The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-10
German as a Professor.

At the opening Of the summer school or
Clark University, Worcester, Mass, the
other day Senator Hoar delivered an adj
dress. This was before there had been
any whisper Of Senator Germans inten-
ton 10 retire" and the Massachusetts,
Senator must. therefore, be acquitted OF
anything like collision in making the
suggestion he did make on that occasion.
Mr. Hoar deprecated the absence I'm this
country OF any great university where
the science, not to say the arts, Of states
mansOip were specifically taught.
where" he asked patheucally. us an
American legislator or statesman 20 learn
anything Of the mechanism Of govern
ment as it exists in other countries, or
indeed, Of great deal of II
as IL exists in a great deal OF our
own?" Answering his own question, he
advocated the establishment of a national
university where the science Of politics
should be- adequately taught By expert
enced masters and past masters Of the
art.
The cost Of its foundation" he en-
Enthusiastically contended, cannot be great.
We have men who have large training
I'm our own public life, such men as Senator
Allison or Senator Hale, or Senator COCK
rill or Senator German. who might easily
tit themselves 10 conduct such an iusu-
tuition. a chair in such university
would be an object Of high ambition for
the most eminent Of our statesmen Wnen
he should withdraw from active pollllcai
life Such a school established In America
would in my opinion, attract pupils from
the whole civilized world
1t is not always easy TO tell whether
Senator Hoar is n profound satirlst or
f...n. NnH If
tainly his persistent habit Of attribuung
10 the United States Senate virtues when
VIGOROUSLY il does not possess has had
the effect Of directing public attention an
the more fOrcibly TO the weaknesses ana
shortcomings Of that body. save us from
our friends and apologists may wei pe
the cry Of Senator Hoar's colleagues. II
is impossible therefore, 10 know whether
his present suggestion Of Senator Gormah
as the possible head Of a great university,
i'm which the ingenious youth OF America
are to be trained in the paths or states
manship and INSTRUCTED in the mechan-
ism OF government" is seriously meant
or not. Mechanism" IS a good woru
and admirably adapted 20 Senator Or
mans peculiar talents. machinery
would also convey the same ldea'
Professor Germans chair In the pro-
posed university would be that uhuoupt-
edly Of applied politics apphed 10 the
art Of getting office and staying there.
4 course OF lectures by the professor
on "The art OF living luNuriously in
Washington on 5000 a year would at
tract widespread attention. on the SUD-
iect OF legislative "hold-ups' 'coinpro-
misses" and "straddles" the knowledge
that he possesses and IS capable OF I'M
parting surpasses probably that OF any
Of his colleagues IL will be noticed that
while Senator Hoar includes him IN the
list OF "eligibles" for his proposed uni
versity, he omits probably as IN ms
Judgment men Of Inferior merit, such
distinguished practitioners as quay and
Plat.
But. perhaps although we see no cyl
dence Of it in the comments or the New
England press upon Senator hodr ao-
dress, which appears 70 have been taken
in perfect good faith and seriousness by
those who heard It. the old gentleman
was only having his sly joke at the
expense OF his colleagues. for whom he
thus suggested a congenial ana usetul
employment I'm their approaching re
tirement" And, perhaps, Senator Cor
man is only having his little JOKE IN sug-
costing the possibility OF his own reute-
ment." lie may be only testing IN thls
way the sincerity Of some OF his pro
fessed and devoted friends. AS Tor other
persons. it IS already sufficiently evident
that they will hold their Judgments IN
suspense as 10 Senator Gormahs rear
intentions until after the November eleG,
tions. Then. and not before. they VIII
be able TO Judge Of the prooaoin'y Oh
his retiring" In the meantime ne nay
think over Senator HoarS KIM susse'
tiOn-BaltimOre Sun