Thomas R. Marshall

Thomas Riley Marshall (March 14, 1854 – June 1, 1925) was an American politician who served as the twenty-eighth Vice President of the United States of America under Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1921.

Vice Presidency

At the 1912 Democratic convention in Baltimore, Marshall's name was put in as Indiana's choice for President. For a time it looked as if Marshall might actually end up as a compromise nominee, but ultimately William Jennings Bryan agreed to endorse Woodrow Wilson; Indiana's delegates successfully lobbied to have Marshall named Vice President. He was elected on the Wilson ticket in 1912, was reelected in 1916 and served as Vice President until 1921. It is said that Marshall initially turned down the nomination, assuming the job would be boring. Marshall is currently the last governor to serve two full terms as Vice President.

Related Topics:
1912 - Baltimore - William Jennings Bryan - 1916 - 1921

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Marshall was not particularly fond of Wilson, and though Wilson invited Marshall to cabinet meetings his ideas were rarely considered. In 1913 Wilson took the then unheard of step of meeting personally with members of the Senate in the Capitol building. Before this, Presidents had made a habit of using the Vice President (who serves as President of the Senate) as a go-between with the Senate; Wilson took advantage of the opportunity to show that he had no intention of trusting Marshall with delicate business. Since that time presidents have rarely relied on their VPs in dealing with the Senate.

Related Topics:
1913 - Capitol

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As Marshall made little news and was viewed as something of a comic foil in Washington, a number of Democratic party insiders wanted him dumped from the 1916 ticket. Wilson, after deliberating, ultimately decided that it would demonstrate party unity if he kept Marshall on; thus in 1916 Wilson and Marshall became the first President and Vice President team to be re-elected since Monroe and Tompkins in the 1820s.

Related Topics:
1916 - Monroe - Tompkins

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During his second term, Marshall saw the United States enter World War I. Wilson sent him out on the road, speaking across the country to encourage Americans to buy war bonds and support the war effort. This was a job to which Marshall was well suited; he had been earning extra money as a public speaker while Vice President. Also in his second term Marshall became the first Vice President to conduct cabinet meetings; Wilson left him with this responsibility while travelling in Europe to sign the Versailles treaty and push his League of Nations idea.

Related Topics:
World War I - War bonds - Public speaker - Cabinet - Europe - Versailles treaty - League of Nations

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After suffering a more mild one the previous month, on October 2, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a severe stroke that left him partially paralyzed and almost certainly incapacitated. Though Marshall was advised that the President had suffered an infirmity and despite the requests of many to do so, Marshall did not attempt to become the first Acting President of the United States. The process for declaring a President incapacitated was unclear, and Marshall was fearful of the precedent that might be set in establishing one. While Marshall would perform ceremonial functions for the remainder of Wilson's term, he would not have opportunity to meet with Wilson to ascertain his condition until their final day in office.

Related Topics:
October 2 - 1919 - Woodrow Wilson - Stroke - Acting President - President

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