Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-11
ROOSEVELT ON THE
VICE PRESIDENCY.

! To the Editor of the Register.
| In the Review OF Reviews for Septem-
her. 1896. Mr.. Theodore Roosevelt con-
| tributed quite lengthy article on the
"Vice Presidential Candidates and What
they Represent" Mr.. Roosevelt can
| yassed the situation as it then existed,
but of course interpolated his article
| with his own peculiar views concerning
this Office. Considering the fact that ne
is now in the same position as that OF
the persons he then discussed, a few
extracts from the article may show now
Theodore stands upon this subject.
In the early part of his discussion ne
says, concerning the Vice Presidency:
"The custom grew Of Offering the
Vice Presidency as a consolation prize,
to be given in many cases ID the very
men who were most bitterly opposed
to the nomination of the successful
candidate for President. Sometimes
this consolation prize was awarded for
geographical reasons, sometimes to
bring into the party men who on points
of principle might split away because
of the principles of the Presidential can
didate himself
Mr.. Roosevelt here gives the reasons
that, according to his method OF think
ing, causes the selection of the candi-
date for the Vice Presidency. The
question naturally arises-upon what
mountaineering to Mr.. Roosevelt
was he himself nominated? He states
them SO plainly that any one may be
able to assign the reason.
He further says:
ct has thus frequently happened that
the two candidates have been totally
dissimilar in character and even in
party principle. though both running on
the same ticket. Very odd results have
resulted in more than one instance"
1t Is too well known-the why and
the wherefore, that Mr.. Roosevelt was
placed upon the tail end of the Repub-
lican ticket to attempt to discuss it
here. But this last quotation necessar-
lily calls to mind the famous interview
with David Starr Jordan, president OF
the Leland Stanford University Of Cali
fornia, wherein he said that Governor
Roosevelt said that Major Mckinley
had no more backbone than a ginger
bread man. This, Of course, raised
quite furore in the Republican coun-
ellis, and Theodore rectified the error
by saying that he had never said that
(Mr. Mckinley had no more backbone
than a gingerbread mamie declared
that the words he used were chocolate
eclaire man"-which, of course, changed
the statement, but made it worse.
Hence, we believe with Mr.. Roose-
Welt, that often persons of totally dis
e;, IL oh ofo
ming upon the same ticket
Major Mckinley may, perhaps, un-
derstand his running mates position
and intentions in the further sentence,
wherein he says the Vice President
Should be consulted by the President
on every great party question: and
should have a voice in the cabinet and
be allowed to engage in debate in the
Senate, etc. Here We have Mr.. Roose-
velts ideas clearly outlined. The Vice
Presidency will be of such dazzling
nature that the incumbent of the White
House will become wall flower.
Mr. Roosevelt further says that the
Vice President should be in full accord
with his chief, so that Gin event OF
accident to his chief he would take up
that work where it was left
To show the discord that formerly
existed, Mr.. Roosevelt cites the cases OF
Tyler and Johnson. But let us ask-in
event of an mprobability-the election
of Mckinley and Roosevelt-where
could we find more general shaking
up of the whole administration than
Theodore Roosevelt would give it, in
event of the Presidents death?
There is, however, no great proba-
bility that Mr.. Roosevelt will have an
opportunity to put his views into prac-
tice-they most certainly would be dis
agreeable to Mr. Mckinley, and as Mr..
Mckinley will reside In Canton after
next March, Mr.. RooseveH's ideas need
give him no concern. Still, however,
at this particular time they are at least
interesting BARON JONES.
Chew q v Scran