The National tribune., 1908-05-07
The yice-presldential Nominee.

The yice-Presfdenfial Nominee.
There is much speculation in OIL
cial Washington about the Republican
nominee for the Vice-Presidency. As
long as it is taken for granted that
Secretary Taft is to head the ticket,
saving only by those who for one rea-
son or another are yelling for third
term for Roosevelt at the capacity OF
their lungs, there is quite as much con-
Germ for the time being over the run
ming mate.
",rhe convention should be left some
thing to do is a frequent statement
in that connection. There is aversion
Presidency And yet Secretary Taft,
nominated thru the influence of Presi-
dent Rooseyeit--if he is nominated
will virtually name his own running
mate. Perhaps it would be more cor
rect to say that President Roosevelt
will pick him, for President Roosevelt
does not do things by halves. He will
run the Chicago convention, according
to all prospects, down to the minor
details.
Naturally the running mate will
come from the East. for there have
been very, very few precedents for TAX
ing n Presidential and a Yice-Presiden-
tial nominee from the same section of
the country. The Roosevelt people
and the Taft people have repeatedly
linked the names of Taft and Hughes
together. If Gov Hughes could be
persuaded to accept the Vice-Presiden-
tial nomination there would be almost
no question that the convention would
name him, with the approval of the
President and Secretary Taft. The
Governors nomination would assuage a
considerable following of Independent
voters, especially in New York State.
who think he should be named for the
Presidency.
Voters ike candidates with brief
names. Taft and Hughes would meet
all the requirements in that particu-
lar Taft and Fort likewise. But
some Republican leaders have been
reading Gov. Forts biography of late,
and they do not think he has done
enough to inspire the masses particu-
larry. He is quite as good man
probably as was the late Vice-Presf-
dent Hobart, who also came from New
Jersey. AS a matter of fact Hobart was
almost an unknown man, when the
| Republican convention at st. Louis, in
1896 selected him as McKinley's first
running mate. But there Is feeling
that some one should be named this
year who can command support in
New York, and thus far there have
| been no Indications that New York
was much on fire over Gov. Franklin
Fort of New Jersey.
| That is why SO many Taft people
should not decline Vice-Presidential
nomination. They are dwelling upon
| the fact that the Vice-Presidency is
after all a big Office. It pays now
! s12,00o year, not as much as Gov.
| Hughes could earn at law, but the
duties are not arduous and the honor
! is an exceptional one, coming to but
1 few men. II he should be nominated
and elected IL would afford him oppor-
| tunity to ingratiate himself with Fed
eral fcrces the Taft people argue, and
| would make him more than ever q
national character.
4 Just now. however. the KNOWN, nes
| believe that Secretary az the Treasury
! George r. Cortelyou is Il promising
! lVice-Presidential possibility. lie comes
i from New YORK and * therefore geo.
/ graphically well placed. lie probably
/ would be glad to accept spch NOM
/ ination. where he would he provided
I for. If elected. for four years and
could then accept a COED financial posi-
i tion at the head OF big bank at even
i a higher salary than he could COM
rnand as an ax-Secrct8Ty Of the Treas
4 ury.
i The Secretary is rather sulien over
the summary methods President Roose-
welt adopted to snuff out his Presi-
Dental boom. but IL would be soothing
Presidency. Mr.. Cortelyou is still a
young man. There Is no telling but
| what he might serve for four years
or eight years as Vice-President-pro-
viding of course the Republicans are
able to stay in for the next four years
land then he might secure nomina-
ton for the Presidency.
| 1t will he well to watch the men
who have the making of a Vice-Presi-
Dental nominee and to keep Mr.. Cor.
telyou well in mind. As things stand
now he is quite as likely to be given
the honor as any other Republican in
the United States.