The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1896-06-27
THE GREAT EMERGENCY MAN.
The Peculiar Status of the Vice President
Of the United States

! The Peculiar Status Of the Vice President
of the United States
The vice presidency is essentially an
Office Of dignity. No other Office under
the government has such lofty possibih-
ties for its occupant, while at the same
time being so utterly bereft OF influence
either to WELD patronage or to affect
legislation.
The vice presidency requires man
fitted to fill the highest office under the
government. one whose broad informa-
tion will make him equal to coping with
any national question that might come
before congress. and whose information
and position among men would qualify
him to preside over tho conservative
branch Of congress. he Is an emergency
man. Should death remove the presi-
dent. IL is he who is called upon to oc-
cupy the White House Should there be
= tie in the vote OF the senate, he then
has tho deciding vote; but, except in
TO Affect legislation. While the speaker
Of the house Of representatives assigns
all the representatives, to places on COM
mittoes, and in that way virtually de-
termines what Legislation shall be en-
acted. the vice president. not being q
member Of the senate. has nothing to
do with the formation OF committees.
and IN not oven admitted TO the caucuses
Of his party, in which. II that party
has n majority. committee assignments
are determined and the policy Of the
party Is mapped out.
The patronage Of the vice president
consists In the appointment Of a seo-s-
tary. a messenger, telegraph operator
and telegrapher' page. That is all.
The presiding officer Of the senate occu-
pies handsome 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 deliberations Of the United
States senate.
Because Of the peculiar character Of
the duties Of the vice president, the
daily routine OF his life is very different
from that Of United States senator.
His social life In Washington Is Just
what he chooses TO make il. His invita-
tions would not DO disregarded by any
one In official OF social life here. but
whether he entertain much or little is
matter purely within his own pleasure.
While certain social functions are part
OF the official duties Of the president.
the vice president Is free to entertain or
not. as he secs fit.
The duties OF tho vice president do
not require him to burn any midnight
oil in the consideration OF public ques-
tions. He has ample opportunity to
keep himself informed ON all matters
that come before congress by being a
good listener, and no has no occasion to
prepare any speech for delivery in tho
senate. He Is relieved from all commit
tee 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 dooile one to govern and
IL not fraught with the parplexing par
liamentary problems that are constantly
occurring in tho house Of representa-
tivos. 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 us is the vice president. Without
power TO influence legislation, his Office
being such that oven 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 to recognize this or
that one who happens to have bill to
present or a suggestion to make.
From ~ until 3 O'Clock is known in
tho senate as "tho morning hour. aud
during that time all the business of in
Producing bills. making reports from
committees. presenting petitions and
memorials, otc.. is done. The vice pres
ident is seldom absent from the chair
during the "morning hour" but when
that expires the regular business" is
taken up. which practically means n
continuation Of speaking ON the pending
bill Then tho vice president has an op-
portunity to leave the senate. which he
does II there Is not In prospect some
very interesting debate which he wishes
to hear. He seeks his private Office
whore he frequently holds a reception.
for his friends know the hour when he
Is at leisure and can SEQ them. He gem
orally is ON hand when the senate adj
journs, 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. Washington
Star.
He wa- Entitled to . Seat.