Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-12-09
USED FOR A PURPOSE.

John sherman stands to-day pitt
able illustration OF the heartlessness of
the men who control the Republican
party. During his long public career
he served his masters faithfully and
well, and now, having outlived his use
iulness to them, he is cast aside with
as little compunction as an old glove.
In an interview with George Alfred,
the veteran journalist, Sherman re-
Gently said:
They really did not want me in
the cabinet, but wanted my senatorial
seat. 1t was represented to me that
they could not make up the cabinet
without me, and that questions were
coming along that I ought to have
control of. knew that Hanna wanted
the rest of my term, and as he had al
ways been friendly to me did not de-
sire to seem disobliging. So resigned
my seat and went into the cabinet.
1t then began to be said
that l was growing forgetful and sem
lie. Hanna, whom had obliged with
my seat, was among the first to say
that l had lost my mentality. 1t was
not very kind return for my vacating
my seat for him.
After l went into the Cabinet I
SAW very little of the President in con-
nection with the duties of my office.
A man was brought in there from
Canton who had run for Office only
once, | think, and had been defeated.
He did not seem to have much to do
in the State Department, but every
night he went to see the President
and rehearsed what had been done
there. regarded him as my inferior
and gave very little attention to him
or what lie was doing until one day
the President said to me: 'Mr. Sher-
man, what you have been saying, or
are reported to have said, is embarrass-
ing Judge Day" l was very much
surprising, and answered: Mr.. Presi-
dent, do you suppose that l would say
anything to injure the administration
of which l am q member?' The Pres
ident repeated nearly the same thing
Extensively to me. 1 got angry and /
came away and wrote out my resigna-
ton peremptorily.
az was always supporter of Presi-
dent Mckinley. You know that what
ever he desired to have-Governor,
President, anything Il sustained.
They always called upon me, and re-
sponded. But do not believe that
my suggestions or wishes would now
be considered by the administration.
l consented to give up my seat as l
did not want to appear exacting. AL
ways with good nature l have SUBJ
scribed to the programme. l think
that / have been used for purpose"
Sherman was used for purpose. In
order to court the favor of the men
who control the Republican party he
sacrificed his hold upon the common
people. Time and again the coveted
prize OF presidential nomination
was flashed before his eyes and then
snatched beyond his reach. He is
to-day disappointed and lonely old
man, betrayed by the men whom he
served and thought were his friends.
He is in position to thoroughly ap-
preciate the pathos and despair of the
exclamation of Wolsey:
" Had but served my God with half the zeal
served my King, He would not in mine old
age
Have left me naked to mine enemies"
Had Sherman but served the peo-
Pile with half the zeal that he has
served the money power, they would
not in his old age have betrayed him
and made him the subject of scott
and ridicule.