The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-01
BY HOMER BAssFORD,

PnBILC. A-'' UT ihh ''-
Kansas City. Mo-. June SO.-Benjamin
Franklin Shively Of South Bend, Ind, is
six feet In height and 43 years old. He looks
bike man who is fit for the vice presiden-
tial chance of becoming President of the
United States
In 4 speech at Jefferson City not long ago
Champ Clark said that more importance
should be attached to the selection Of our
Vice Presidents. One in seven, said he,
reach the presidency. Only real presiden-
tial timber. therefore. should be considered
by a convention when It sets about the bust
ness Of filing the second place.
This man Shively CT Indiana has presi-
Genital lines In his face. His profile would
look well IN cameo. He Is not rich in
words When he speaks the utterance Is
the child Of mature elaboration. He Is no
rattle-box Of verbosity. He knows the rare
art Of smiling eioquently. He knows how
to say no with appealing gentieness. and he
is famous In his home community as man
who keeps his engagements. which Is say
ing a good deal for any one in these hurry
UP days.
There was a lot Of Shively talk about the
Hobbies Of the Baltimore Hotel here this
morning Men with Sulzer badges twisted
them mn a bit and asked each other IL they
knew anything about the man from lndi-
ana
Shiyely was the first man on the ground
He said openly that he was not candi-
date for the place He said. further, that
he would not be a candidate for the place.
He further limited that he was not looking
for vice presidential lightning TO strike him.
Indeed Shively boomers would have been
much discouraged by a talk with the man
of their choice. He was not going about
the place with banners and expectations
Shiyeiy is impressive on sight, and the
impression grows into a liking. He has
been going about the Baltimore Hotel to-
day In checked suit of sombor hue.
ad-brimmed hat. that bespeaks Texas
rather than Indiana. a high collar that
willis after the manner of high collars
perspiring gentlemen. And around the
collar there is tied calico necktie that is
clean. If not beautiful.
Mr. shively's Modesty.
Mr.. Shively does not appear to be i'm
pressed with himself. He said that he had
got to town ahead Of time. and was rather
sorry for it. He carried bit OF a grip in
which were stuffed. In delightful confusion,
a quantity of brushes and handkerchief
When a photographer approached hin,
with a camera, he got around behind the
man to whom he was talking and got his
umbrella up. Then. when the photographer
came along and entered a plea on behalf
of his art Mr.. Shively smiled. lowered his
umbrella and stood still for half minute.
Mr.. Shively IL SO modes. that he will not
allude to the fact, of which he should be
very proud. that he was elected to Congress
at the age of q and that he made Demo-
cratic district out of one that had been
gerrymandered by an Indiana Legislature
into what appeared to be sure Republican
ism. He held this position four terms and
then got out of II because he wanted TO re-
sumo the practice Of the law.
MIR. Shiveiy In a good talker. He looks
like q man who would make a good fighter.
After you have chatted with him for awhile
you come to the conclusion that he would
sacrifice himself for party any day. which
is lot to say in period when party lead
ers SO often deliberate on the subject Of
party good from the standpoint of personal
interest.
An impression gained from talking with
Mr.. Shiyeiy Is that he would instantly re-