The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-19
Believes Vice President Is Quite
Useless
WOULD DO AWAY WITH HIM
Rather Startling Interview Given by
President Wheeler of the Univer-
sity of California, Who Explains
His Views OF Matter in Detail.

CHICAGO, June l4.--"Under til,
present conditions the office OF vice
president has become not only a use
less office, but it is a real menace tc
the system OF governemnt in tn,
United States"
DR.. Benjamin lde Wheeler, presi
dent of the University OF California
made this remarkable declaration
during All interview here at the Audi,
torium-AnneX. The subject came up
during a discussion OF the scramble
that is going on over the vice-presi.
dental nomination on the Republican
ticket DR. Wheeler's close friendship
with President Roosevelt is we'll
known, and in view OF this fact, and
coming, as it does, on the eve of the
Republican national convention, his
startling conviction seems OF more
than passing Importance.
Il think this country has out.
grown the Office OF Vive President"
continued DR.. Wheeler when asked
for an elaboration OF his assertion
Have you ever stopped to consider
that there is only one life between
that OF the Vice-President and the
Chief Executive of this country? The
death of President puts into this
position of vast power a man who is
likely to be one hardly fitted to in
herit so great responsibility.
Il do not mean that one chosen as
Vice-President is likely to be an in
competent or wholly unfit by any
means, but in the evolution OF presi-
dental usage the Vice Presidency has
come to be regarded as minor Office
compared with that of President.
when in the very nature of things it
should be the equal. The Vice Presi.
dent should be a man with qualifca-
tions as great as those of the Chief
Executive himself, so that in the event
OF his being called upon by circum-
stances to become the head of the ma
ton there would be no weakening of
the national executive system.
This is not always so, however,
under the modern political order of
things in this country Look at the
impending convention here as an ex-
ample. Look at the number Of names
that have been advanced as possible |
Viee-Presidential candidates. Some
have been mentioned with large de-
gree Of prominence and it is possible
that some one might be chosen, be-
cause OF political expediency or other
wise, who would not have the high
order Of ability possessed by the head
Of the ticket.
"Such condition should not be,
but it is, and because of that | have
come to look upon the Vice -Presi-
1ency Of to-day as fraught with dang
erous possibilities. 1t is because Of
this that t would seem wise to abol-
sh the office"
"How would you provide for the
Presidential succession in that event"
was suggested.
at is already provided for in the
constitution" said DR. Wheeler. "An
amendment fixes definitely the line of
through the various cab
net Of officers, 1t seems to me that
his would be as wise a system in the
obsence Of the yice-presidency as it is
With one. The members Of the cabinet
ire invariably strong, able men, care
ully chosen by the President and
probably far better equipped to as
ume the place Of the executive.
"The Secretary Of State is first in
uccession, the Secretary Of War next,
nd then the Secretary Of the Treas
Try. These officials are closely and
ctively associated with the President
t all times and are intimately ac-
uainted with his policies and aims, d
nd with the intimate affairs of the