The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-18
M'KINLEY's FIRST CHOICE.
Senator Allison Can Have the Vice
Presidential Nomination.

CHICAGO, April 1.-THE Times-Heralds
Washington correspondent says: Senator
Allison will be the Republican vice presi-
Dental candidate this year If he will ac-
cept the honor. The senior senator from
Iowa is President McKinley's first choice
for running mate. and IL Senator Allison
indicates a willingness to serve his party in
this role he will be unanimously named at
Philadelphia two months hence. President
Mckinley and his advisers in the admins
tration hope Senator Allison will consent.
but as yet they have had no opportunity to
learn his wishes. The senator is i'm Iowa
and is not expected to return for several
days.
1.-THE President is anxious TO have upon
the ticket with him a man OF national
prominence-a Republican whose name is
known from one end of the country to the
other. He wants a man who is in every
way fit to be President, and who has won
the confidence of the country by years OF
public service in responsible posts. For
these reasons he had hoped to have Gov.
Roosevelt upon the ticket, and for the same
reasons he now wishes to secure the ac-
ceptance Of Senator Allison.
I'm administration circles there is a hope
out his career with a term as Vice Presi-
dent. 1t is pointed out that this would not
involve any change of scene for him. It
would continue him in the Senate. where he
has been so long and where he has been Of
such great service to the country and the
party. The only difference would be that.
instead of sitting upon the floor and work.
ing hard upon the committees he would be
-rrt--
is right in line with Mr.. Allisons career,
and IL Is an Office to which his tempera-
ment well adapts itself. He is now the
leader Of the Republican party in the Sem
ate. and such he would continue to be IL
promoted TO the vice presidency. An ideal
Vice President is dignified. amicable. Of
fine address, leader of men through his
wisdom, his moderation, his friendships,
his facility for making peace and securing
harmony and action out of discord and
chaos. This describes William b. Allison TO
a nicely.
Though the recognized Republican
leader in the upper branch OF Congress,
Mr.. Allison is not aggressive. He never
fights. He is never found at the front
of a doubtful cause, pioneering with cour-
age and forcing his way by main strength.
But on innumerable occasions he has been
of vast service to his party by closing up
the column. gathering in the stragglers,
promoting the compromise which is the
inevitable basis OF all contested legisla-
ton. Diplomatic. patient forbearing, en-
joying the affection of all senators TO an
unusual degree. his practical achievements
are often great and valuable where n more
aggressive man would be than a
failure. In many respects William b. Alli-
son Is an ideal public servant. A fighter
like Teddy Roosevelt. a self-contained ag-
gressive man like Secretary Root would be
an experiment OF doubtful result I'm the
vice presidential chair. The post fits Mr..
Allison as IL he were made for IL or IL for
him.
IF Senator Allison will accept this as
signment in his party's services there can
be no doubt that he will add strength 10
the Republican national ticket. IL would
not be necessary for him TO resign his
seat in the Senate until after the November
elections. II chosen Vice President he
would have a chance 10 round out his great
career I'm a most appropriate manner His
record at the close of the second Mckln-
ley administration would be: Eight years
In the House of Representatives. Twenty
eight years i'm the Senate. Four years Vice.
President Total forty years OF distin-
guished service I'm the American Congress-
That would indeed be a proud record but
once or twice equaled in the history OF our
public men.
s.Senator Allison's friends here do not
think he will accept. They point TO the
fact that I'm past presidential campaigns
his name has more than once been used I'm
connection with the vice presidential nomi-
nation but the senator himself has always
frowned upon Il. IL is also recalled that
he Is perhaps the only man In the United
States who has thrice refused the secre-
taryship of the treasury. President Gar
field wanted him for this post. President
dent McKlnley's overtures met with like
f.s