The National tribune., 1903-07-09
THE VICE-pREsIDENcY.

line selection OF a running mate for
President Roosevelt is deeply interesting
many people, as it should, for of late
years the Office of Vice-President has risen
considerably in the public estimation. The
incumbent of the Office is no longer re-
garded as "His Superfuity," as John
Quincy Adams wittily proposed to term
him, because out of the 20 Presidential
terms in the history of the country, five
have not been completed by the men
elected President. This would indicate
that there is about one chance in every six
for the Vice-President to accede to the
higher Office. The chances are even
greater, taking the history of the country
since 1861, during which time three Pre-
idents have been assassinated, making the
chance of the Vice-President becoming
President, about one in four. With this
Office in mind it becomes very interesting
as to where the choice of the Republican
Convention will light. President Roose-
velt coming from the East will put all that
part of the country between the Atlantic
and the Allegheny Mountains out of the
question. Nowhere in the South is there
a Republican of sufficient prominence to
be mentioned in connection with the nom
ination. This narrows the selection down
to the States of West Virginia, Ohio, In
diana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Min
nesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and the
two Dakotas. No one Of the last four
mentioned States has developed a man of
National prominence, and they may be
considered out of the running. Minnesota
has no aspirant as far as heard from. and
as for Iowa it would seem that with two
members Of the Cabinet the State should
ask for nothing more. Gov. Yates. of Hi
nois, is about the only possibility from
that State, and yet it is not by any means
sure that the faction he leads is the domi-
nant one in his own State. The same is
true Of Gov. La Toilette, of Wisconsin,
who has bitter warfare going on in his
own household, with some doubt as to who
is going to win out. Gov. Bliss, of Mich
isan, has excellent material in him, but
so far has not yet been mentioned In
Indiana, Senator Fairbanks had strong
Presidential aspirations until Roosevelt's
overwhelming popularity blighted them
Nothing has been said SO far as to his
willingness to accept the second place.
His colleague, Senator Beveridge, has
been spoken of, but the general impression
seems to be that while Beveridge has SO
far shown much strength, he had better
tarry in Jerico until his beard be grown.
Ohio is true to her ancient record of hay
ing available men for any office, but SO
far outside of a casual allusion to Senator
Iarna, who laughs at the suggestion, the
only mention has been of Gov. Taft, of the
Philippines. There are some very strong
reasons both for and against Gov. Taft.
and it remains to be seen whether there is
any earnestness behind his candidacy. 1t
would not be bad idea to select Vice
President from West Virginia. That
young State has never had National Off
Ger, and it is time possibly that she should
have this experience. Senator N. b.
Scott and Representative Doyener are
both veterans of the war of the rebellion,
very able men, and either would appear
with advantage on the National Republi-
| can ticket.