The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1914-07-29
Average Age of Presidents.
Close TO So When
lnau4urated.

Sentiment common 10 the human race
leads TO an inquiry like this: AT what
age should men be rendered ineligible TO
the Presidency of the United States?"
Since age seems TO have very little TO
do with the ups and downs of human
life-and sets no limit to success in the
business world-it might be answered
that there is no limit to the age OF a can
didate for the Presidency.
Patrick Henry declared that he knew
Of no lamp by which to guide his future
footsteps than the lamp of experience
So we might refer 10 the ages Of Presi
dents when they entered that high Of
fee with propriety.
Washington was only 81 years old, but
hc served as President eight years, max
ing him s. when he retired.
John Adams was 81, but he served but
one term, and therefore retired at the
same age as Washington.
Both Thomas Jefferson and James
Madison entered the White House at 81
and retired al Go. as each served eight
years.
James Monroe was IS but he served
eight years, retiring at GO.
The second Adams was 81, but served
only one term.
Gen. Jackson was 81 and therefore 60
when he retired, having served eight
years.
Van Buren, was 81 when elected and Sc
when he retired.
The elder Harrison was. 6s-but he liv-
ed but a month in the White House.
John Tyler was 81, but he served out
the term Of Harrison.
James K. Polk was 40, but he served
but four years.
Gen. Taylor, who had won his spurs
in the Mexican War, was 81, but be serv-
ed but lG months.
Fillmore, who completed the Taylor
term, was but 80 wears Of age, and Frank
Jim Pierce but IS, retiring at the age of
81.
James Buchanan was G. and retired
al -.
Abraham Lincoln was 52-but he died
al the hand of an assassin after service
Of 10 months.
Andrew Johnson, who served out the
the last term Of Lincoln, was but SO al
his Inauguration.
Gen. Grant was but 46 when elected in
1865 and but "a when he retired at the
end Of eight years, being The youngest
President but one that the Nation ever
chose.
Gen. Hayes was 81 and served but one
term.
Gen. Garfield was 40, but served only
six and half months, having beee ass
aSsinated by Guiteau on the ID day of
July after his Inauguration on March 4,
dying sept l9, following.
Gen. Arthur was 80 years old and
simply filled the unexpired term of Mr..
Garfield.
Grover Cleveland was AZ years of age
when first elected, but 50 when at the
close Of his second term, one term hav-
ing interviewed.
William Mckinley was A. years old
and served one full term and six months
Of another when he was assassinated al
Buffalo.
Roosevelt was 42 years of age when he
entered the Presidency to fill the second
term Of three and half years of Nc
kinley; but a. years old when elected as
President 10 succeed himself.
Judge Taft was 81 years of age and IS
when he retired.
Woodrow Wilson was sc years of age.
and if he lives TO fill out his term OF Of
flee he will be 60 when that shall have
closed.
Thus will be observed that the aver
age Of the 2s Presidents is right
around IS years when they took Office.
but even this precedent could easily be
changed.
Joseph Cannon, former Speaker of the
House, is IS years Of age, yet he was as
vigorous one year ago last March when
he retired from Congress as he ever
was.