Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-26
GOVERNMENTS FIFTH WHEEL
OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT Is
AN AMERICAN ANOMALY.
Important Duties Should Be As
signed to Him to Insure His
Participation in Administration.

Senator A. J. Beveridge, in the Century Magazine.
Speaking by and large. it is common
knowledge that the vice presidency has
been used to ''harmonize" the party by
giving to the weaker faction the nomina-
ton of the second officer of the republic.
Just where does this lead us? AS our
party system has evolved, there has been
developed within every party two sets
of opinion almost as violently opposed
to each other as the principal opposing
political parties themselves are opposed
to each other. Let us suppose, then,
that the immense ma jority of sentiment
in given party is highly conservative in
economic policies; or, if economic policies
are not to the front, that there is
strenuous difference Of opinion as to GER
tain foreign programs. Very well.
candidate for President who vigorously
holds to the views of the majority is nom
mated by his party. Thereupon, in order
to make sure the election, a Vice Presi-
dent is nominated who just as stanchly
holds to the views of the minority of the
party. Both are elected, but the Presi-
dent, having begun to carry out the poll
cies the strength Of which among the peo-
pie secured his nomination, dies or is in
capacitated. The Vice President, repre-
Senting antagonism to these policies,
thereupon becomes President Immedi-
ately he reverses the policies of his prede-
cessor; or, If not Immediately, he cer-
tainly reverses them in the end.
Not only is it a fact that he does so.
as is illustrated by Tyler and by Andrew
Johnson, but it is nothing more than
human nature that he should do SO. In
his heart he does not believe in the pol
icies of his chief. no matter what he may
say for political effect. More important
still. he owes his nomination to that ele-
ment of his party opposed to the views
of the element which nominated the
President. Thus the will OF the people
can be negatived in single moment.
How grotesque that typhoid germ or
weak heart or a bit of lead and pinch
of powder should suddenly change the
designs of a great people and the course
of a mighty nation.
1t is plain to all thinking people that
this is a weak link in our chain Of gov
eminent which needs strengthening. The
best way to strengthen the chain-and
the strongest chain is never stronger than
it's weakest links OF course to abolish
the office of Vice President. But that is
quite out of the question. Such amend
ments to our Constitution are now vir-
tually impossible.
AND besides, the resourcefulnesS of our
thinkers usually finds some way of ac-
complshing the popular will, and neu-
tralizins dangers without amending the
Constitution. The abolition of the vice
presidency, the taking out of this dan
gerous, unnecessary and Illogical fifth
wheel ii our government, is plainly
desirable, because, Tor the reason already
given, the vice presidency is now and al
ways was a useless Office. Moreover, the
law OF succession passed in 1896 renders
it worse than useless, for that law pro-
vides that in case OF the death OF the
President land the Vice PresidenD the
Secretary Of State shall succeed to the
presidency, and after him the secretary
of the Treasury. and after him the other
members of the cabinet in the order or
the establishment OF their offices. III we
had no Vice President, this law would
insure to the republic a President chosen
by the chief magistrate himself, because.
first, OF his harmony OF view with the
chief executive, and, second, because or
his great ability. learning, patriotism ana
force of character.
Thus under the present law, If there
were no Vice Presidents, the country
would be certain, in case of the death
of the President, of a successor who
would faithfully carry out those policies
which the President himself was elected
to carry out; and there would be no re-
versal of the will of the people in case
of a succession.
What is the next best thing to do?
First, the powers of the Vice President
should be enlarged, either from an exec
utive point OF view or from a legislative
point of view. The Office should be ex-
allied in real Importance. The Vice Pres
ident should no longer be the queen
bee kept in reserve" as Mr.. Oliver pic
turesquely described him: he should no
longer be an heir apparent" calling for
the morning papers at every sunrise to
find whether the e-erts OF the night
have raised him to the throne. and with
nothing to do meanwhile except to let
this corrugating thought dwarf and NAL
form his soul. He should be given q
substantial. tangible. powerful part either
in the executive or legislative branch OF
the government. Either might accom-
plish the supreme purpose OF competing
political conventions to nominate a Vice
President with the definite thought In
mind that he may become President, In
stead of with the thought of harmon
ling a party; and insure the nomina-
ton of a man in complete and perfect
harmony with the President, whose pos
sible successor he may becomA.