Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-08
S &c RE- ETARY l. 0 N G
HIS AVAILABILITY AS A VICE PRESI-
DENTAL CANDIDATE
Would Be Acceptable to the Presi-
dent, With Whom He Has Most
Cordial Relations.

conference of his friends, or any friend, for
that matter, that he considers himself inel-
gioie for the republican vice presidential
nomination because of the Sampson-Schley
controversy. He has never intimated his
intention of having his name withdrawn
from consideration, and is today declared by
his friends to be the strongest man in the
race for second place on the republican
ticket.
That there is something attra ctive and
weishty in the candidacy of Secretary Long
is appreciated more and more each day by
public men, particularly those who come in
contact with the administration influence.
Many reasons for this are found and dis
cussed, with more or less speculation at
tached. A foremost reason is that the can
didate for Vice President must be accept
able to the President himself The Presi-
dent will make attempt to dictate the
man, but he will undoubtedly desire that his
running mate shall be agreeable to him per-
sonally. and that his record shall be such
as will not act as a milestone around the
neck of the republican ticket.
Nothing From the President.
President Mckinley has so far given no
utterance on this feature of Secretary
Longs candidacy, but it is asserted that
Secretary Long will be satisfactory to the
President. OF course there are others who
may be candidates who will not prove OBJ
jectionable, and no one has gone far as
to intimate that Secretary Long is the IA
vOrite of the President. There will be no
favorites. but every man who expects to as
pire to this nomination must have strength
and ability, or President Mckinley will be
forced to say to his friends in the conven-
ton that certain men might prove danger
Gus to the ticket. This would be all that is
necessary to end the ambitions of a candi-
date.
A close friend of President Mckinley
stated to a representative of The Star that
if the candidacy of Secretary Long had not
been agreeable to the President the matter
would not have gone far. Secretary
Long would not permit his name to be dis
cussed a minute after the President had in
tWated that ii was not judicious.
Cordial Relations
The relations of the two men border on
affection. 1t is asserted that no member of
the cabinet holds a warmer place in Presi-
dent Mckinley's heart in a personal way
than Secretary Long. This attachment ex-
listed prior to NIcKinley's election as Presi-
dent, ana has grown with time and official
relations. The President regards Mr. Long
as having no peer in craftsmanship and
ability, and the only objection he could find
in his own mind to Mr.. Long as running
mate. it is said. is that Massachusetts is a
certain republican state, and the second
place candidate should come from a doubt
full or weak state.
No word. it is said. has passed between
the President and Secretary Long as 10
the vice presidency. Mr.. Long looks upon
the office as one of such high honor that a
man should do nothing which could be in
terpreted as seeking the place. To him the
subject is one of extreme dclicacy 1t IS
among the possibilities that the President
and his Secretary, even should the latter
be nominated at Philadelphia, will never
pass a word with each other about the Sec
retarys ambitions and purposes
The President it is said by friends would
have no fear of Secretary Long because of
the Sampson-Schley dispute. The Presi-
dent himself is just as deeply involved as
Secretary Long, if blame attaches anywhere
The administration regards this controversy
as one OF the things Of the past.
The Case of Roosevelt.
When Gov. Roosevelt comes TO Washing
ton tomorrow the politicians and leaders
may talk some about the vice presidency
but the idea is dying out in Washington
that nomination would be forced upon
Roosevelt at Philadelphia. Such course
would, 1t is said, tend to encourage state
ments that the President was weak and
wanted a popular favorite on the ticket
Roosevelt will not be nominated against his
wishes. The President and his advisers
are not hunting favOrite sons from doubt
full states as candidates. They don't be-
lieve this is necessary. They believe thar
issues, not faYOrite sons or personal uonl1-
larity, will decide the contest this fall The
President is also said to be opposed to n
wealthy man on the ticket with him. These
and numerous other reasons are pointed
out as showing the great strength of Secre-
tary Long as a candidate.