Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-06-14
THE vICEPRIsIDENCY.

The effort that IL being made by
certain prominent democrats to pre-.
vent tho denomination Of Vice Presi-
dent Marshall ut st. Louis this week
probably will fail The time when
such a movement could be successful
ly launched has passed. To urge il al
this time would accomplish no other
purpose than to. create diseord and
ill-feelns In democratic ranks at a
time when harmony and enthusiasm
are imperatively needed II success az
he polls Is TO be gained
Those opposed TO Mr. Marshall's
nomination base their antagonsm to
him on the ground that he Is not a
sufficiently strong man to serve as a
running mate for President Wilson
This may or may not he true. The
vice presidency Is not an office 20 de-
velop strength in it's inoumbent--on
the contrary II has long been rocog-
nizcd rs the burial ground OF political
hopes Beyond tho comparatively
simple matter OF presiding over the
sessions Of the senate, the duties OF
the vice president are confined chief
ly to drawing his SALARY. What MIR.
Marshall might have done IN a Diff
ferent position can only DO conjec-
tured.
II IL true that on the few occasions
when he has been called upon to make
public utterances OF Importance. the
vice presidents expressed views have
not been such as to inspire confidence
In his stability Of judgment or sound
ness Of doctrine. Certain extremely
radical statements made IN speeches
In the early days of the present nd
ministration are well remembered for
the alarm that they occasioned ut the
time. OF less Importance, but also
tending TO weaken confidence in his
seriousness of purpose, has been the
persistent indulgence by Mr. Marshall
In u species OF forced humor amount
ing almost to buffoonery. The Amer
lean people have highly developed
sense of humor, but they do not like
TO ace a funny man in high office.
whatever his real merit, they are sus-
picioUs Of his ability TO measure up
TO the serious requirements OF his po- /
sltiop.
BE that as it may, tho politics of
the present situation calls for the re-
of Marshall His home
state, Indiana, is always doubtful In I
national elections. II Is badly needed /
py the democrats this year. and its
Importance In the campaign that il
lust beginning has been recognized by /
he republicans in the nomination OF i
'harlcs w Fairbanks for the vice !,
presidency. While as rule the aver
'ge voter thinks little Of who the (
for vice president is. devot-
ng his entire consideration TO the
'ead of the ticket. to side-track Mar
hall at this time would. in all prob
lbility. create a disaffectlon among +
he vice presidents friends In his n
iome state that would seriously jeop. h
rdise the success Of the ticket In In z
lana {
II IS unfortunate that under our a
ystcm Of government there is littie c
leentive for a really strong man to !
'ake the race for vice president. 4
hanse is sorely needed. No man :,
honld be elected vice president who :,
not fully up TO presidential size. 8
vt ii is nndeniably true that few n
len have been placed ii the office Isl
ho do come up to that standard. OF ID
Ne four vice presidents who succeed 7
I 70 the executive chair. three--Fill- n
ore. Tyler and Arthur--were non- u
atities, and il Is difficult for the :. :.
Ferage American citizen to rcmem- =
" their names. Andrew johnson
as man OF great native strength hi
rpwn suddenly into a vortex whichlw