Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-05
Enjoyed Country's Confidence.
MCKINLEY WANTED ALLISON
TO GO ON THE 1900 TICKET
Senator Scott Relates a Bit of His
tory Not Generally Known.

That Senator Allison was the first
choice of President Mckinley for his
running mate on the presidential ticket
in 1900 is a bit of political history that
is not generally known. and probably
has never been printed before. Senator
Scott of West Virginia. warm personal
and political friend of the late Iowa
senator. told the story this morning at
the New Willard.
In the spring of 1900 before the re-
publican national convention. President
Mckinley sent for Senator Scott and
told him he would like to have Senator
Allison as his partner in the big race in
the fall He felt certain, he said. that
If the distinguished Iowan could be in
duced to accept the nomination he could
have it. The President had been assured
by the republican leaders that he would
he nominated to succeed himself and
he was naturally looked to for advice
concerning the vice presidential nomina-
ton.
to go to Senator Allison and sound him
on the subject of the vice presidency
Il told the President said Mr. Scott
this morning. that 1 didn't think it
would do any good to see Allison, be-
cause I was certain he would not give
up his seat In the Senate to become Vice
President. Still. 1 agreed to talk to him
about it,
Preferred the Senate.
Sure enough. when Mr. Scott preached
the matter to Mr.. Allison the latter al
though expressing his gratitude toward
the President and his republican as
sociates. was firm in his stand that he
could better serve his state and the
country by remaining in the Senate He
did not care for the inactivity of a Vice
Presidents position.
Il went back and told the President
what Senator Allison had said" continued
the West Virginia senator, land he re-
marked that he was very sorry but he
supposed Allison was right about it,
Senator Allison had no warmer friend
in the Senate than Mr.. Scott.
I'VE were both born in Ohio said Mr..
Scott this morning, land 1 knew him
an Iowa girl and this gave me a special
interest in Mr.. Allisons state. Every
body in the Senate. and in the House. too
loved Senator Allison like d father and
all looked to him for advice AS a sena-
tor he was really non-partisan in his at
tftude and l am certain that his death
will be mourned as much by democratic
as by republican senator's"
Regard of His Associates.
touching instance of the respect and
esteem in which Mr.. Allison was held by
Tie OcIIdte occurred Il lew DAYS before
the close of the last session. The omni-
bus public buildings bill was being
rushed through as it was nearly time
to adjourn by the decree Of the leaders
Senator Scott. as chairman of the pub
lie buildings and grounds committee. had
the measure in charge. Every effort was
being made to prevent encumbering it
with amendments that were not reported
favorably by the committee In the course
of the debate Senator Allison, who was
then so feeble that he could scarcely
stand alone asked in weak voice for
the insertion of little item for build
ing in Wisconsin. He said he was par
ticularly interested in 1t and hoped the
chairman of the committee would not OBJ
ject.
Senator Scott and the other members of
the committee had been merciless to all
others making such requests. and the
democrats always anxious to go on record
as being opposed to unnecessary expendi-
ture of the government 8 money" were
backing them up at every move. When
Senator Allison made his request. Senator
Scott Immediately arose and replied that
it would break through the precedent al
ready established with regard to the
measure to put the item in the bill. but
that he felt certain the cOnferees of both
houses would make an exception in the
case Of the beloved senator from Iowa"
Democrats and republicans nodded as
sent. and Mr.. Allison got what he wanted.