Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-05-02
NO HANDLE IN HIS GAvEL.

The Vice Presidents Emblem of Authority
Little More Than Symbol.
The vice presidents gavel is minus
handle. 1t is but the ivory head of a
gavel and finds service more as a 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 senate.
rial youth.
Way down deep in his heart of hearts
each senator believes it to have been
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 mere fifty the body
for the vice president to oversee.
NOI UuI tudb IllOy dChuOWlUuSoO thoe
it would be more difficult for new
man, fresh from the people, perhaps I'M
trained in parliamentary law, to govern
SO difficult a 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 toned, 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 glory had departed. :"
He was honored for the place he had
filled rather than for the one he occ1l-
pied.
This dignifed and able body, I'M
doubtedly the ablest and most august
deliberative chamber in the world, is
even high enough and powerful enough
to coolly criticise the president on coca
sion. It 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.
emit with the constitution?
No ADLER 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 has death
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 pr1-
vate secretary and one messenger, and
his patronage consists in one pew in the
senate gallery, back of the presidents.
1t will hold six people. 1t is not even
in the members gallery The position
is entitled to no more consideration
Washington Post.