Evening journal., 1911-12-04
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
When "Phil" Sheridan
Waved Aside the PreSl-
denCy
BY Holland.

I
q don't believe that in our entire
political history man ever came so
near a nomination for the Presidency
and so spontaneously, apparently,
waved il aside, as did Gen. Phil Sher-
idan at the Chicago Republican Presi-
Dental convention in $780," said re-
Gently Thomas l.. James, Postmaster
General in Garhelds cabinet.
IL was my good fortune to have q
seat next to General Sheridan on the
platform Of the convention hall, or
Wlgwam as IL was called I had long
known Sheridan and il was therefore
easy for me TO enter into frequent con-
versation with him. He told me that
he had never before attended ma
I tionsl convention of that kind. and
that he was able to be present at this
convention chiefly because he was in
command of the department of the
United States Army whose headquar-
tcrs were I'm Chicago
AT one of the sessions General
Sheridan pointed TO the skylight IN the
roof over the stage and then, pulling
me toward him, so that he might whis-
per conldentially to me, said: I have
an orderly up on the roof. He has been
stationed there to await the Presiden-
! tial nomination. AS soon as il is made
he will wave a handkerchief so that
the battery on the park in front of the
/ Wigwam can Immediately hre a sa-
| Lutte
After the deadlock began. by which
the nomination of any candidate and
| especially tho nomination of either
! Blaine or Grant, was sure TO be pre-
| vented, Sheridan seemed greatly inter
ested in tho balloting as they we're
taken. Once he whispered to me: That
orderly up on the roof is having a
long wait, and if may be several days,
apparently, before he can wave the
signal to the officer in command of
the battery
when everybody began TO be wear
led with the deadlock and il became
apparent that dark horse would cap
ture the nomination, a delegate from
Montana, then a territory, who was
seated in the gallery, arose when the
| secretary of the convention, calling
tho roll of the States. reached the
name of Montana
Mr. President, cried the delegate
in a voice that carried all over the
great hall, Montana instructs me to
place in nomination for the Presidency
that grand and illustrious soldier
General Philip II. Sheridan.
II never shall forget the queer look
with which Sheridan turned to me
when he heard his name mentioned.
There was q sort of sickly smile upon
his face which broadened gradually
into a curious sort of grin, as though
he thought it all joke.
q looked out over the convention
and saw that the delegates were just
! In the frame OF mind to nominate by
! acclamation. Had there been a delay
of two or three minutes it is certain
| that Sheridan's name would have been
upon the lips of every delegate to the
convention, excepting, possibly, the
306 had pledged themselves 10 support
General Grant to the end.
Sheridan turned to me. What shall
/ do?' he asked. DO they mean it?'
General / said, unless you stop
IL this instant, you will be the can
didate Of the Republican party for
President within the next five min
utes'
How can 7 stop it?' he demanded.
Get up; go to the front of the
platform; ask the chairman, Senator
Hoar, if you may speak He will grant
your request. Then tell the conven-
tion that you cannot accept the nom
nation
Quick as a fash Sheridan was on
his feet, and, having heen recognized
out of courtesy by Senator Hoar. he
waited for a moment until the conver-
ton was absolutely quiet Then, raj
ing his hand, he said. Gentlemen,
have Just heard my name mentioned
by delegate from Montana. I wam
TO say TO you that I could not accept
this nomination, and even if it should
come TO me, I would pass it along tC
my next friend. ! don't care who he is
provided nc Is a good Republican.
Then, in a lower tone of voice he ad
ded / moan this. | shall support Will
heart and soul the candidate of thi.
convention, but you must name an
other than myself
The convention saw that Sheridan
meant IT, They cheered him as he tool
his seat, and then, as the dreary bal
loting began once more. said to him
| Neueldli uy your own dNl you nav
given mp the Presidency of the Unitel
States. for had you been nominate'
you would have swept the country
Garheld's election i'm November serve
10 confirm me in this belief
Copyright 1911, by Il. }. Edwards
All rights resryed)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell 0
"AdeIina PATHS Musical Bushes