Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-07
SCHOOL TEACHERs IN POLITICS.
The Large Number OF Presidential APP
pointees who Began as Teachers.

ANY one who mas closely NaJcneu the
course OF the present administration in
the matter OF appointments to Office, must
have noticed that many-in fact, ma
jority-of the more important appointees
have at some period in their careers fig
ured as school teachers. Whether their
classroom experience had anything to
do with their selection by the President
is, of course. d matter OF surmise, but the
knowing ones say that Mr. Cleveland has
a natural leaning towards those Who be-
gan life like himself. The President. as
Is generally known, spent tae first years
of his manhood at the school desk, ana
as reader IN an asylum for the blind, edu-
eating himself ana preparing for the bar
at the same time. II We 20 back 20 the
early DAYS Of the men who have been
lately hOuored by the administration, we
shall find that many OF them have a SINH
lar history. Mr.. Phelps, the Minister TO
England, presided over small country
school in Vermont when he was not quite
is and was a college professor at the time
Of his appointment to the diplomatic SER
vice. Gov. McLane, Minister to the French
government, earned enough money by
teaching to keep himself two years in
university. Mr.. Kelley, who was ap-
pointed representative at the Court OF vi
emma, and afterwards resigned, passed
four years as vice Principal of his father 5
academy at Petersburg and Is very fond
OfrefeTring TO the time thus spent, attri-
buting 10 1t the requirement OF the pa
tience and industry which have given
him success.
Mr.. LOthrOp, Minister to Russia, after
graduating in the law department OF Har-
ward, went to Michigan 10 grow up with
the country. The profits OF his profess
sion did not, however. grow as fast as his
necessities aud he was obliged to assume
the duties Of pedagogue for about nine
months in order to make both ends meet.
Every one has heard OF Minister C0X's
failure in teaching the youthful mind
how to shoot. Three months in an Ohio
school, devoted more to pugilistic exer-
cises with refractory pupils than TO class
work, convinced the young teacher that
he had mistaken his vocation. A request
for his resignation, indOrsed unanimously
by the boys parents, mad also something
20 do with Mr.. COX's retirement from the
held Of pedagOgIsm. Rufus Magee, who
has gone to Sweden. instructed Catholic
youth in the parochial schools at Vim
cennes, Ind. have heard that Gen. Jack
son, Minister to Mexico, taught for some
time in Georgia military school, but DO
mention is made of this IN the sketches Of
his life which have recently been
published. Lower grades Of the Dip
lOmatic Service, and indeed the Whole
list Of appointments, show the same
predOminance of whilOm school teachers,
as appears in the first and second-class
missions.
The heroes of the birch have gone up
sven higher. Since 1880 we have seen in
the Executive chair three Presidents who
nnga appfrn igH n cphnnl
houses. President Garfield left the tow
path for the teachers desk and was all
his life connected with educational instI-
tutions in one capacity or another. 1t Is !
said that he contemplated accepting the
presidency Of a Massachusetts college
when he was Unexpectedly made the Re
publican standard-bearer; but, of course,
be no longer considered the idea after
that event. President Arthur likewise
welded the rod before welding the Ex~
ecutive authority. The particulars Of the
teaching period Of the x-President's life
are not generally known. IL is certain
that he caught the Western fever away
back in the '50s, and set out for Iowa 10
garner in the wealth which was so scarce
among the sterile mountains Of Vermont.
The garnering was not so easy as he eX-
pected. Like thousands of other men
who have gone West with the idea that
stray fortunes are wandering around |
there, seeking a convenient pocket In
which TO repose, he found that work, and !
very hard work, too, was the only key to |
treasure chest. Having only a
OF law and an Indifferent gen.
eral education, be at first sought in vain
q Held where his requirements might |
bring him fortune or even a subsistence. |
1t is said that be tried the plOwshare for a |
while. Then he drifted into a country
store as book-keeper, clerk, porter and |
sweeper. Finally he conceived the happy |
idea OF opening a school during the win
ter months. This plan was OF all his Wes- !
tern ventures the most productive finan-
cially, for In less than six months he man.
aged by close economy tolay aside enough
money to bring him back 10 the East, and
forthwith left for home. Soon afterwards
be was admitted to the bar in New York, |
where ne practiced his profession till he
was appointed collector Of the port. Pres
ident Cleveland IS the third OF the trio of
teachers who have gone up from the school
house 10 the White House. Had the Re
publicans been successful in the last cam
paign we would still have three success
I've Presidents who began life as peda-
gogues. Mr.. Blaine's career as professor
In Kentucky military academy has been
sketched frequently within the past year
too frequently, in fact. for Mr.. Blaine's
peace Of mind and success as Presiden-
tisl candidate.
A glance at the early life OF some Of the
Of the Eorty-eighth Congress,
Laken almost at random, shows that the
school house has been the noyitiate
through which many OF our ablest legis- |
ators have passed before they attained |
Speaker Carlisle lorded il |
,Yer two score Kentucky urchins while !
for the bar, and still lives near |
he school house within whose wills he |
nstilled wisdom into the minds OF en- |
'ryo Kentucky colonies. He is very |
ond OF the building, keeping 1t in repair /
It bis own expense and contributing |
RELY TO sustain IL as "a private institu-
ion. since the public schools have taken
away most OF It's patronage. The Speak
n. with his smooth. thoughtful face, In
brow, patient-looking eyes, even
ret resembles the typical pedagogue. Sem
ltOr Camden, Of West Virginia, earned
he dollars which were the foundation OF
his present millions by taking pupils in
while looking about for a
profitable occupation. Senator ingalls,.
after being admitted 10 the Massachusetts
BAR, emigrated 10 Kansas about the time
II the border troubles, but, finding no
opportunity 10 hang out his
hingle, he devoted portion OF his time
% explaining mathematics TO Young Kan.
asites. His colleague, Senator Plumb.
uttered on the road 20 fame from thesame
starting place, though he branchod OF
nto the path OF journalism after q few
months. Senator FRYE, like his chief.
ir. Blaine, could find nothing better 10
a a. IL ara ~ Cd los