100 years ago in Spokane: Vice president says ‘no can prophecy’ the Western vote in coming election

U.S. Vice President Thomas Riley Marshall visited Spokane for one hour, while on a train to Glacier National Park, but he had time to talk extensively to reporters from the station platform.

He was planning to campaign strenuously for the Democratic nominee James M. Cox, but he admitted that neither he nor anyone else knew how the West was going to vote in 1920.

“In the West, all the Democrats say that Governor Cox is going to be elected president and the Republicans say he is not; no one can prophecy what the West will do in the coming election – that’s what I like about the West,” said Marshall. “I thought at Portland that Democrats were quite enthusiastic about our ticket. I am sure we will win. We will carry Indiana and Ohio.”

When he was asked about the health of President Woodrow Wilson, he gave a surprising answer.

“I have not seen President Wilson for a year,” he said. “The last time I saw him was when he came west. The only information I have about the condition of the president is what I read in the papers.”

When asked when he would begin campaigning for Cox, Mrs. Marshall broke in and said, “Personally I am only concerned with when we eat. I am nearly starved. Let’s hurry up.”

They were waiting for the dining car to be added to the train.

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(From the Associated Press)

1971: The Apollo 15 moon mission ended successfully as its command module splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.