Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-16
FOR VICE PRESIDENT
Politicians Discuss Mr.. Longs Avail
ability.
HANDlCAPS IN bis CANDIDACY
Gen. Grosvenor Favors a Man
From the West.
N A Nj E S S U G G E S L E d
CAPS IN bis CANDIDACY
N A Nj E S SUG GEST ED

The entry Of Secretary Longs name in
the list Of availables for the vice presidency
has caused a flutter among the politicians
who are weighing the situation and balanc-
thg the merits of the candidates with the
necessities Of the case.
DiscussinE MIR. Long.
In discussing his candidacy, the first ex-
preston Of politicians at the Capitol is one
OF admiration and regard for the character
and ability Of Secretary Long. He is not
only popular. but is highly esteemed as
well. He would, they say, make an ideal
presiding officer for the Senate and also
lend to the vice presidency some of the
political attributes which have attached to
ttat office In very recent years under the
administration of a distinguished republi-
can Thus, Secretary Longs fitness for the
place Is admitted to be beyond question.
But, coming down to some practical, DO
it:cal aspects of his candidacy there is a
disposition in some quarters to consider it
carefully before reaching unqualified in
dorsement. The first question raised is as
to the necessity of going to Massachusetts
for a candidate. There is nothing in the
situation to make Mr. Long inevitable, it is
pointed out, and there is no need to take
him In order to insure Massachusetts going
republican.
On the other hand, there is strong op-
position to Mr.. Long from some republicans,
who fear that In his candidacy the Samp-
son-Schley controversy would be carried
into the campaign. They contemplate with
uneaSiness a revival of that discussion from
the stump and see trouble ahead, especial
ly in Maryland.
Mr.. Longs friends say in rebuttal that
there is nothing in his record in that case
which would cause him to fear the verdict
OF the public; that the Navy Department
was right all the way through. The OBJ
1ectors reply to this argument that, how
ever true 1t may be. the fact must be rec
osnlZed that great many people in this
country are not convinced in their own
minds of the correctness of the depart
ments position in the controversy, and
that the republican party is not looking for
either handlcaps or an ounce of additional
weight to carry in the coming race
May Go West.
Western republicans are st:,l canvassins
the advisa bility of crossing the Ohio for a
vice presidential candidate
Il have all alorg been in favor of going
to the west for Vice President" said
Representative Grosvenor of Ohio to Star
reporter today. Il believe we ought to take
man who will give strength to the ticket
IN some sections of the country where the
contest promises to be Close
Many names have been suggested within
the past few days. Senator Spooner of Wis
consin would be a favorite if it was be-
heVed he would accept. Senator Fairbanks
OF Indiana is in the same category Renre-
sentative Mercer of Nebraska is growing In
favor, and the slatemakers are looking
closely into the Nebraska prospect If his
candidacy seems likely to threaten Mr.
Bryan's hold upon the state there NAV be
some interesting developments in the Mer-
Ger boom within the next few weeks Rep
resentattve Dolliver is spoken of freely
but the eloquent young Iowan says he is
going to keep on running for Congress
just the same
Democratic Gossip.
There is authority for the statement that
Rear Admiral Schley is regarded with favor
by democrats of influence in the party
councils as a possible candidate for Mr..
Bryan's running mate
Going further, 1t may be stated that if
republican ticket a definite movement Is
likely to be commenced in the democratic |
party to put up Rear Admiral Schley |
against him. The Sampson-Schley contro-
Versy would then come to the fore as a |
campaign issue.
Influential democrats in Congress are |
watching the developments in the rapub- |
lican vice presidential contest with great |
interest AS the democratic convention will |
occur July 4, while the republican meet |
Is for June 10. the democrats will have a |
move after the republicans have played |
They will, 1t is said, undoubtedly take any
advantage which the republican nomna-
ton would give them. The democrats fear |
Mr.. Roosevelt of New York mora than any.l
other eastern man. His aggressiveness,
magnetism and sturdiness of character as
we'll as his war record, makes him dam
gerous man, in the opinion of many demo-
Gratis.