The Washington herald., 1914-07-12
Smith, PRESIDENT
OF U.s., why NOT?
William Alden, Senator from
Michigan, Suggested for
White House.
r BEEN DEFEATED
Towley Makes Novel Suggestion
to c. o. P. Leaders in
New York
FRANCIS b. GEssNER.


'ork. July u.-why not a candi-
President named Smith?
aimed for the Waldorf roof gar
rie of wise men TO ask the ques-
add that it might be good poll
the Republicans to select the
pient Smith in their list Of elig-
ibies and put him forward first TO pre-
vent the terrors of another Roosevelt
nomination and then TO elect him with
the aid Of every other Smith Of voting
age on the hemisphere. It was remarked
as odd that no Smith has ever been
nominated for President by either great
party, although many Smiths have held
high places in Senate, Cabinet and party
organization. Away back in 1876, Gov.
Clay Smith. of Kentucky, was a Pro
hIbition candidate for President, but that
didn't count. II occurred to the Hon.
r. B. How1ey long eminent in the Re
publican organization Of Texas and noted
as the lone Republican member OF Con-
gress from the Lone Star State. as we
discussed the Smith suggestion on the
waldorf roof last night to suggest that
possibly Senator William Alden Smith, of
Michigan, was the most eminent states
man Of the name and Of Presidential size
now in public life and on the Republican
side with no progressive frills.
he Hon. Howley did not presume to
n suggest the Michigan Senator as a
didate for the nomination nor indi-
ed any personal preference for the
nent statesman from Grand Rapids
observation Of Howley was only that
candidate named Smith is desired
Michigan man comes nearer meas
ig UP to Presidential qualifications
a any other Smith now active and
11inent in the Republican organiza-
= The distinguished Texan did not
! indicate that he would favor the
th ambition. but he could not refrain
4 remarking that the Hon. William
IN had never yet been defeated in
les, which is more than can be said
many distinguished citizens who have
bed the White House.
was recalled that the great Lincoln
defeated for Senator in his campaign
Tst Douglas .and Mckinley lost an
ion. TO Congress before he became
1overnor Of Ohio Benjamin Harrison,
;statesmanship and ability has been
appreciated since his defeat for a
term than when he was President,
Ieteated for governor and for a sec
Senatorial term.
ssveIt was defeated for mayor of
York long before he dreamed Of
ing the White House. The Michigan
or could go into a PRESIDENTIAL cam
with a record Of successive VIC
and no defeats since he first be-
olitiCal operations in Michigan.
Record: Never Mind:
lIling attention to the Smith record
he general level nsdde6uesS- Of the
vas about as far as the Hon How
as inclined to 60 in suggesting
as a possible Presidential figure
Others rool- "a
Uton, however, adding more than
regarding the personal quaifca-
and the business ability of William
remarking. Jco, that it has never
the inclination Of either Repub-
or Democrats TO name an actual
IS man for President
has ever been a reaching out for
rell binder. the legislator. or the
and usually for a poor man.
was probably the richest man ever
by the Republicans for President
wealth was used as an argument
him.
financial distress of both Grant and
ley is well recalled. Harrison was
but made more as lawyer after
the White House than he would
ave made had he remained a pri-
itiZen. Taft never made any pre-
II being a business man, and Cleve-
hoUgh counted rich when he died,
appy with a modest compete8Sa
he was first chosen governor ana
resident