Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-31
mrs. JOHN SHERMAN.
THE WIFE OF THE NEXT sECRE-
TARY OF STATE.
Identified With Washington Social
Life for Forty-twO Icars-Her
influence Over Her Husband
The Sherman Home.

Washington Cor. New York Tribune.
In the selection of his secretary of state
the president-elect is not more happy than
in the good fortune which will place at the
head of the new cabinet circle household
so widely and favorable known as Senator
Shermau's When Mr.. Sherman's public
life in Washington began, forty-two years
ago, it may be said that Mrs. Sherman $
public life began also, so closely has she
been identified with every interest and
every step in his career. young and at
tractive woman, of strong character and
sincerity of purpose, Mrs Sherman quickly
impressed her individuality on Official cir
cles, and her prominence kept pace with
her husbands advance and high place IN
the political world. At no time IN her long
and varied experience would Mrs. Sher-
man be termed Il society woman IN the
most limited sense. But as a hne type OF
american womanhood she represents Off
cial society in it's best sense. During all
the shifting political fortunes around her;
with their many changes, she mas retalnea lsa
the simplicity of manner and genuineness
of heart, giving assurance or a sincerity
which has made her a popular woman,
and a woman of close friendships
That Mrs. Sherman'S Judgment and po-
litical foresight have had marked lnnu-
ence over her husband there can be no
doubt. and more than once she has turned
the scale in some important pohtlcal de
cision 1t was Mrs. Sherman who practically
settled the question of the senator's candi-
dacy for his last denomination TO the SEN
ate four years ago. Mrs. Sherman herself
wished to return TO private life For a
year or two she felt this desire growing
stronger and stronger until she had tul!y
made I'D her mind that after the senator S
long service to the public they owed the
duty of service to themselves IN the ENJOY
ment of few years OF private lie: 10
keep their Washington home, and with II
time for their friends and time for foreign
travel and other agreeable recreatlonS was
the picture framed by Mrs. Sherman Tor
their later years. 1t grew upon her more
and more, and one day she SAID frankly 10
If / thought my husband would come
back 10 the senate another term L should
be an unhappy woman.
| Time passed OH, and when the hour came
for the senator to declare his intentions
to Ohio he was ready to write the letter
| declining to be candidate for renomina. ma
realized the outlook for her husband-the
step from long and busy life into-What! !
That was the question which CONFRONTED
| and startled Mrs. Sherman, but which the
senator had not thought of or considered.
Mrs Sherman knew better even than her
husband that he would not be equal to the
ease, the idleneSS, the loss OF occupation
and the daily routine of public life.
weigh well the step" said Mrs. Sher-
man. What will you do with yourself?
What resources will you have in private
life TO take the place of your work, which
has been your life for so many years? You
would be d restless and unhappy man with
| out work. Think over the step well before
you make your decision
The senator went back to his library and
the letter of declination was not written.
When the acceptance of the portfolio of
state in the new cabinet was to be constd-
cred, it was Mrs. Sherman who again turn
ed the scale. Proud of her husbands long
and splendid public service, as she may
well be- Mrs. Sherman feels that no other
service would more fifty round the senator S
career than the four years in President
McKinleys cabinet.
Senator and Mrs. Sherman are a delight
full host and hostess. whose large expert
ence will easily meet new social duties.
At the head of the cabinet circle they will
but add to the number of friends who have
enjoyed the gracious hospitality of their
Washington home. Their new house in X
street. completed about two years ago,
is one of the most beautiful houses of the
national capital, and few are more spa
cious. 1t is a magnificent double house OF
white stone, overlooking the pretty park
called Franklin square.
Though classed among modern palaces
| the Sherman house is a home, and the
home atmosphere is a charm one feels the
moment the threshold is passed. 1t has
| never given the impression of new house,
| but from the first seemed to have been lived
| in, quite as If there had been Il transfer OF
| their former home, two doors distant and
occupied for many years. The house is fin
| ished in hardwoods of great beauty. The
| spacious hail. drawingrooms, library and
| dtningroom all open into the hall and into
| each other, almost like one space. and are
admirably arranged for the entertainment
| of large company. The appointments are
| harmonious, there are rare works of art in
| paintings on the walls and hric-a-brac and
| throughout the house the effect is that OF
| simple elegance.
| Senator Sherman has one daughter, whose
| marriage to James McCaIlum two years
| ago made the wedding festivity that was
| something of a christening of the new resi-
| dence. Mr.. and Mrs. McCallum have their
| own house. recently built by the senator as
| a present to his daughter. Mrs. McCallum
| however. who as Miss Sherman was so well
| known, is likely to be again her mothers
| attractive assistant as one of the cabinet
| circle. Then there Is the young grandson
| an important member of the family-John
| sherman McCallum. just n year old II
need hardly be added that he is even now
| the idol of his grandfather Senator Sher-
man has been called a man of cold exter-
| ior. A man of dignity he certainly is. and
| III his own family he is one of the most
| genial men, and is a model host.