The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-06-25
THE VICE PRESIDENT.

The talk we hear now about the practi-
cal insignifcance of the vice-president of
the United States and the unfitness of the
post for StateSmanllke abilities has no
justification in the history of that exalted
office. From the very foundation of the
republic the place mas been occupied by
an unbroken succession OF men OF a dis
tinction in our political annals not ex-
ceeded by that of the presidents them
selves
OF the twenty-four men who have held
the Office of vice president, fOur-John
Tyler, Willard Fillmore, Andrew john
son and Chester Alan Arthur, have
succeeded to the presidency through the
gGath of the elected occupants, and three
John Adams. Thomas Jefferson and
Martin Van Buren-have been elected
subsequently, to the presidency. Here is
the whole list and it will be seen to con-
tain the names OF men illustriOus in our
history:
John Adams. John c. Breekin-
Thomas jefferson, ridge.
Aaron Burr, Hannibal Hamlin,
George Clinton, Andrew Johnson,
Elbridge Gerry, Schuyler ColfaX,
Daniel d. TOmpkins, Henry Wilson,
John G. Calhoun, William A. Wheeler,
Martin Van Buren,, Chester a. Arthur
Richard NJ. Johnson, Thomas A Hen
John Tyler, bricks,
George NJ. Dallas, Levi P. Morton.
Willard Fillmore, Adlai E. Stevenson,
William r. King, Carrot A Hobart.
The careers of Adams, Jefferson and
Clinton ought to be as well known, more
especially to New Workers, but probably
MS is a mere name to most OF this gen
GRAFTON. though in his time he was one
of the great political persOnages of this
state, of which he was the first governor,
IN 11l7. and held the office by successive
elections until 1895, and afterward. in 1901,
was again elected to the place. His poll
| teal influence in this state was always
commanding. If he had lived in our time
he would have been called a Boss; for
he represented one of the three great
families, which 10 TO the beginning of
/ this century struggled for the political
mastery-the LivingStons, the Schuylers
and the Clintons.
Elbridge Gerry was famous in the
revolutionary history of Massachusetts
gress associated with Hancock and the
AdamSes was one of the Signers of the
Declaration Of Independence, and as gov
ernOr of Massachusetts gave his name
70 the partisan districting of a state,
known as gerrymandering. A notable
/ hgure in our history was Elbridge Gerry.
Daniel D TOmpkins was a parsonage IN
New YORK; a graduate OF Columbia col
/ lege a distinguished lawyer of this town,
a judge of the supreme court a governor
OF the state In successive terms from 1901
to 1917, and a. great political leader. He
buTdened himself with a load of debt by
most hOnOrably pledging his personal
/ credit to sustain the government during
/ the war of 1872, the New York banks haV-
ing refused to lend money on United
/ States treasury notes without his en-
/ dOrSement. In 1917, before reSigning the
] governorShip to take the vice presidency,
/ he sent message TO the legislature re-
! commencing that a day be fixed for the
abolition of slavery in the state. and
/ accordingly the assembly decreed that all
! slaves should be free after July 4. 1927.
I Tompkins was an ADLER man than James
/ Monroe, who was elected president, but
the northern Democrats were not strong
enough to get the first place on the ticket
( We need say nothing of John c. Cal
| noun of South Carolina and Martin Van
( Buren, of New York, for their history is
/ well known even to this so easily forget
/ full generation; both are among the most
/ distinguished names in American history
/ Richard Mentor Johnson, vice president
| when Martin Van Buren, became Dresi-
/ dent, IN. 1887, served long In congress, dis
| ttnguished himself greatly in the war OF
1872, was for several terms in the senate
and altogether was man of great note
/ high courage and much ability. John Ty-
/ Ter everybody knows about George M
/ Dallas was one of the most distinguished
! men in the history Of Pennsylvania poll
! ties, having been for many years the riva
I of James Buchanan as leader Of the Dem
ocratic party in that state-a man of first
f, rate abilities The career of Willard Fill
| more we do not need to describe, save tC
say that he had long been notable in the
/ history of the Wing party in New York
| William Rufus King of Alabama, vice
president when Franklin Pierce was pres
| ident had served IN. the senate and as
minister to France. assisted in bringing
| about the annexation of Texas without
/ European opposition John Cab5l Breck
( inridge of Kentucky, vice president WheI
/ James Buchanan was president mac
( served in the Mexican war, been In con
gress and was distinguished representa-
/ tive of southern sentiment, so that after
! wards, in 1860, he was nominated fol
president by the wing Of the Democratic
/ party in favor of the extension OF slavery
! Hannibal Hamlin, vice president during
! Abraham LincOlns first term, was one o
the most notable figures in the history
. of the Republican party and continued 81
to be throughout his long life. Andrew
johnson was a public man of the frs
importance Schuyler ColfaX was one o.
the most conspicuous of Republicans, ant
/ Henry Wilson was of the highest dis
tinction in that party.
William A Wheeler had distin9uishe,
himself in the legislature of New Yorl
and in congress. Chester Alan Arthur
was foremost Republican leader OF TIN
state, and the distinction of Thomas A
! Hendricks in the Democratic party wa
high Levi p. Morton still sustains tn
best traditions of the dignity and aDll
ity of American public life. Adiat e
Stevenson was selected as a well know
figure IN the Democratic party Of Illinois
Garrett A. Hobart of New Jersey carries
high character and great ability into tn
vice presidency,
1t will thus be seen that from the mrs
men in the very forefront of our politica
Iifa baxye hold fba office Of vice presiden
and have esteemed il worthy of the great
est abilities. the highest ambitions and tn
most distinguished record of public serv
ices