The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-24
MEN OF AFFAIRS.

among those men of affairs who IS q rule
naks far better foreign ministers than
those whom Simon Cameron called. re-
peasing ths criticism of Napoleon Bona
parte. sd literary fsllers-" The sur
prise" il with Us; we are surprised" that
any intelligent man whose mental vision
is not cIouded by the cataract OF mug
wumpery should be so grossly ignorant OF
Gen. Schenek's distinguished career.
Gen. Robert c. schenck was born in
franklin, o., October 4. 1909; was gradu-
ated at the Miami university in 1sz7. re-
manned resident graduate and tutor three
years longer; studied law with the cele-
brated Thomas Corwin and began practice
at Dayton, O. He became . member Of
the Ohio legislature in 1s4l-42. displaying
practical knowledge and pungent wit in
debates He was then elected IS Wing
to congress and served four terms, from
December 4, ls43, to March 5. 1851. dis
speeches in debate were SO able that they
were quoted in standard readers" and
speakers" of that day. During his ser
vice as Wing congressman he was chair
man of the committee on roads and
canals. March II, 1851, he was appointed
minister 20 Brazil. In 1852 be arranged q
treaty of commercial friendship with the
government Of the Argentine Repub-
lie. and one for the free nasIga-
ton of the River La Plata and its
great tributaries. He also negotiated
treaties with the governments of Uruguay
and Paraguay. From October s, 1853 to
the breaking out of the civil war he was
engaged in railroad business in Ohio.
He offered his services to the government
whenthe civil war broke out and was one
ofthe FIRST brigadier generals of volunteers
appointed by President Lincoln May II.
1861 His brigade fought at the first Bull
Run battle; he served in West Virginia
under Gen. Rosecrans; he and Gen. Mil
roy fought Stonewall Jackson ct Nc
Dowell in May, 1862, and at the battle of
Cross Keys ne led the Ohio troops in a
charge on the right and maintained the
ground he had won until he was ordered
to retire. He was appointed TO the COM
mand Of a division. At the second battle
of Bull Run he commanded division and
was wounded by q musket ball, which
shattered his right arm, incapacitating
him from active service until December Ii,
1853. when he was appointed 10 the COM
mand of the middle department and the
Eighth Army corps at Baltimore with the
rank of major general of volunteers. He
performed effective service IN the Gettys-
burg campaign. and resigned his commits
sion on December 3, 1853. In order to take
his place in the house of representatives,
in which he served as chairman Of the
committee on military affairs. He was
reelected to congress in 1866 and 1868,
serving as chairman of ways and means,
succeeding the famous Thad Stevens.
On the 22d of December, 1870. he re-
ceived the appointment OF minister TO
Great Britain and in 1871 he was one OF
the Alabama commission. He resigned
his post in 1876 In consequence Of the fail
ure of the Emma Silver Mine Company, in
which no had permitted himself to be
chosen as q director. and resumed the
practice of the law in Washington City.
In ls7T-7s he was attacked with Bright's
disease and his life was despaired of. but
being a man of unusual strength of will he
obeyed the directions of his physician, re-
stricted himself to diet OF skim milk and
crackers, recovered his health entirely and
lived TO be over 50 years of age. dying then
at Washington City of pneumonia. Gen.
schonck was q very able. useful, patriotic
man. of genial temper.
The origin of the name "Poker
schenek" grew out Of the fact that Gen.
Sehenck. TO oblige an English friend,
wrote out some general maxims or rules
of American poker. Tho Englishman
published them; they were made the most
of by the Democratic press in America
despite the fact that some very able and
upright statesmen aud patriotic soldiers
have been inveterate card players, like
Henry Clay, Charles James Fox and Mar
shall Butcher. So far as allowing the use OF
his name as director of Emma Mine Com
pany il was an error Of judgment in long
life OF varied and uninterrupted useful
ness. There was nothing partisan in the
organization of the company. 7. w.
Park, one OF its owners. was Republican,
and bis attorney. who organized the COM
pany aud negotiated the sale In England.
vas f. j. Phelps. a lifelong Democrat,
whom President Cleveland appointed min.
lister to England in 1855 and whom Presi-
deaf Harrison appointed one Of our coun.
eel before the Paris fur-bearlng seal
tribunal, and Mr.. Phelps is now q lecturer
on jurisprudence before Yale university.
Gen. schenek was rs free OF any suspicion
of corruption in this matter as was Minis
ter Phelps, who was subsequently, honored
by 10th Presidents Cleveland and Harri-
son. In a &c OF good nature he violated
the highest wisdom OF diplomatic ETH
ques,e, but il vas the only error OF long
and able ana patriotic career, and he at
oncs resigned as soon as he understood
the true situation
Minister Motley, on the ether hand, be-
haxea most oatrageoaay, for, after being
swIee officially warned by Secretary Fish
that be Was responsible TO the presto ent
Of the United states aud not 90 United
States Senator Samner for the failurs or
success Of the Alabama negotiations, be
persisted in ignoring The instructions o.
she secretary OF state and concluding the
negotiations In the spirit Of Mr.. Sumner
Alabama War Gains" speech. PFesi.
dent Grant and Secretary Fish remons.
trated with Motley, reprimandsa him and
nnally removed him. Cen Schsnck vas s