The state herald., 1908-09-18
James Schoolcraft Sherman, the
Original "Sunny Jim."
A Wise, Versatile, Experienced
Statesman Who Has Shaped
National Legislation.

Yention at Chicago, II is said that IN
the vast thrOng OF his home people who
turned out TO meet him was an old
woman, bent with the burden of eighty
years. She approached Mr.. sherman,
whom she has known almost since his
birth and declared TO him that he had
been selected by Providence to his new
office of honor, in order to teach the
American people the gospel of good
cheer and sunshine of kindness for all
Americans.
1t Is not definitely known that she
is In the confidence of Providence, and
So speaks by the card. but Sherman's
career up to date has shown his capa-
blities in that line. lie is the original
sunny Jim," and wears the smile
that won't come OF.
The Original sunny jim"
This is not superficial attempt TO
look pleasant 1t does not sequester
itself in the wrinkles of his mouth or
the lines around his eyes. This gen
ial, expansive, irradiating smile speaks
of good digestion. a sunny tempera-
mcet and Il complaccnt mind, possessed
by man who is pretty well satisfied
with the past, and reasonably sure of
the future. A man of cheerful ycsttr-
days and confident to-morrows He
has been laughing good humor for II
little more than half a century. Now
the world laughs with him. His sun
shine and good cheer. as bread cast
upon the waters. returned to him
pOund-cakc, as Josh Billings would
say, and out nf this and other assets
he has been enabled TO rise. and be
nominated TO the second highest posi-.
tion within the gift Of his countrymen.
sherman, seymour, ConkiinE, horn
at Utica.
Sunny Jim" sherman first appeared
on earth at the village of New Hart
ford. New York, a suburb OF Utica, on
the night OF October -. 1850. two
years before Mr.. Taft saw the light In
Cincinnati. Utica was already at that
time pointing with pride TO one OF her
illustrious sons In the person OF Hor.
alto Seymour, and was soon TO point
with increasing pride TO another still
more illustrious son In the person OF
Roscoe Conkllng. Mr. Sherman's faith
cr was u lawyer OF prominence In
Central New York and determined
that no ''pent.up Utica" should re-
strict the powers OF his son, and so he
srnt him at the proper time to Whites.
town Seminary and Hamilton College.
lie came out II husky youth-he weigh.
ed iD0 pounds at sixteen years OF nee-
with uratorlcal talent and reputation
as q good student
neionEs TO old American Family.
His family runs baci, to Roger sher.
man who was one of the signers OF the
DESIGNATION OF Independence, AMI back
OF him for more than one hundred
years TO 1900. when the first Sherman
came over from England 10 this coun.
try, with a strain OF stolid Dutch In his
veins. John Sherman. the Ohio Scna.
tor, nnd william Tccumsch Sherman.
the great Civil War general. were from
the same original stock. Edward
Everett Hale Is also distant connec.
tlon. schoolcraft. the historian Of the
American Indians. was sunny Jim
shermnn's great-grandfather.
Gets into Politics Early.
One OF the FIRST things the Vice
Presidential nominee did when he re,
turned from college was 10 Accept the
nomination for Stnte Senator on the
Republican ticket. aud was beaten by
only one vote. lie was elected mayor
OF utica at the Hgr OF -. lie was thr
youngest municipal head the city had
ever had. From That date politics ha,
wcoci him away from his profcsslot
of law. lie was elected to Congress
and Inns served his constituency with
but one excepted term ever since. III
IL now In his tenth congressional term
There In ''big i've" In the lower
house OF Congress, who do things aud
largely shnpa the legislation OF III,
country.
A Adept rarii.@-atarian.
Mr Sherman wns a particular friend
Of Thomas Brackett Reed. formori,
Speaker Of tho llous-. who considered
him the best pnrllnmcntnrian on II,
floor iic often turned over tho gave
10 Sunny Jlm," who occupied th,
chair during some Of our most import
ant legislation In recent years. II,
presided frequently during tho famoni
debate on the Dlngiey Tariff Blli an,
on the Cuban War Revenue Blll, sacl
of which occupied many weeks. Mr
Heed appointed him chairman Of III,
Committee on Indian Affairs In th,
botb Congress, n placr he has slnc
nlied with distinguished succea., M,
slso 10 membership ON the Committee
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce
Mr.. shermsBH most important iefiu
isilvc work has perhaps been don. ol
the indian Afrnifr Committee. lie
credited with better understanding o