Arizona republican., 1917-12-17
The Vice President Slandered

We resent this slander of a distinguished All- yonian the Hon Thomas Riley Marshall of Scottsdae' thirteen miles northeast of Phoenix vice president or inc United States The Portland (Orcgon) Spectator or which we know little and of whose reputation for accuracy we know nothing, ncurs the enmity of all true Arzonians in the following:
 one wishes that the duties connected with the oi- flee of vice president of the United States were he more cxacting confining when the position IS ov cuped by a gentleman whose passion for money duils his sense of the proprietics In ordinary une9 uie labor connected with the office is so light that the man who performs it makes hardly enough noise 'o cause Us to remember his name even 1T we were "Iu- btous that way But with the new duties mPoseu on the administration by the war it does seem that even for q vice president some job could be 1ouho that would engage his attention and divert ms nilu from get-rich-quick schemes
 In these days of universal service, it is more or 1oss of shock to learn that the vice president of the rrited States is travelling hther and exhibiting himself and making speeches. and charging the people an admttance hear him tell how loyal ana sell scrifcing they should be in the nation cI5ls' Anu the shock is not wholly absorbed when we learn that ,se s made of a spenddly patriotic local organization to give character and advertising to the vice presi- dential excursion.
 The question of what should be done with our eN presidents has ceased to disturb us These gentlemen by their ability courage, and patriotism nave ah- evered for themselves What should be done with our vice president is problem that calls for solutloh With the extraordinary demand that the war has made on inc services of the best the country, 1t seems that there should be something in Washington that he is fitted for-something better than talking patriotism and sacrifice to the people at 90 cents and a dollar head.
 Int why make such fuss about it if it be true th-t Mir Marshall in the course of his northwestern to,s did actually deliver lectures to which admission fees were attached? The duties of tho vice president are confined chiefly to the sessions of the senate which was then in vacation. There is only one con timing duty of the vice president that is to hold himself in readiness but not necessarily in idleness for the death, resignation or impeachment of the president
 His time when congress is not in session is his own, to be employed in any legitimate avocation. and inc practice and example of many eminent public servant have established beyond dispute the legitimacy of featuring.
 Mir Bryan, it is true some three years ago brought upon himself some criticism by frequent absences from his duties as secretary of state to appear before Chau- tauouas and other takfests for quid pro quo. But the public appeared to be satisfied when it learned that he was merely eking out existence by adding 70 his salary of s19,OOo which, by the way is exactly he same salary that paid distinguished fellow citizen.
 Mr. Bryan really neglected his duties which were of a continuous character And at that time they were peculiarly exactng. Mexico was in a turmoil and eggs were being laid in Europe which in due time were to produce in this country dreadful brood. If there was ever time when a secretary of state was needed constantly the job it was then. A proper and vigorous attention to the duties of that office hen might have turned aside present affctions
 As to Mr. Marshall, have already established the fact that in vacation his time is his to be
 
 pose he does deliver lectures to hear which people have to the gauntlet of box offices. is favor cd with distraction from the ,, 10 or 15 cent movies or the twent' thirt vaudeville A lecture to hear which one must pay 30 cents doler is apt to be worth while