The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-29
CASE IS CRITICAL
Vice Presidents Condition
Shows No Improvement.
Recurrence of Distressing TrOu-
BILE Follows a Good Night.

Utica Oct 2e-After a restful
night and a generally improved con-
dition which continued well into the
forenoon, Vice President Sherman
this afternoon suffered a recurrence
of the distressing conditions which
marked his case yesterday.
DR.. Peck, Mr.. Sherman's attending
physician, just as he left the house
today. was hurriedly recalled. He
found the vice president again suf-
fering from an aggravation of his
kidney trouble and remained with him
for two hours. When he left he ad-
mitted the extremely critical condi-
tion of Mr. Sherman, but he gave as
surance to the family that there was
no danger of a serious termination in
the immediate future.
Dr. Peck authorized this statement
regarding Mr.. Shermans illness and
his present condition:
Mr.. Sherman has been sick all of
this year. due to the condition Of his
kidneys. hardening of the arteries and
softening of the muscles of the heart,
which is somewhat stretched Mr..
Sherman had an attack in the Adiron-
dacks at Big Moose lake and expected
and improved steadily and satisfactor-
lily until the latter part of August.
Since then his condition has been ag-
gravated and he has been steadily fail
toms Mr.. Sherman rallied at nightfall
and continued to show improvement
during the evening. This is due in no
small measure to powerful medicines.
Whether he can much longer success
fully combat the attack is a matter of
grave doubt.
Much Speculation in Washington
washington. Oct 29.-The illness of
Vice President Sherman and specula-
ton over the possibilities of his with
drawal from the Republican ticket be-
cause ofthe precarious. condition of his
health. has aroused discuss-c here over
the proba BILE methods of filling his
place.
The general opinion expressed was
that the Republican national committee
or the executive committee possessed
power to fill a vacancy upon the ticket.
No one here processes to know whether
the Chicago convention specifically pro-
vided for such an emergency. The report
of the 1908 convention does not appear
to show that such a provision was made
then and the stenographic report of
this convention this year has not vet
been printed.
Should a vacancy occur on the Repu.-
lican ticket. either before or after cleo
ton. some Republican leaders here tod7y
argued the electors would have power to
vote for any candidate for vice president
thev might choose Precedents were al
mitted to be lacking. but it was decIar I'd
in the past bound electors to vote for
their party nominees. No one suggested. /
however. that choice of the Republican I
national committee or its executive conI-
nittee would fail to receive the support /
Of the Taft electors.
Ordinarily should there be no vice presi- I
dent. the president pro tenn of the senate I
would preside over that body and the lire (
Of succession to the presidency would be 4
to the secretary of state. For the last 4
several months, however. the present sen 4
ate has been unable TO agree upon a p-esi- /
dent pro TEN and that office has been va /
cant
Some time ago, it was learned TO-DAY 4
Chairman Charles D. Hilles. of the r.
publican national committee. made ex-
aaustive inquiries as to the necessity ..
certifying to the various secretaries OF
states the names OF the Republican can
7idates and as a result certified the names [
Of Taft and Sherman for printing upon
ballots in all states
The possibility IL even a remote one.
that there might be no Republican can
iidate for vice president. suggests many.
possibilities in the event that |
he election should go to the house Of /
representatives.