he was
made senator, and such was the esteem
in which he was held by his constitu-
ents that his reflections to the Office
were as regular as the expirations of his
terms. Indeed, since 1854 there has been
only one day wherein John Sherman
was out of Office. That was March B,
1881, the day after he had rendered his
resignation as secretary Of the treasury
under the Hayes administration and the
day, before he took the oath of Office as
reelected senator.
Not only has Mr.. Sherman been thus
continuously honored in connection with
the legislative branch of the govern
ment, but he has been pushed by his
friends very hard for the presidency
time and time again. There is no doubt
that Sherman has nourished warm
and strong ambition for this high place,
and at one time it seemed almost GER
tainty that he would be the candidate
Of his party for the coveted post. This
was in 1880, when james A. Garfield,
Sherman's advocate il the convention,
builded so much better than he knew
that he himself secured what he sought
for his chief.
Four years later, too, there was a
strong Sherman sentiment working in
the national convention, and again it
seemed possible that the Ohio solon
would be put in the first place on the
ticket, but Harrison was selected. 1t is
generally believed that this was the bit
terest disappointment Sherman ever ex-
perienced.
Senator Sh,nman is now nearly "a
years Of age II is white haired, and
his tall, slender form bends somewhat
under the weight Of these many years,
but there is grim tenacity III his make
up, and his vitality is many times
stronger than it appears to be. Mentally
he is as keen as a scimiter. though his
words are far less acrid now than they
were in his younger days. His accept
ance of q cabinet position is generally
regarded as his political capitulation-a
compromise with his higher aspirations.
LYMAN J. GAGE, SECRETARY OF TIE