The Washington herald., 1914-04-10
Political Procession.
By n. n. G..

| now oeiator Nhtndn ton, OK west VII
ginia. might have been President of tbs
United States had he not declined to bt
a candidate for Vice President was tolC
lin. West Virginia political circle the
other night at the Willard, with each
listener wondering why he had nevel
heard 1t before. They were all familiar
with Senator COTS modesty in politics
as well as his courage once In the run
ming. but that he had Inadvertently
missed the Presidency was something
startling. Then IL was disclosed that In
May, 1880. the Republican State conven.
ton at Wheeling instructed the delegates
to the Chicago convention to present
Nathan Con, Of Clarksburg for the Vice
Presidential nomination. This was done
with enthusiasm and sincerity, but with
out consulting Con, who had been promi-
nent and popular in Republican State
affairs during days OF Democratic su-
premacy and Republican hope-hope only.
Gratefully enough, but modestly, Gof de-
clined to have his name presented, much
to the regret of his admirers. Hence
when Garfield was named. Chairman
Campbell, OF the West Virginia delega-
tion. at the Vice Presidential juncture
arose and remarked:
"Our delegation was directed to pre-
sent to this convention the name OF a
distinguished citizen of that State. II
otch llAthNlOh " w 81, puL
know that, In the language OF our distin-
guished Chief Magistrate, he who serves
his country best serves his party best.
| Therefore, sir, I withhold the name OF
that distinguished citizen-a man known
| Throughout every square mile of our ter
ritory whose name is as familiar as a
| household word, who was a gallant SOL
dier in the war, who was known for his
high bravery on the neld. who has been
/ NrA h..
ment, and has declined to accept 1.-THE
name of Gen. Goff. of West Virginia
And in conformity with the wishes of
this delegation, and know in conformity
with the wishes of Gen. Gon himself, /
| rise, sir, to second the nomination of
Elihu Washburne. Gen. Con, of whom /
have spoken. and whose name we had
expected TO present is the idol of all
our hearts in West Virginia. He is our
Henry Clay. But. sir. we are willing TO
forego the pleasure and State pride in
presenting Gen. COTS name here and
urge Mr.. washburne's nomination as one
that will aid not only in West Virginia,
but the country over"
When it is recalled that the Republican
ticket of Garfield and Arthur was elected
that Garfield was shot on July 2, issl,
and died in September with the Vice
President succeeding TO almost a full
ltTIn III the W Illlt I1OuSt-iIltIt - sOAilI
speculation as to the Senator's possible
regret that he thrust aside a possible
Vice Presidential honor when he was
under forty years of age.
The Twenty-seventh Congress chosen
IN the ''Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" cam
paign of 1870 and beginning business
March 4, ISL, included in its member
ship more names great in previous and
subsequent sessions than any other roll
call of the sixty-three terms up to date.
Five Presidents were in the House and
Senate lists. Tyler came in as Vice Presi-
cent and in a month became President
on the death Of Harrison. John Quincy
Aoams had been President and the son
of a President. without being too proud
for active service IN the House Of which
he was a member during the Tyler term.
MiIlard Fillmore, a Senator from New
York, was later on elected Vice Presi-
dent. becoming President when Zachary
Taylor died. Franklin Pierce was Sen
eior from New Hampshire in 1871 ana
dnzcn years later was sworn in as Presi-
dent. James Buchanan was Senator from
Pennsylvania. and in 1857 came to the
White House for a single term. George
w. Crawford. of Georgia. was governor
in Tylers time after service in Congress.
then governor and later Secretary OF War
under Taylor. Henry Clay was Senator
from Kentucky with John J. Crittenden
and William f. King. later Vice Presi
dent, was Senator from Alabama. Will
lam L. Dayton was Senator from New
Jersey. becoming Vice President later on.
william Allen and Joshua r. Glddings
were eminent members from Ohio. and
Calhoun Senator from South Carolina. No
other Congress has had not only as many
Presidents or candidates for President
who failed to connect.