Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-23
IOWA AND THE VICE PRESIDENCY

Cedar Rapids Republican: Govern
or Cummins says that the story that
he had written a letter saying that he
would accept the vice presidency, If it
should be rendered to him, is false.
| AS this story was originally sent out
it was made to- appear that Governor
Cummins probably had some intention
of seeking the nomination for vice
president, but his prompt denial dis
poses of that theory.
Secretary Shaw has often been men
toned as an available man for vice
president, and not few have urged
| him 10 permit boom to be started.
But the secretary has positively de-
clined. Most of these stories when
run down, are found to be of democrat
ic origin.
| 1t woul seem that both Secretary
Shaw and Governor Cummins are wise
| in refusing to become formal candi-
dates for this Office under any circum-
stances. The vice presidency is an Of
| flee that is disposed of peculiarly.
There is no fixed rule except that the
candidate for vice president is usual
lily nominated for some consideration
4 that does not obtain when it comes to
the selection of any other official.
When there is bitter contest in the
national convention between candi-
dates, the nomination for the vice pres
lidency is usually given as a consola
ton prize to those who lose out in the
convention. And if it is possible, they
select this consolation prize candidate
from a doubtful state. In such manner
Wheeler was selected to run with
Hayes, and Arthur with Garfield, and
Levi P. Morton with Harrison the first
| time. In 1884 Logan was put on the
ticket with Blaine because of his great
popularity with the soldiers. Blaine
being the first civilian candidate fol
the presidency since the war In 1898
Whitelaw Reid was nominated for vice
president along with / rrison at the
dictation of New York. In 1896 Ho.
bart was chosen because of his
strength in the doubtful state of New
Jersey, and because of his popularity
with the business element and his
great wealth.
/ Roosevelt was nominated in 1900 by
popular demand, the only time a vice
president was nominated in such fash.
lion in the history of the party. The
nearest approach to it perhaps was thu
nomination of Logan. But Logan's nom.
ination was not talked about or
Thought of prior to the asemblinsg of
the convention. In fact. premeditat-
ed candidates. for vice president are
seldom if ever successful.
| Next year President Roosevelt will
be nominated by ACCLAIM ion. The
chances are that the convention will
choose as his running mate some old
and tried republican statesman from
some republican state considered more
uncertain as to it's electoral vote than
Iowa. If Senator Hanna would consent
to accept the second place on the tick
ct, no other man would be mentioned
| in connection with the vice presiden-
cy; and it may be that he will be made
to take the place against his will, just
as Roosevelt was four years ago.
! Iowa could furnish half a dozen or
more men any one of whom would
make popular running mate for the
president, but Iowa is not likely to be
4 the state from which the vice presi.
Dental candidate will be taken. And
since Governor Cummins and Secre-
tary Shaw both say they are not can,
tdidates it is not likely that the state
will go into the vice presidential bust
ness. 1t would be absolute folly to do
so