The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-17


Secretary Longs chances for receiving the
Republican Vice Presidential nomi-
nation at Philadelphia, it will
be generally admitted that his
personal attitude in relation TO the efforts
bis friends are making in that direction is
decorous and dignfed. In an interview
printed in The Times yesterday he said;
81 think Gen Joe Wheeler very happily hit of
this iudiscrmiuate boom business IN the wee
Presto, initial line. soon after he returned
from the Philippines, you remember, there
was a good deal OF talk about General Wheeler
being put on the Democratic ticket Tor wee
President. Tie brushed the matter aside by the
declaration that the mention Of his name was due
to the Partially Of personal friends, and had NJ
other significance. That is exactly the way l
view my own case
The position taken by Mr.. Long as
shown in the above extract. is in happy con-
trast to that of another Republican who
aspires to party hOnors and who is pa
trolling the country in search of votes at
the convention. although plainly notified
by The head OF the organization that he
is not wanted. 1t places the Secretary
upon the solid and righteous ground OF
considering the Vice Presidency a position
which should be neither sought nor de-
clined" 1t is a distinction which be would
not refuse but one for which he could not
bring himself TO ask.
II the quiet good sense and admirable
propriety of Mr.. Longs course in this con-
nection appeals to his political associates
as pleasantly as it does to us, his modesty
and reserve will not hurt his prospects.
We may be permitted to go further and
say that it would go hard for the Philadei-
phia Convention to find more desirable
running mate for Mr. Mckinley than the
I Hon. John D. Long. Geographically con-
sidered he fulhlls every requirement OF the
situation. The Presidential candidate VIII
be- as he is. representative Of Western Re
publlcanism Mr.. Long would acceptably
represent that OF the East; the better.
perhaps. because he comes from the dis
tinct East. New York does not quite as
forcibly convey the sectional idea desired.
Moreover. since Governor Roosevelt does
not want the place there is nobody in his
Commonwealth of commanding prominence
enough to be seriously considered.
It seems safe to assume that should the
nomination seek him Mr.. Long would
make an ideal candidate FOR the Vice Pres
idency on a ticket with Mr.. Mckinley. He
has been closely and intimately associated
and identified with the Administration
since it came into Office in 1897. Through
all the time intervening he has been
/ both officially and personally reflex
Of its policy, its standards Of con-
duct. and its purposes. In all oil It's
vicissitudes. uncertainties. and changes
+ in its opposition TO war with Spain; IN us
I determination to exculpate that power
from blame for the Maine horror; in the
J later policy Of armed Intervention in Cuba
in that Of condoning the offences OF the
beef contractors; in short, in everything
that has happened to it, MI Long has
demonstrated power and ability to be as
philanthropic. as placid, and as plastic as
! the President himself
II homogeneity in a Presidential ticket is
an advantage. it would be found in the
conjunction of Mckinley and Long. We
have often witnessed with keen regret
and a fear Of consequences, tendency on
the part of national conventions, after
heated struggle over the Presidential nom
nation. when that has been duly settled,
TO accept almost anyone proposed for the
second place in haste and with scarcely a
thought given to the strength, character.
or qualifications Of the latter. Obviously.
this is wrong. In view of the grave con-
;ingencies involved, the Republican Vice
Presidential candidate in every respect
ought to be as able as amiable, and as
pliable as the Presidential candidate
Judged BY this measure there can be no
question OF Mr.. Longs entire availability.
II his chief and he were TO receive the
sufrases OF the people in November. and
such deplorable thing as the death Of
the former during his term Of cilice should
happen. no possibility Of revolution against
or trouble TO the Administration control
would result Mr. Long would be found
exactly and as conscientiously willing to
accept direction. to have his mind made
uD. or his convictions and proclamations
changed for him as his lamentcd prede-
cassor He would simply continue 90 be
President Mckinley reincarnatcd under a
. different name.