The herald., 1894-01-07
No HANpLE IN HIs eAvEL.
The Vice Presidents Emblem of Authority
Little More Than symbol.

The Vice Presidents Emblem of Authority
Little More Than symbol.
The vice president s gavel is minus a
handle. 1t is but the ivory head Of a
gavel and finds service more as paper
weight or for gentle dalliance in his
right hand than for its legitimate pur-
pose of keeping order. In fact, the SEN
ate keeps its own order. Senators seldom
make structures against each other. 1t
is only the raw and kittenish ones who
break into thinly disguised personali-
ties, and they in time come to regret
these wild oats episodes of their senato-
rial youth.
Way down deep in his heart of hearts
each senator believes it to have been a
fundamental error of the constitution
that the vice president should have been
made the presiding officer of the senate.
The speakership of the house would
have been more suitable, for the house
is the more popular body, is recognized
as representing the immediate sentiment
of the masses and as more fifty the body
for the vice president to oversee.
Not but that they acknowledge that
1t would be more difficult for new
man, fresh from the people, perhaps un-
trained in parliamentary law, to govern
SO difficult body, but some vice presi-
dents, like Wilson, Colfax, Hendricks,
Morton and Stevens would have made
admirable speakers. One of them was
speaker, and some speakers, names not
to be mentioned, have been pretty raw.
So it comes that senators look upon
the president pro tempore, one of them
selves, as of higher rank than the vice
president, and his opinions as more
worthy OF distinguished consideration
than those of their constitutional chair
man. True, Vice President Hendricks
was held in esteem. He had been a
leading member of that body, but it
was the esteem of the rest of Israel for
Ichabod, whose "gIory had departed
He was honored for the place he had
filled rather than for the one he occu-
pied.
This dignifed and able body, un-
doubtedly the ablest and most august
deliberative chamber in the world, is
even high enough and powerful enough
W OOOiAJ cAitACloo ltlO t'i Cpiucht Ou cSCtt-
sion. 1t passes upon his nominations;
it can even shape his policy; it is the
court of last resort for his impeach-
ment. Forsooth, what is this four year
servant of the people beside body con-
tinuous, unbroken and almost coexist-
ent with the constitution?
No abler men have ever sat on the
floor of the senate than have honored its
presiding chair. But one life stands
between the vice president and the lead
ership of nation. Four times hasdeath
made that promotion in the history of
the republic. Thrice have vice presi-
dents received subsequent election to
the presidency There should be greater
weight and consideration given the po-
sition.
The president, in person or vicarious-
ly, bestows 100, 900 places from cabinet
positions and foreign embassies down
to tidewater ships and fourth class post
offices, of which the least are the most
important from a political standpoint.
Before him potentates and politicians
tremble.
The vice president appoints his pri-
vate secretary and one messenger. and
his patronage consists in one pew III the
senate gallery, back of the president &.
1t will hold six people, 1t is not even
in the members gallery. The position
is entitled to no more consideration -
Washington Post.