Palisadian., 1920-02-07

ening' America, and he was confronted
by the necessity for earning his own
living.
In order to do this he wrote, taught
and earned in other ways, but his deep
interest in politics and government did
not decrease. He showed the fully
practical nature of his prediction for
educational progression by drawing up
and securing the passage Of the bill
which gave New Jersey her first state
aid for manual training with the
thought In mind that it would be Of
especial value to young men engaged
In industry, as indeed 1t has proved to
be In an extraordinary degree.
An Imaginary Wash for an imaginary
Clothesline.
From 1887 to 1895 Butler was a
member of the New Jersey State
Board of Education, and in 1892 and
Education of the city of Paterson.
There are many stories of Buffers
early life in New Jersey. An Eliza
beth man enjoys telling this one:
II am not likely ever to forget the
precocious things that heard Nicho-
las Murray Butler in his childhood
say. This youngster had a mans wit
in child's body, and it was impossi-
Bile to get the better of him. One day
1 heard a clergyman trying to joke
him bit
Mick said he, can you tell me
what the earth's axis is?
"'Yes, SIR answered Nick. 1T Is an
imaginary line passing from one pole
to the other, and on it the earth re-
volves.'
"'Very good said the minister.
Then he winked at the rest of us.
And 1 suppose, Nick he went on,
that you could hang a wash out on
the imaginary line
"'Yes, sir, of course said the boy.
1.-THE minister looked blank at that.
1t was not the kind Of an answer he
had expected.
"'Oh, you could, could your he
asked. What kind Of a washY
"'An imaginary wash young Nick
replied"
Political Office Pursued Him.
Later, after he became resident Of
New York state, the political Office
continued to pursue him, and he con-
tinued to resist temptation. Three
times he was urged to become the Re
publican candidate for mayor of New
~rlr - 81
Republican was elected to the Office.
Twice he was urged to run for COVER
nor Of New York state-in 1904, when
the nomination was equivalent to cleo
ton, and in 1912, when the situation
was more dubious. All these profered
opportunities he refused
During the nearly ten years while
Theodore Roosevelt was governor of
New York state and president of the
nation Nicholas Murray Butler was
his most intimate unofficial counselor.
They were in daily contact throughout
this long and intensely important Pc
riod, either by correspondence or per-
sonal association, and Mr.. Butler
shared to an extent which even his
close friends did not dream, until after
Roosevelt's death, in shaping the poll
cies which made the great Rough Rider
the idol Of the nation.
In American political life he has
played an important role. Probably he
has refused more cabinet positions
than any other man alive. Roosevelt
wanted him and really wanted him
very much. But Mr.. Butler could not
see his way to the acceptance Of the
proffered honor.
Indeed, every president since Ben
jamin Harrison has asked him to take
cabinet or diplomatic post except
Grover Cleveland, who, although Of
opposite political faith, asked him to
become a member of the National Civil
Service Commission. He has been
delegate at four Republican national
conventions-those Of 1888, 1904, 1912
and 1916-and received the Republican
electoral vote for vice-president of the
United States in 1913. He has become
famous in the party as the author Of
critical and difficult platform planks.
During 1912 he acted as chairman Of
the New York State Republican Com
mittee. He has been aptly termed "the
wheel horse Of the Republican Party"
Americas Greatest Budget Expert.
Butler has been recognized as the
one greatest budget expert in the Unit
ed States. When Senator Medill Nc
Cormick first began to advocate his
senate bill, providing for a rearrange-
ment Of our government finance upon
a budget system, he referred to Mr..
Butler as one of the few Americans
whose wisdom he had consulted and.
later Mr. Butler was called to Wash
ington to offer his advice officially.
When Mr.. Butler assumed the presi-
dency of Columbia as the youngest
man ever inducted into an Office of
similar Importance, his job was that
of the administration of a great busi-
ness-a business comprising a group
of corporations representing an invest
ment of $4,000, 900, employing approx
imatolv SO0 parSopS with on oppuaJ