The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-06-21
The Ornamental End of the Ticket

H
All ordinary presidents OF dominating
conventions were neglected in making the
selection of vice president at Cir cinDati.
AS the Sentinel remarked some days ago,
the second place in the ticket seemed to
be wholly out of the calculations of the
engineers OF the enterprise, and when the
nomination finally came it was q
genuine case of stroke by lightning. In
most conventions where the first
place has been so bitterly con-
tested as a. Cincinnati, the vice
presidency has been bestowed as a
kind of salve to the wounded feelings
of some one of the defeated sspirsnts. In
other cases it has been given in recogni-
| ton of distinguished party service and
some peculiar element of strength to the
| ticket. None OF these reasons are present
| in the nomination made by the gentlemen
of Cincinnati. After the main matter was
disposed of the vice presidency seemed to
be eagerly held out to the first man who
could be prevailed upon to accept IL. Per-
haps this was the best possible
disposition of the place. No one
of the party leaders who had
fought 50 persistently for the first place
could be expected to play second fiddle to
| the small Western governor who had dis
tsnced them all, and it may be a small
Eastern congressman was the most consis-
tent and appropriate selection that could
have been made. An extended biograph-
ical notice would be necessary to make
our readers reasonably familiar with the
history of Mr.. William A. Wheeler, the
gentleman selected to accompany Gov.
Hayes to defeat. Probably some OF
them will hear his name now al
most for the first time, and more
will be puzzled to recall any conspicuous
Incidents in his political career. The
characteristic feature OF this has been re-
spectacle mediocrity. He is a gentleman
OF advanced middle life, having been born
In 1920, and his life has been devoted TO
the kindred pursuits of law, politics, bank
ing and rsilrosding. Governor Hsyes's
treme hard money views in the West is
appropriately balanced by that of this
national banker In the East. The money
interest may congratulate itself upon hav-
ing captured both extremitles of
the ticket as we'll IS the platform. No
time should be lost in indulging in self
congratulations upon this victory be-
tween now and November, as there will
be no opportunity after the people have
had an opportunity to declare their opin-
ion of ticket, platform and party. An
other feature in Mr.. Wheeler's career will
require to be set in the clearest light he
fore the country, If his nomination is to
give strength to the ticket. The congress
sioDsl directory gives US among bis titles
to distinction that of being president of
New York railroad. The people
of the United States are not inclined to
look with favor upon railroad msgnstes in
this cent? nnisl year of national independ-
ence and stupendous railroad bond
frauds and steals. and the SUCCESS
i've dowDfslls of Colfsx and Blaine
afford an instructive warning against
placing man who has interests
in common with railroads in the
position OF presiding officer of a legislative
body. Mr.. Wbeeler's congressional
career commenced in 1860, and has been
distinguished by no achievements worthy
of record, unless 1t be the somewhat
notorious Wheeler compromise in
Louisiana affairs, which was condemned
ny his own Radical friends, and Tell to the
ground of inherent weakness in few
weeks after it's establishment. He has no
particular qualifications for the position of
presiding offi GER of the Senate, and IL he
possesses any remarkable powers of ora
tory and popularity which will be avsila-
bic in the canvass. they have not appeared
In bis previous career. Altogether the Sc
lection for the second plaza consists well
with that of the first. Both have conspicu-
Gus elements of weakness and improper
laxity, without compromising points of
strength. With a wise nomination at st.
Louis, success for the Democracy will be
comparatively easy.