The Washington times., 1904-05-22
Robert Roberts Hit IS
Willing to Become
the Candidate.
His Career as a Diplo-
matiSt and as a Mem
Der of Congress.
The Hits Have Prom
inent Place in Society
of the Capital.
OOsEvELT and Hit,

Il the funny paragraphers, the
Campaign rhymers, and the "rooters"
have had such an opportunity for play
upon political slogan, and they are as
much delighted as are the Administra-
ton leaders over the fact that they have
at last in the person of the Hon. Robert
Roberts Hit found a man who will not
dodge the nomination for Vice President,
but who is willing to stand and let it
hit him
Roosevelt and Hit. and Hit 'em
Hard" is a phrase which has already
been coined by Cabinet officer. and
there is promise that it will go the
rounds, while Speaker Cannon when
asked II he had any objection 20 the
nomination Of his distinguished col
league in the House, replied with his
characteristic force and terseness:
'Hitti Hit, Bob Hitti
Why, not a damned biti'
These are only first suggestions of the
possibilities that lie in the formation of
such ticket Let 1t be named at Chi
cago and the epigrammarians will do
the rest. and If anyone doubts the value
Of a good campaign slogan let him
remember "Tippecanoe and Tyler too"
and the hard cider campaign OF 1870. The
combination is not especially euphonI-
Gus, but 1t can be made TO rhyme and
that will suffice in this connection.
A Good Combination.
But the fact that Roosevelt and
Hit would make a good campaign slo-
gan Is by no means the only reason
which recommends the nomination of
the Illinois Congressman for the Vice
Presidency, in the opinion Of Repub-
hcan leaders and laymen In the first
place Mr.. Hit ''is wilIin'," which IS the
first element in his favor In view Of the
circumstance In the second place, he
comes from State which will be bat
tie ground in the impending contest. and
In which his party viii be Obliged To
fight hard II Il is retained I'm the Re-
publican column this year, and he Will
give strength to the ticket In the third
place, he has all the necessary qualifi-
cations-popularity, freedom from en-
tangling fractional alliances, experience
In statecraft. integrity Of character. dig
nifty well suited to preside over the de-
alterations OF that most august bod,, -
wealth and social position. the two lat
ter being elements which have come TO
DC regarded as quite as essential as
anything else in a candidate for the
Vice Presidency. an Office, the occupant
OF which Ben Franklin wanted TO dub
His superfluous Highness."
Link With the Past.
Furthermore. and. while IT NAV not no
important. the fact IS nevertheless in
tcresting. that Representative Hit is
orc Of the few remaining statesmen
now before the public eve who may no
said 70 link the Republican party OF
fifty years ago with the Republican
party Of today, the day of its birth
with the day Of it's maturity. the Re
publican party of Lincoln with the Re-
publican party Of Roosevelt As such
he stands with Secretary Hay. Both
Mr.. Hit and Secretary Hay in their
youth enjoyed the close and warm per
EOnai friendship. cOmpanionship. and
confidence Of the first Republican Presi.
dent: both occupy a similar position
with the latest Republican President.
There are many Of the old Repub-
hcan veterans living today. although
Tor the most part they are In decline
and obscurity. and none more than
they would welcome this recognition OF
the founders OF the party
Robert Roberts Hit was born in TTr.
bana, Ohio, on January &C. 1894. and
consequently has reached the age o.
three-score years and ten. the Biblica
limitation when the labors Of mar
EluuAu Gtdcfs ana Wnen ne who has
reached that period OF life should b,
gathered unto his fathers. But Rcp
Iesentative Hit IS one of those wlo
having attained the age OF seventy
years, Is still hale and hearty, as mu.l
90 as many another man two decades
his Junior. He Is in the fullness of hi
intellectual powers. and the ripeness o,
hts experience. as well qualified in ever,
respect 10 assume the duties whief
would devolve upon him, ~ elected. q,
any man the country who might b.
ehcsen for that dignified position.
Would Have Full Term.
II he should be nominated, as nov
seems probable. and II he should b,
elected. which IS certainly easily within
the range of possibilities, there Is littl,
doubt that he would serve out his full
term as the presiding officer OF the Sen
ate. II is true that II elected he woul,
be the oldest man ever indicted int;
that Office. as Mr.. Roosevelt is tn,
youngest man who ever discharged tn,
duties OF the Office OF President. bu
that ought TO be no reason why tn,
nomination should be denied him, es
pecially when the consensus of opinioi
Is that he IS the most available maj
for the place.
Elbridge Gerry was the oldest mai
who ever became Vice President. II
was past sixty-nine when he assune
the Office and served one year seve
months and nineteen days. Althous;
Representative Hit will be past sew
enty-one on March next. there ar
fifteen active and useful members o
the present Senate who are his seniors
besides several others who are les
than a year younger.
thought OF as too old for the Vice Presi
dencyy and whom some have eve
spoken of as the candidate for Presiden
In 1908. is only two years his junior
His Adopted State.
When Mr.. Hit was three years Of ag
his parents removed TO Ogle county. III
and IL is in this section OF the Prairi
State but q short distance from the oil
30 he H. ssfr !,