The Washington times., 1908-06-19
James Sherman, of Utica,
Has Long SerUed in the House
Head of Concerns in Home Town-Once Candidate Fol
Speakershp- Investigated Hazing at the
Naval Academy.

James Schoolcraft Sherman was born
IA Utica. \. Y, October "A, 1850 Ho re-
ceived an academic and college edu-
cation, graduating from Hamilton COL
lege in the class OF 1873. In 1850 he was
admitted TO the bar, becoming a mem
her OF the firm of CooEinham & Sher-
man. In March, 1884, he was elected
mayor of Utica, then q Democratic city.
by a subs initial majority. In 1883 he
was chosen temporary chairman TO pre-
side over the deliberations Of the Re-
publican State convention at Saratoga.
Air. Sherman is an orator of no mean
ability and during his political career
has been chosen upon many State and
historic occasions to deliver addresses. I
this manner he enhanced his popularity
10 the point where lie thought he could
venture 10 enter the Congressional race.
He was elected 10 the Finieth, Fifty
hrst, and Ffty-third Congresses, and re
elected to the Fifty-fourth Congress
as a Republican, receiving 22,51O votes
against 16.26s votes for John -. Hen
derson. the Democratic candidate. The
two other tickets in the field drew zoos
votes for " T. Curtis, the Prohibition
candidate, and 7s4 votes for the Popu-
list candidate. lie was again elected TO
the Fifty-hfth, Fifty-sixth. Fifty-sev-
enth. Fifty-eignth. Fifty-ninth and Six
tieth Congresses.
Heads Utica Concerns.
Mr.. Sherman is a man Of affairs, and
one OF scne moment In the business
history of New York State. lie is heau
of the Utica Trust Company. and pres
ldent OF the New HarIfoTt Canning
Company. Years ago there was COM
bination OF all the ice companies IN
Utica under one head, and the pool Of
interests was headed by Mr.. Sherman.
In addition 10 those interests he is d
member Of the directorate OF half
dozen banks and trust companies, and
is rated as the richest man in Utica
II has long been said that Mr.. Sher-
man was one OF the trusted heGtenants
Of Senator Plat. and hs has been
through many hard-fought political
battles, IN all OF which ne showed his
skill as a politician.
sherman was severely criticised at
the time Of the forming of the lee
combination in Utica. q was said that
thu methods Of the local trust were
rather harsh, and that prices were
boosted without regard 10 prevailing
conditions. However, this blew over.
and the fact that the people OF the
Mohawk valley again sent him to the
lower house OF Congress showed they
still believed in him.
Mr.. Sherman has always taken a
keen interest IN national politics and
his prediction made some time ago
showed his insight into the situation.
In Aa1auy he gave out an interview
I'm which ne predicted the nomination
OF TAFT on the first ballot and pro-
unesled that either Dolliyer or Fair
banks would be chosen for second place.
Chairman Of Congressional Committee
Representative sherman is chairman
OF the Republican Congress ionaI Com
mittee and his hand has been felt more
than once in the political situation
where affairs threatened to become pre-
carious.
Las year quite a little publicity was
drawn upon the head of Mr.. Sherman
BY the disclosures of lis part in the
-.neged Harrim2u contribution TO the
Republican national campaign. At the
time OF the revelations last year
storm was raised which created TO end
OF scandal thrO GghOut 1E7 East. Mr..
Hartman said that Sherman had acted
as agent Ia the quest for campaign
funds. Representative Sherman ana
Speaker Cannon returned from cruise
I'm the BeTmUdaS ABOUT the time that
the controversy had started 10 Wane
and both were besieged by reporters
at the dock Wireless kilograms had
been received by both men before the
ship locked when read:
Avoid political interviews. J. o.
The indemnity Of u O o. has never
been disclosed, but fl had the effect OF
making both men silent. Speaker Can
non hurried away TO Washington and
Sherman to his home in Utica.
Tried to Be Speaker.
In 1899 Mr.. Sherman aspIred TO be
come Speaker Of the House OF ReT re-
sentatives. He made frequent trips TO
New York city and held long confer
enCes with Senator Plat and other
highly influential politicians. In his
fight It was said at the time that Mr..
Sherman had tacit agreements with
Senator Depew and Representative Lit
tauer that they were to assist him.
The Western delegations in the HOL Sc
planned to beat Sherman. New Eng
land was carefully pOlled and showed
its strength for Mr.. Moody, Of Massa-
chusetts. Senator Quay Of Pennsylva-
MIA with that fine Italian instinct
which made him famous, held his State
aloof, not declaring for any candidate.
There was a luli in Mr.. Sherman's