The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-03-23

Washington special TO Toledo Blade'
when the death Of that grand old man.
John A. Bingham. was known In Wash.
ington. called on John Sherman. /
knew that Bingham and Sherman had
enteFed congress on the same day
March 4, 1855. There was something
indescribably pathetic In my call at
Senator sherman's home. was in the
presence Of the lone remaining grand
old man Of our great stata. Since 1854,
when Bingham and Sherman were
chosen to congress, Ohio has had three
Presidents. When Bingham and sher-
man were sworn In as members Pres
ident Mckinley was boy Of 10.
Since that day Sherman has heard of
the death Of all the great men Of Ohio,
who with him made the state famous
IN the slsterhood Of states Delano.
Thurman, Allen, Wade, Pendleton.
Garhld, Hayes, Giddings and now
Bingham have been gathered 70 their
Bather-and Sherman, tall, gaunt ven
cradle and feeble, remains. found the
great statesman in his library vast
room, crowded with books and on the
walls pictures Of those dearest to him
personally OF in his political career.
There was on the mantel photographs
from paintings Of his father and
mother. The father died ii 1899. 81 do
not remember him." said the senator.
II was but six years OF age, and have
no recollection of his appearance" The
photograph represents a man OF most
distinguished features and aristoCratlc
bearing,
All his Old Friends Gone.
$50 Bingham is gone" said the ven
cradle Sherman. ''Ah, me, all my old
friends and co-workers are in their
graves. 1 feel that am myself in the
past and my work finished. I am not
given to worry, however. and I am
thankful that my life has been spared
go long and that have served my
country. Yes. / knew Bingham very
wen. We were elected to congress- at
the same time. That was in 1854. when
there was a revolution In politics and
the Democrats were swept out every
where, especially in Ohio. Bingham was
seven years my senior. We stood up
together to be sworn in. That was
torty-Ave years ago. He remained In
the house many years after went to
the senate. We met often, though after
became senator we did not have 50
much intercourse as in the lower house.
remember him as a remarkable ora
tor probably the most eloquent com
gresham of all, though might except
corwin.
Bingham was exceedingly poetical
and Aowery in his speeches, and he
liked to make speech did not think
him profound man, that is, not a
leader OF men, but he had a wonderful
mind, great Information. and was of
high character. A very useful man he
was. too. in those stirring days. SO
Bingham is dead. have not seen him
in many years. but remember he was
minister to Japan, where he was very
valuable"
Enjoying Life with Books.
Senator Sherman, never voluble, but
always interesting. talked Of his long
public career with evident but modest
pride. Going over 1t briefly. referring
to the forty.fve years he had given to
the nation. he concluded by saying:
Nov 1 am through. / am trying to
enjoy the rest of my life among my
books. want to live as long as I can.
like 1t in Washington in the winter.
and In the summer I enjoy going to
Mansfield. am inclined to be content.
I owe no man anything liked my
life IN the senate, and would gladly
have remained there. However, in
what l thought was a public exigency
l accepted the appointment as secre-
tary OF state. Wen. was not there
long until I found that was not
wanted. But 1 make no complaint
MY health is better than 1t has been in
two years. and I did intend to visit
Paris this year. wanted to 60 by