The Savannah morning news., 1903-07-30
A GEORGIA CANDIDATE.

Hon. Walter H. Johnson of this state
have inaugurated a movement to have
| him nominated for the second place
on the ticket with President Roosevelt.
AS far as we are informed, Mr.. John
son has not been consulted about the
matter It may turn out that he is
not more anxious for the place than
the others who have been named in
connection with it,
A few days ago some of the Re-
publican leaders named Senator Hanna
for the position, but that astute states
man very promptly announced that ne
wouldn't accept it under any circum-
stances. He talked as If he thought
| the position was one that man of
his importance in his party could hard
! ly be expected to accept.
Then Senator Platt came forward
with a suggestion. 1t was that Sena-
tor Aldrich be nominated for Vice
President. That Senator said nothing,
and the suggestion was quickly for
gotten. 1t was we'll understood, of
course, that Senator Plat was jok-
liH NAitlt nN lidAiiNu t9CAifbAOA @RANA 49,
who is the leader of the Senate. The
position he holds is one of great in
huence and power. 1t is not at all
likely he would give it up for the
vice presidency--a position that has
no influence or patronage connected
with it. Even Senator Beverage, when
his name was mentioned in connection
with the position, seemed to think
that those who mentioned him for The
place did not have a proper under
standing of his Importance.
1t is doubtful if there is a Republ
can senator who would give up his
place in the Senate for the second place
on the presidential ticket of his party.
There was a time when the vice presi-
dency was regarded as OF vastly more
Importance than it is now. Indeed, at
the time the constitution was framed
the opinion was expressed that the
Vice President ought not to be made
the presiding officer of the Senate, for
the reason that the position would give
the executive branch of the govern
ment an undue influence in the legIsla-
tive branch.
Those who held that view, however,
were greatly mistaken as to the infu-
ence the Vice President was to have
in the affairs of the government. AS
a matter of fact, he has none what
ever. He isn't consulted by the Presi-
dent or by senators. He is let Sc
verely alone. AS a general thing, he
hasn't influence enough to control the
appointment of the postmaster of his
home town. He is simply the presid-
ing officer of the Senate, and his exist
ence is hardly recognized by the Presi-
dent. OF course, the vice presidency
has possibilities. The Vice President,
in the event of the death, disability or
removal of the President. becomes
President, but his chance of becoming
President is regarded as remote.
1t will be recalled that Mr.. Roose-
welt did not want to be nominated for
Vice President. He was practically
forced into taking the nomination. He
was advised to accept it because he
of New York. He knew that If denied
a denomination as Governor his politi-
cal career would be at an end. He
also knew that the vice presidency was
the graveyard of political hopes. Still,
it is probable that he argued that
something to his benefit might turn up
if he became Vice President, whereas,
If he did not accept there was nothing
in sight for him. 1t was a lucky thing
for him that he did accept the vice
presidential nomination. The unex-
pected happened, and he is President,
with a very good chance of being
elected President.
We do not know what Mr.. Johnson's
political ambition is, but there are no
signs indicating that there is anything
as good as the vice presidency in store
for him if he remains citizen of
Georgia. Therefore. it wouldn't be sur
prising if he should desire the place.
But has he the remotest chance of
getting it? 1t is doubtful The Re-
publican party hasn't any chance of
carrying Georgia. 1t is not likely the
Republican leaders will waste the vice
presidential nomination on a state
which their party cannot carry.