The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12
Why the Secretary of the Treasury Was
Once Called ''Old Apple Tree Shaw"
and Why He Became a Banker.
Twice Elected Governor in Spite Of the State
Organization, and Chosen to the
Cabinet Against His Will.

Denison-where Shaw had found himself
more bountiful home than that to
which he had taken Alice Crawshaw-
and the man who had seen the wisdom
Of loans to the farmers was made pres
ident.
Plan Usefulness and Happiness.
Life expanded for the two after that.
Both Mr. Shaw and his wife were ard
ent Methodists and assumed a position
of responsibility in their home church.
Both were strong advocates Of temper
ance. Both were great home bodies.
Both were abundantly happy IN having
a secure business. a beautiful home. and
three good children So the head OF
the house stuck TO his law bust
ness. looked after his bank. worshiped
his Maker manfuIly. and enjoyed his
home; while the woman occupied her
self plainly and unostentatiously in be-
ing first mother and wife, then a good
neighbor. and then an active worker for
her church. There was no display-and
there was no unrest.
Politics was a matter OF principle 20
Leslie Shaw, but IL never tempted him
as an employment. From campaign TO
campaign he spoke for the Republican
platform and spoke with conviction
His faith never varied. Today found
him true 20 every article OF political
faith he had approved four years be-
fore and so along about 1890. when free
silver had swept Republican and Demo
crat alike from their moorings. plain,
substantial Leslie Shaw stood stock
stiH.
The whole State OF Iowa heard the
its ears. although nearly every conspicu-
Gus speaker in both parties had Joined
the chorus. The most pronounced dis
cord came from Denison where "a man
named Shaw. a country banker was
arguing with ugly, hard. unpoetic, and
behind-the-time facts as his ammunition.
And in two years these arguments were
echoing all over the State. Now. in about
two years more the whole Republican
party reached the conclusions Shaw had
been expounding from his platform In
DenisOn, and the machine began looking
about for a good candidate for governor.
The members Of the machine had heard
Of Shaw. of course. But they wanted
a man who had earned the nomination
by allegiance to the Organization"
They found one without much trouble.
and, that necessary preliminary out Of
the way, they began preparations for
the State convention.
Swept Into Des Moines.
What happened in the course OF the
next few months Is mighty interestin'
readin'-" The people Of Iowa who vot-
ed the Republican ticket really controll-
ed the fortunes OF the Republican con-
vention. Like a prairie fire. the fever
for Shaw swept across the State, until
the members Of the machine not only
withdrew their opposing candidate. but,
smiling as sweetly as they could, join
ed In the cry for Shaw When the cleo
ton came along Shaw went into Des
Afoines, governor by a majority obtain
ed from the people OF lows direct, and
not through any political go-between-
1t is a long step from a modest home
in country town to the executive Office
In Des MOines. 1t involved a COM
plete readjustment OF social perspec-
tive. Yet there is no record that 1t
disturbed the principles Of the life
"Old Apple Tree Shaw had led
with his wife and children in Denison.