The Washington herald., 1912-03-10
SUNNY JIM In REAL LIFE
How Mr.. Sherman Spends a Day in Public
and Private HAS More Friends
Than Anybody Else.

He himself eats little. having been on
a diet for the last four years. Although
healthy man. his stomach Il not hts
strong point. A thin soup. few bites
Of stew that must not be greasy. a cup
custard. and q glass Of buttermilk make
up his meal
When, a good many years ago, ex-
Gov. odell, of New York. was chairman
Of the Committee on Accounts in tho
House Of Representatives. he was ac-
customed to invite Jim" Sherman and
some other good fellows to lunch in his
committee room. In this way came
about the formation Of q very Jolly eat
Ing coterie, which adopted the shocking
name OF Tapeworm GLIB. The club has
pever been allowed TO go out OF exist
ence, and still holds periodical banquets
at the houses Of its members.
His luncheon finished. the Vice Presi-
dent goes back to his office to see II
any important message or mall has ar
rived for him. II any visitors are watt
ing. he talks to them Then he returns
to his place In the Senate chamber and
stays there until adjournment. Though
leaving the chair from time to time. IL
may be to see visitors or delegations
whom his secretary knows he wants par
accessible. Members OF the House tele-
phone over TO ask permission to bring a
party OF people. Whole schools drop IN
by previous appointment, and he shakes
hands all around. with something pleas
ant to say to each person.
1t Is easy to realize that, under such
circumstances as are here described. seri-
Gus work OF any kind in the Vice Presi-
dents room Is almost out Of the ques-
e civ all n "a
In a room in the Senate office building.
where the letter files are kept and other
routine business transacted, including ths
sending out of documents, &C. Upstairs,
In the Capitol, Mr.. Sherman has a little
room of his own for. private talks
In addition to his private secretary he
has in his service a messenger, who is
incidentally stenographer, and page.
He also appoints the telegraph operator
for the Senate, who occupies a hole in
the Senate post-office downstairs. This is
all the patronage he possesses.
sunny JIM holds the most anomalous
office under the government He is made
the presiding officer of the Senate for no
reason except TO give him something 10
do. 1t would be quite as appropriate to
make him governor OF the District OF
Columbia He is not a member OF the
Senate and is not even admitted to the
caucuses of his party in that body. He
has no vote unless there is a tie. He
never speaks, and he is not on any COM
mittse.
On the other hand, his job is an easy
one unless he chooses TO make IL other
wise "Courtesy' rules the Senate and
there are no puzzling parliamentary prob
lens. such as constantly confront the
House. to decide
When the Senate has adjourned. Mr..
Sherman's car is called. and he starts
for home. II the hour IS not too late, he
drops in at the Metropolitan Club. His
dinner is at Z o'clock Often he has one
or two friends to dine with him. But I'm
the social season ordinarily Che Is in
mourning for his mother-in-law just at
presenD he goes out to dine almost every
often with Senators, mem
bers of the Cabinet. or other persouages
OF Importance In official life
He likes best of all to stay home and
read. Bedtime Is between 10 and IL
o'clock. when he is not too busy. He
neither smokes nor drinks In official
Washington society he is the biggest
spoke In the wheel. next to the Presi-
dent. He has three sons, all OF them
married. and four grandchildren-two
boys and twU girls.
The name sunny Jim has not been
bestowed upon him without good reason.
Cheerfulness exudes from his every pore
He is full of the milk OF human kind
ness, and is always wanting TO do some
thing for everybody. II. for example. a
seemingly justified plea for a pension
turns up. he will look the matter up
IL necessary in the hope that
o timely shove from him may bring It
to fruition-
About loo letters reach the ONCE OF the
Vice President every DAY, and one-third
Of these are invitations. Some are beg
ring letters. Not a few are from cranks.
There are lunatics with the delusion OF
who appeal to him for help
A recent correspondent asked his per
mission to cut down two OF the biggest
trees in the Sequoia National Park. An
other claims that the government owes
him a huge sum of money. Then, 81
course. there are the religious maniacs,
me Of whom signs himself Ezra. King
II Heaven" A man In Denver starts bis
etter, Unto Old Sunny Jim.' and wants
TO sell him law books Another writes=
VIII you sacrifice your honor and pris-
inc purity by confirming the appointment
II Blank as postmaster? Mr.. Blank took
lis first cousin as wife, which Is against
he law"
In an aIcove OF the Vice Presidents
oom at the Capitol is a gilt-framed mir
or, which was bought in John Adams
ime for $40. Senators Of that day are
aid to have reprimanded the Sergeant
at-arms for the extravaganza OF such
purchase. The most interesting object in
he chamber however, is painting OF
;eorRe WASHINGTON by Rembrandt Peale-
: is an enlargement from a miniature
originally made on ivory by the artist
t Valley Forge.