Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-06-10
The Vice Presidents Have
Hard Rows 10 Hoe.
Nj. Marshall Escapes Wash
ingi0n 10 Speechify South.


Washington, ID. c., June 9.-(SpeciaD.
Public officials at this season of the
year are prone to stray. 1t is the time
when many want to leave the old town
behind and forget official cares. That
feeling has come over the Honora BILE
Vice President, Mr.. Marshall. He has
put down his gavel and gone away
through the South and thence to his
home city of indianapolis. The Senate
is struggling along without its resu-
lar presiding officer, doing the best it
can with Senator James p. Clark Of
Arkansas, who can speak more words
in minute than any other man III
public life
Vice President Marshall found his
job rs pre- siding officer of the Senate Il
little ilksame. 1t was mere his pleas
ure To proceed from one occasion u
another delivering speeches, at hieh
he is very happy. However, he is I'M
proving in his knowledge of parlia
mentary law and in his interpret ttion
of Senate affairs. as most Vice Presi
dents do. Elder senators have ceased
to haze him, for they learn that he Is
very sensitive about parliamentary
matters and is trying just as hard as he
can to learn how to preside we'll.
A Vice President has a hard lot in
Washington. II he does not exert him
self in some direction the cruel town
speedily forgets all about him. He is in
vited as a matter of course 10 many
public functions. including some oftie-
ial functions, but If he does not watch
cut people of secondary importance will
monopolize and give him about the
only opportunities he has to rise and
shine. Naturally most vice Presidents
struggle against falling into any such
status. IL they be rich, as many Vice
Presidents have been. they rent a pal
ace in Washington and entertain mag
efficiently. That gives them certain
standing here with the elect. But Vice
President Marshall is poor man. has
rothing hut his salary of sl2,eo9
year ~ live on, and that is not drop
In a bucket for Vice President who
would rent a palace and entertain.
ON the other hand If a Vice President
exerts himself too much III Washington
the tendency is 10 criticism him. Peo-
pie wink the left eye and assert that he
Is talking too much. A little more conf
posture would be quite diSnified amt
more satisfactory. And so 1t is that
Vice President Marshall has hard
row 10 hoe. He certainly is good
speeehmaker but he has TO say ultra
things to command any attention. lie
has been saying ultra things and he
has been commanding attention but
some of the influential ones in Wash
ington are fitting their noses and
adopting scornful airs.
There is nothing to show that the
Vice President is feeling particularly
uncomfortable about it. He is man OF
philosophy and likes his place, even
though ii be high up among the mighty
ones with comparatively little to do.
He started in to hold the Senate Sayel
every day the Senate was in session
hut there was a call to him from sew
e,al cities in the South and away he
went. really glad TO have a little sur
cease from Washington. Let II be borne
in mind, however, that Washington
will be glad to see the Vice President
back again in his place.