The National tribune., 1904-09-01

rarely transmitted to descendants.
Martin Van Buren, had sons, prince
John Van Buren,, who died in 1866 and
Abraham, who lived until 1877, and whose
wife was mistress Of the White House i'll
her youth. prince John once said to his
father: You will be remembered. not be-
cause you happened to be President, but
because you were the father of John Van
Buren,"
The prophecy was not realized.
William Henry Harrison's direct de-
scendant. Benjamin Harrison, the only son
Of an only son, became the 23d President
of the United States. His is the sole re-
cent instance of the sort, of force. intelli-
gence and tried capacity. His only son,
Russell Harrison, is not Presidential tim
Der, being a man Of but mediocre caliber.
Russell Harrison has a son. Benjamin, who
may inherit some of his grandfather's abil-
ity, but it will take years to develop the
possibility. The late baby, the child of
John Ty Hp "s SON. Is a ad's in is77 His
daughter Mrs. Semple. is living in pow
erty in the Louise Home here in Washing
ton.
james X. Polk had no children. Mil
lard Fillmore had one daughter by his first
wife. Zachary Taylor would have made
strong President, but he died in office.
His was stock whose extinction is Ma
on the Confederate side in the late war. is
dead.
Franklin Pierce had three sons, but they
all died young, one of them in railroad
accident.
James Buchanan, as every one knows,
was q bachelor.
Abraham LincOln's son, Robert T. Lin
coin. was born in 1S43, and is a man Of
mature years and proved ability. He has
been Minister abroad and capable Sec
rotary Of War, but he apparently conclud-
ed long ago that higher political prefer
ment for Presidents son is unlikely. He
formed business connections which would
practically make it bad politics to nomi-
nate him for the Presidency. He is very
wealthy.
Andrew johnson had two daughters, and
son. The latter, however, failed to make
any impression.
The late President William Mckinley
had no children to live.
Grover Cleveland has two sons, Grover,
jr., and Richard Folsom Cleveland, whose
political careers will be postponed for 80
years Or so.
President Arthur had one son, Chester
Allan Arthur, who has seen some Consul
| lar service, but cannot until brought more
prominently before the public be consid-
cred a Presidential possibility.
The families of Presidents Grant
Hayes and Garfield are fairly large, and
the great ajOrity of their living children
are sons.
Gen. Fred Grant is a man singulariy
like his father in appearance, rather tact
turn. but courteous in demeanor. and is
credited with possessing good business and
political ability.
President Grants other sons, Jesse and
U. 8. Grant, jr., have done nothing to JUS
tify CHASING them as political possibilities
Hayess Sons were four in number
Burchard, Webb Cook, Rutherford Platt
and Scott. None of them has yet become
in any way prominent.
President Garfield also had four sons,
who were accounted bright young men,
They are Harry Abram Garfield. James
r. Garfield, Irwin Garfield and Abram
Garfield. James II. Garfield began politi-
cal career a member of the Ohio Sen
young man, married milionaire's daugh-
ter, and is himself wealthy and a member
of the Civil Service Commission.
Henry A. Garfield is Il member of the
salt Combine and accounted a good
business man.
President Roosevelt has four sons. all
young boys. They are Theodore, Archie.
Kermit and Quentin. No one of them has
taken any particular interest in politics,
nor has Theodore. the eldest. exhibited any
particular brlliancy in any direction Is
there anything in heredity?
The careers of the Presidents of the
United States would lead one to believe
that there cannot be a great deal, as ont of
the brilliant and brainy leaders of men
who have occupied the White House FROM
one month to eight years only two have
had male issue which made Presidential
timber.