Evening star., 1919-03-30
DILEMMA OF THE GO. +.
NO SUBJECT FOR JEST
Lack of Outstanding Presidential Timber a
Mighty Serious Thing, as Polltl-
clans View It,
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

BY N. o. MESSENGER.
'NHIS is serious now-no chance
for airy persihage here, no
gleam of humor, mighty lit
tie of what the copy desk
calls ''human interest stuff" in
q chapter devoted to republican
presidential possibilities. Afraid it's
going to be deadly dull, SO be on
your way unless you are prepared
to feel wise and owlish and power
fully interested in politics.
Really, though, it is something of
a shame to speak disrespectfully and
chafingly of a subject SO painfully
serious and profoundly important to
the republicans, this contemplation of
the field of potential candidates for
the presidential nomination in 1920
Fastening to explain that it implies
no disrespect to the several eminent
gentlemen whose names are men
toned, let 1t be added that the near
jeers are directed at the perplexity
of the rank and file of the lesser re-
publicans, the big and small and
would-be bosses who so gravely
ponder and discuss with each other
the dificulties in the way of select
ing a candidate and their troubles
in Framing up the 1920 game.
The memory comes cantering up, as
Alfred Henry Lewis used to say,
with no recollection of ary similar
episode in the history of the repub-
.lican party. Harking back upon the
trail of presidential campaigns. the
camp fires of none can be found
where there was not more presi-
DENTAL timber in sight and close at
hand. Whenever before, so close to
the preliminaries of a battle for the
presidency. were there not more
tacitly avowed, sometimes openly an
nounced candidates for the nomina-
tion? Usually, by this time. the gen
tlemanly agents of candidates were
ut work down south, lining up pros
pective delegates.
Il
To be sure, one hears reports of al
legged activities in behalf Of certain
Giving Gen. Pershing s sioilities.
the "Once-0ver." them come
under the Interesting il true clas-
'stncation. For instance. there 10 one
That Prank H. Hitchcock, whose smoke
Il has .lways been ws3a To- .felleNo11
the eve OF presidsntia ~
% abroad giving Gen. Psrshihs|
the political once-over. with . view TO
determining his availability as can
didate. II Is assumed that II he fs 30
engaged. his first aim would be to as
certain II Gen. Pershing entertains the
presidential bee in his bonnet. and
next to establish his popularity with
the Army:
when Cen. Pershing's name comes
up. politicians generally ask two
questions about
Two Questions him:
Always Asked. American people
altogether IN a mood favorable to
distinctively military candidate for
President at time when the thought
OF the country is centered upon q
league OF nations and the abatement
Of mflitarism?
Second, outside Of the Regular Army
onscers and men. was Gen. Pershing
popular, and how did the National
Guard and drafted men regard him7
These questions are propounded by
politicians not in disparagement OF
Gen. Pershing, but sincerely, with
view to their bearing upon his availa-
bility as q winning candidate.
4
Tor President, Gen. Leonard Wood;
Tor Vice President. Gov. Goodrich of
Indiana.
Wood Goodrich This is the
the Newest Slate. ton Of any
Sninx like a. slate which has been
heard In political circles. 1t is said to
be a slate in fact One phase Of the
xumor, gossip or whatever term Ii
applicable to the report has It that
Chairman VIII Hays of the republican
national committee is back OF it. Bear
IN mind. now, that all herein present.
cd Ia fust an echo of the talk that is
going around among the politicians.
None Of It is vouched for nor even
vested with such scant clothing of
crederce a. "it is said in authoritative
uuarters." The fact that win Hays
ana Gov. Goodrich are both from In
diana might have been all that was
necessary to equip the suggestion
With spurs and mount it to ride forth.
Tho business of the national chair
man il to elect a President, not to
nominate him." Will Hays said in
washington a few days ago.
Well. as was about to say. the
Argument in favor of Gen. Woods
candidacy most frequently heard is
that he was badly treated by the ad-
ministration in the war assignments
and L. an object of sympathy; that he
Il a friend and might be taken as the
political heir of Roosevelt: that he is
acceptable as possessing executive
ability, and that he is persona grata
fo the militia OF course. the same
objection as to a militaristic candi-
dste urged against Pershing is being
--,G~A %n hin,