James Schoolcraft Sherman papers

1883-1912 [bulk 1906-1912]

James Schoolcraft Sherman (1855-1912), lawyer, banker and vice-president of the United States, began his political career as mayor of Utica, N.Y. in 1884. In 1886 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served until 1908 excepting 1891 to 1893. He was chairman of the Republican state conventions in 1895, 1900 and 1908, and chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1906. In 1908 he was elected as William Howard Taft's vice-president. Four years later he was renominated but died before the election. Collection consists of correspondence, financial documents, writings, scrapbooks, and other materials that document Sherman's political career. General correspondence, 1883-1912, constitutes the bulk of the papers and covers official, semi-official, business, and personal matters. Subjects include the campaign and election for the vice-presidency; Sherman's candidacy for Speaker of the House of Representatives, 1899; his control of patronage and party machinery; his defeat by Theodore Roosevelt for chairmanship of the New York Republican Convention in 1910; the Progressive Party; legislation enacted during the Roosevelt and Taft administrations, especially the Payne-Aldrich Tariff of 1909; the Republican Party; the Utica Trust and Depository Company of which he was president; veterans' claims; request for support to pass or defeat bills; and endorsements for appointments. Correspondents were members of Congress, department heads in Washington, members of the Roosevelt and Taft cabinets, constituents, and business and personal associates. Also includes his personal financial documents, 1896-1912; letters, petitions, and legal documents, 1896, concerning contested elections; Sherman's speeches; scrapbooks of materials about politics; and graphics, photographs, artifacts, and printed matter.