The Dickinson press., 1901-10-05

Satsrdsy, Oct. s, 1901.
GREATEST OF ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENTS
Theodore Roosevelt is the fifth
of the accidental presidents of the
United States, meaning presidents
who have passed from the vice
presidency to the presidency
through the death of the chief
executive. Of the four who came
before Roosevelt three proved
Disappointing either to their po-
litical supporters, the country at
large, or both, and one was All
agreeable surprise.
The strongest of them all was
John Tyler, the first vice president
to become president, But he was
abitter disappointment to the whig
party, which had elected "Tippe-
canoe and Tyler, too" He quarrel.
ed with Clay, the great whig lead
er, vetoed the latter's bank meas
ure and aroused such Indignation
in the party, which thus saw it,
self robbed of all the fruits Of vic
tory, that Tyler was openly threat
ened with assassination. AT the
end of his term Tyler, originally
a democrat, was almost back in
that party. But his acts in Office
proved popular and his victory
over Clay was so sweeping that in
their next platform the wings did
not mention the bank measure.
Tyler found such favor with the
democrats that he became strong
candidate for their nomination in
1888. Though they actually nom-
mated Polk, Tyler's administra-
ton was indorsed.
Willard Fillmore was the most
insignificant of the vice presiden-
tial presidents. His administra-
ton witnessed and unwittingly,
promoted the death of the whig
party. 1t had no strength what
ever and vainly strove to avert
the great civil struggle by means
of impotent compromises.
Andrew Johnson, succeeding to
Lincoln second term was a stu
pendous disappointment to the
country. When he entered Office
it was feared that he would be too
drastic in his reconstruction pol
icy, he having had a lifelong hat
red of the ruling classes in the
south, though himself a south
erner. But his severity soon gave
way to such mildness that radi-
cal republicans thought he had
gone to the other extreme. The
friction which followed led to the
celebrated impeachment proceed
ings which tailed by one vote.
Johnson was forgotten as soon as
he left Office, except as we remem-
Der those objects of indignation
that suddenly drop out of our
lives. 1t had been better for
Johnson's fame if he had never
been president. He seemed ut
terly lacking in political tact and
controlling power, though appar-
emily a strong, positive and reso-
Lutte man.
Chester A. Arthur agreeably
surprised his party and the coun.
try. On account Of his differ
ences with President Garfield, and
as one of the New York stalwarts,
nothing was expected of him.
But he developed into a safe,
conservative president and left
the Office with more honor by far
than he entered it.
Theodore Roosevelt has begun
his administration in such a way
that he bids fair to be the first of
the accidental presidents whose
career in Office will bear out the
promise of his Inauguration. He
is at war with no faction or leader
in the party;his inclinations, aside
from his promise, indicate a con-
t%inuation of President McKinley's
policy and he has taken a long
step in that direction by retaining
the late presidents cabinet. All
things considered he is the ablest
man who has come into the presi-
dental chair by vice presidential
succession. He is as positive and
as strong in will as Tyler, but is
in no dispute with his party, and
has already given proof that he
does not intend to act without
taking and utilizing wise counsel.
M Minneapolis Journal.
Yaise OF Mans Life.
The Supreme Courts have decided
that the LIE OF the average man is worth
just what he Is able to euru. A mans
earnings depend to a great extent upon