The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-23

manner that was phenomenal; then, with
disability that was pitiful.
The President-elect sent his cousin, VII
liam Mckinley Osborne, now consul general
at London, 10 Washington 10 ascertain
whether Mr.. Sherman might be induced TO
consider proposition TO transfer his sphere
OF usefulness from the Senate 10 the De-
partment of State. He arrived at 5 O'Clock
one afternoon in January. 1897, took room
at the Arlington Hotel. got his dinner, and
then called at Mr.. Sherman house. The
latter had an unhappy faculty or forgetting
people. Some OF his oldest friends were
never surpr sed ii he did not recognize them.
One day wnen he found Justice Mckenna,
enc OF his Cabinet colleagues, sitting in the
PRESIDENTS room he went up TO him, shook
hands mar cordially and asked him If ne Mas Mas
henna had been sitting beside Mr.. Sher-
man at the Cabinet table twice week Tor
several months he was quite surprised 1t
the question.
Mr.. Sherman had met Mr.. Osborne many
times but did not remember him When
MS Identity was fully established Mr.. Us
borne explained as delicately as possible.
that the president considering his Cab
met and desired TO know whether Mr. eher-
man might be regarded as a possible choice
IN case matters shaped themselves that
ms appointment was advisable. He ex-
plalnt q expl -citiy that he was not author zsd
70 tender him a position: that the President
had not yet reached point where he could
invite any one into his official family, but
ne would like TO know If Mr.. Sherman. I'M
ger any circumstances, would consider an
invitation II IL were rendered him. Mr..
sherman thanked Mr.. Osborne for the hon.
or or being mentioned in connection with
high an office and asked for little time TO
consider. the subject was discussed at
length the entire evening and when Mr.
Osborne left the house il was understood
that he should nave an answer the next
morning in time TO take the 10 O'Clock train
for Canton. AT $50 promptly he appeared
at the Sherman mansion, and TO his utter
amazement he was compelled to again in
troduce himself and explain to Mr.. Sherman
who he was and what he had come for. The
venerable statesman did not remember any
thlng about the conversation held only
Twelve hours previous. The whole subiect
Sherman again asked time 10 consider
When Mr.: Osborne arrived in Canton the
PreSldent-elect was at luncheon and greeted
him with the inquiry: We'll, what did
Uncle John have TO say?"
Look here. William, exclaimed Osborne
the next time you send me to see a man
about going into your Cabinet / hope you
VIII select one who will remember me over
us he so bad as that?" inquired the Presi-
dent-elect
Yes" replied Osborne. and he related his
experience.
IF that is the situation remarked the
President-elect. IF Uncle John is bad as
that we had better not crowd him.
,l, should say not" responded Osborne
evening and then again in the morning that
Mr.. Osborne was not authorized to tender
him position in the Cabinet, Mr.. sherman
assumed that he had done so. wrote Mr.. Nc
kinley "A letter of thanks and acceptance
and followed ii by a personal visit to Cam
ton where he discussed affairs as intelIi-
gently d he might have done twenty years
before. Thus was the President entirely de-
ceived TO his condition.
Mr.. sherman has employed his time since
he left the Cabinet in the preparation of
third volume of his autobiography, which
carries him from his election TO his last term
in the Senate down to the present date and
his comments upon the policy of the present
administration and his own treatment are
said 10 be very severe He discusses the war
with Spain in a most vigorous manner.
am told. attacks the War Department. and is
especially vindictive toward the President
Secretary Ager and Judge Day also while
he defends General Miles. the husband of his
niece, with great vgor. The book is still in
manuscript. and ii is said 10 be his intention
TO send it TO the publisher this spring.
in October aHt We" It was the rst time she
Was ever attended by a physician. She has
partially recovered, and is able to move
about a little, although both her mind and
body still show the effects of the shock. She
Is seventyfour years old: he is seventy-hve
Her attendants have not permitted her to
know anything about his illness for fear of
another stroke.
Mr. Sherman has no family except an
adopted daughter. Mary. who is the wife OF
Robert McCallum, modest gentleman who
for several years and at the time of his mar
rage was clerk in the library of the SUI
preme Court. When Mr.. Sherman went into
the State Department he was appointed edi-
tor of laws, which is a sinecure, with a
salary of 5000 year. Since then Mr.. Nc
Callum has been attending law lectures and
studying French in New York and Washing
| ton. There are two grandsons bright. sturdy
| little fellows. about two and six years of
age, who will inherit their grandfather )
| fortune.
| Mr. Sherman is rich man, although his
wealth has been commonly overestimated- IL
| is mostly in real estate, and has rapidly adj
| vanced in value. The greater part of his
money is due to his faith in the future of
| Washington. During the improvements
| made here by Boss" Shepherd he invested
10, o,,l hoe l.trx- n &c
means would permit Some of the property
| for which he paid and 10 cents a square
| foot is selling for many dollars. He
| lives in fine house and enjoys luxury.
| although he is frugal in his habits and his
| wants are few. He always counts his money.
and while strictly honest. he never permits
| himself TO be imposed upon. He INDUCES In
no eXtravagances and never wastes cent.
| He has always been a just man in the
| highest sense of that word although not
generous.