The Washington herald., 1913-12-22

noted, as Senator Root no doubt noted,
that the Presidential honor has been
handed more often to men nearer the
half-century figures than to the three
score and strikingly far on from the
tnreescore and ten proposition.
There was another comment among the
wise men Of the Willard Way last night
insisting with some emphasis on the bene-
nj OF Congressional experience to a Chief
executive and citing the fact that most
or the Presidents have served in the
House or Senate. In recent years there
has been diversion from the rule with
Roosevelt. Taft and Wilson lacking legis-
lative experience. Indeed, there has been
superstition in the last forty years that
once man enters the Senate he leaves
behind all Presidential ambition. Yet in
the earlier days of the Republic Senators
gioed gracefully to the White House,
and House members were more certain OF
it than Senatorial aspirants. James
Buchanan, chosen In 1851, was the last
Executive who had also been Senator. He
had three elections to the Senate from
pennsylvania and five terms in the
House, besides service as Secretary
OF state and Minister to England. At
the start Of things a training in Congress
was considered an almost necessary equip
ment for Presidential candidate. It is
almost overlooked. perhaps, that Wash
ington served two terms in the Conti-
mental Congress, as was John Adams and
Jefferson, the latter continuing in the
service after the formal organization Of
the government. Madison was long In
Congress and satisfied to be a member OF
the State legislature between times. He
was Secretary of State under Jefferson,
and lived twenty-seven years in private
life after two Presidential terms
Monroe also served in the House and
Senate, then in the legislature, going
from the goverporship to the White
House.
Andrew jackson was a member OF the
House in 1875, then a Senator, but re-
signed the latter honor in less than a
year, preferring a judicial place at home.
He came to the Senate again in 1893, but
resigned again, after less than two years
service, coming to the White House in
1873 for two terms.
Van Buren, was twice chosen Senator
before elected President in 1896. Harrison
served in both House and Senate from
Ohio, as did Tyler. who succeeded him,
while Polk had long service in the House,
with two terms as Speaker. Fillmore,
who, as Vice President, succeeded Taylor,
served four terms in the House and was
twice Presidential candidate after his
succession. 1t is almost overlooked that
Lincoln served a single term in the
House and did not seek a second election
in 1S4S.
Franklin Pierce was long prominent
in both House and Senate before reach
ing Presidential honors. Andrew jackson
had five House terms and one in the
Senate before becoming Vice President
and Lincoln's successor. also reaching
the Senate again years later. Hayes
served two terms in the House from a
Cincinnati district before becoming gov-
ernor and President. while Garfield was
proud OF eighteen years House experience |
and leadership. When elected President |
he was an actual member OF the House |
and Senator-elect, so that no Senator
since Garfield has reached a Presidential |
nomination let alone election, and John |
son was the last Senator who came to |
the White House after actual service. |
Neither Arthur or Grover Cleveland had |
legislative experience, but William Nc
kinley, coming after Cleveland, had long
been prominent in the House. He was
the last President blessed with Con-
gressional experience. but a summing up |
indicates that Presidents trained in Con-
gress have been in the majority, with |
the greater number up to Lincoln's time,
reaching the Senate.
Zachary Taylor. Gen. Grant, Chester
A. Arthur. Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson,
make up the list of Presidents who have
not enjoyed Congressional service and
political campaigns that mean a thorough
getting in touch with the people. There
have been twenty-seven Presidents,
Vice Presidential succession, and
nineteen have had Congressional ex-
perience. Besides, it must be recalled
that Arthur and Roosevelt came in by
the death of Presidents, who had been
active on Capitol Hill.