The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-06-09
DEM CANDIDATE.
MAYEDGElN'TO.
PRESIDENCY.
BY HARRY 3. HUNT
NEA Service Writer

Washington, June 9.-"The DEM
ocrats, if they are wise, will put
the man they want to be president
in the second place on their ticket
provided, of course, that he is a
real, honest-to-John, outstanding,
progressive sort Of gent" u
Such is the suggestion of La
Toilette supporters, who believe
that if progressive Democrats play
the game shrewdly they will be
able, by getting their man on the
ticket as vice presidential candi-
date, to land him in the White
House on March 4, 1925! ~
Sounds rather absurd and fool
ish, doesn't it, But it's really a
very wise and astute proposal. And
there's absolutely no catch in it!
Follow. carefully and you'll find
how very simple it is.
With Democrats and Republicans
in neck and-neck race, third or
independent party which could
carry even four or five states
would, by preventing either old
party from obtaining majority of
the electors, throw the election in
to Congress.
That much is conceded and is
old stuff.
In which event the House of Rep
resentatives, voting by states, must
try to elect president and the
Senate, voting as individuals, bal
lots for vice president. =
With five of the 48 state delega-
tions tied as between Republicans
and Democrats, neither party holds
a clear majority, by states, in the
House, La Toilette also would be
able to control the vote of Wis
consin, recorded as Republican, and
perhaps of Minnesota and North
Dakota. A deadlock which could
be maintained indefinitely might
result there.
In the Senate, where the men,
bership votes as individuals, the
Democrats and La Toilette pro-
gressives hold, together, clear
majority. If the Democratic vice
presidential candidate was salts
factory to the La Toilette group,
there would be little delay in put
ting him across.
Suppose, then-since this is
purely a speculative story-March
4 arrives without the House having
selected president. =.
President Coolidge's term ex-
! pires at noon March 4. No success
sor, as such, has been chosen. What
happens a
A vice president, duly elected by
the Senate as provided by the con-
stitution, has been chosen.
And the vice president, in ever
a vacancy occurs in the presidency,
accedes to that office. Therefore
Up steps the man who has been
selected by the Senate as vice pres.
ident to take the tiller of the Ship
of State. Q. E. D:
Thus is the play figured, and
figured seriously. So seriously, in
fact, that actual discussion of a
Democratic vice presidential NOM
inee who would be satisfactory to
La Toilette, has been reached.
Huston Thompson, chairman of
the Federal Trade Commission,
stands out as the choice for the
proposed coalition candidate. 1t
is stated as authoritative that La
Toilette believes Thompson is the
future leader Of the progressive
movement in this country and
would throw his full support be-
hind him to land him in the presi-
dency. ..:
Should the Democrats name him
for second place on their ticket. he
will doubtless be found also enter
ed in second place on the La Fol
lette independent ticket. Which,
of course, would make the above
play logical and reasonable.
Still another move is suggested
which might land the long-legged
progressive from Colorado in the
White House.
Should the Democrats see their
way clear to nominate him outright
for president, La Toilette would
| help put him across by keeping
out of the race himself.