Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-01

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II HF"EH Such lofty possible
II WILL ties for its occupant,
II r - ~ Ii while at the same
aMEW time being so utterly
" either to WELD pa
tronage or to affect legislation.
The vice presidency requires a man fitted
to fill the highest Office under the govern
ment, one whose broad information will
make him equal to coping with any ma
tional question that might come before
Congress, and whose information and po-
sition among men would qualify him to
preside over the conservative branch of
Congress. He Is an emergency man. Should
death remove the President, it is he who
is called upon to occupy the White House
Should there be tie in the vote of the
Senate, he, then, has the deciding vote, but,
except in this emergency, he is without in
fluence to affect legislation. While the
Speaker Of the House of Representa- tives
assigns all the Representatives to places on
committees. and in that way virtually deter
mines what legislation shall be enacted, the
Vice President, not being member of the
Senate, has nothing to do with the forma-
ton OF committees, and Is not even ad-
mitted to the caucuses of his party, in
which, If that party have majority, COM
mlttee assignments are determined, and
the policy Of the party is mapped out.
The patronage of the Vice President con-
s1sts in the appointment of secretary, a
messenger, telegraph operator and a tel
egrapher's page. That is all. The presid-
Ing officer Of the Senate occupies a hand
some room, opening on the Senate lobby,
and he is accorded all the respect which
goes with his high office, the chief function
of which Is to preside over the delibera lions
Of the United States Senate
His Social Requirements.
Because of the peculiar character of the
duties Of the Vice President, the daily rou-
tine Of his life is very different from that
of a United States Senator. His social life
in Washington is just what he chooses to
make it. His invitations would not be dis
regarded by any one in official or social
life here, but whether he entertain much
or little is a matter purely within his own
pleasure. While certain social functions
are part of the official duties of the Pres
ident, the Vice President is free to enter
tain or not, as he sees fit.
But the Vice President is sought by many
visitors to tho capital. He is one of the
sights Of the capital, and visitors from
Illinois especially do not like to leave
Washington without having sought an in
PRODUCTION to the Vice President and the
man who Is regarded as a presidential
possibility. But the chances of the Vice
President for the nomination at the hands
Of the next national convention are rem
dered smaller because Of the fact that
since his election his hands have been tied
and he has had no opportunity to show
the qualities Of a leader of his fellow Gem
ocrats. OF course, this fact renders the
Vice President free from all responsibility
for the acts of his party, although it is
probable that in the minds Of the masses
of the people he is regarded as equally re-
sponsible with all democratic Senators for
the acts of the last Congress.
Leisure Hours.
The duties CT the Vice President do not
require him to burn any midnight oil in the
consideration Of public questions. He has
ample opportunity to keep himself inform
ed on all matters that come before Con-
gress by being good listener and he has
no occasion to prepare any speech for de-
livery In the Senate. He is relieved from
all committee work, of course, and even
the task Of presiding over the Senate is
rendered an easy one because Of the fact
that that body is very docile one to gov
ern, and is not frarght with the perplex-
ing parliamentary problems that are con-
stantly occurring in the House of Repre-
sentatives. The fact that the Senate is so
largely run by courtesy" makes it an easy
body to preside over.
Perhaps no man connected with the
United States Senate is so apt to be bored
as is the Vice President. Without power to
influence legislation his Office being such
that even any suggestion from him would
be apt to be regarded as an unwarranted
interference, he is yet obliged to attend
the sessions Of the Senate daily, and 10
recognize this or that one who happens to
have bill to present or suggestion to
make.
Daily Official Duties.
From IL until o'clock is known in the
Senate as 1.-THE morning hour" and during
that time all the business of introducing
bills, making reports from committees. pre-
senting petitions and memorials, etc, Is
DONE The Vice President is seldom absent
from the chair during the morning hour,
but when that expires the regular busi-
pess" is taken up which practically means
a continuation Of speaking on the pending
bill. Then the Vice President has an OPP
portunity to leave the Senate, which he
does If there is not in prospect some very
interesting debate which he wishes to hear.
He seeks his private office, where he fire.
quently holds a reception, for his friends
know the hour when he is at leisure and
can see them. He generally is on hand
when the Senate adjourns, and then he has
nothing in the nature of official duties to
occupy his attention until the day on which
the Senate is. next to meet.