Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-04
PRES|DENT-ELECT
IS SURPRISED BY
GREAT MAJORITY
Mounting Figures Far Ex-
ceed FOndest Hopes of
Mr.. Harding.
DOES NOT REGARD VICTORY
AS PERSONAL TRIUMPH
Accepts Election Primarily as
Decision of Country on
League of Nations Issue.
COX CONGRATULATEs WINNER
Defeated Candidate Tenders Good
Wishes In the Spirit OF
America.
COX CoNGRATULATEs WINNER
Defeated Candidate Tenders Good
Wishes In the Spirit OF
America.
ny Asrpciated pross.l

8. Harding spen; his first day as
l'resident-eicct resting from the
tension OF election night and review
ing late returns. with particular
attention to the makeup of the
six,y-sevcnth Congress-.
lie expressed keen pleasure as
the growing figures confirmed Re-
publican gain In both senate ana
House. for ho had told hls friends
that his greatest apprehension over
the outcome had not been n fear OF
defeat for himself so much az a
realization that as chief executive
Ills hands might be tied by lack Of
working party majority In the leg
!slatirc branch.
His interest throughout the last
weeks OF the campaign turned spcc!-
Ideally to the senatorial situation,
and II was known In the ins:de
circles Of the party that 1, was 10
aid Republican senatorial ca ndIda;es
more than for any other cause that
he left his front porch and made u
swing around the circle OF states
where the presen. narrow Senate
majority was receiving its hcavles:
attacks.
Majority hmnzcs Him.
AS for iis own fortunes. he said.
today that he never had been IN
doubt for "a moment from the time
OF his nomination. He did voice sur
prise nt the tremendous majoritics
ciled up FOR him. however. declaring
The result had far exceeded his fond
est hopes. -
Mr.. Harding WAS not inclined to
regard the triumph az personal
one. AS he told many OF his audi
encra during the campaign. his feel
ing, ne gid. was that the decision
wouid :aic on Issues rather
than cei,e.lAtes. and tha; the league
of nations and the record OF the
Wilson Administration at home were
the determining factors.
The avalanche OF conEratulatory
messages addressed to the President
eject and Mrs. Harding Increased In
r!oporiions today. many prominent
Democrats being Numbered among
nose who sent their good wishes.
Ihe defeated Democratic nominee.
Governor Cox. sen, brief telegram
accepting the result. and the Scna-
tor. in still briefer message thanked
him. W:ien Mr. Harding looked in
at his office nt the end OF the after
room no word had yet been received
from President Wilson.
Cabinet Gossip Continues.
Now that the political complexion
of the next administration Is known
definitely gossip abont Cabinet Sc
'ccttons Is reviving and enough
names to fill dozen Cabinets are
being mentioned in current rumors
as likeiy timber for the official
circle OF Harding. Both Mr.. Hard
ing and his close advisers have indi
Gated. however. that all OF these fore
casts are purely speculative, and
mat the question of choosing a Cab
met is ono yet TO be taken up.
In this undercurrent OF speculation,
which apparently is without sane
ton. OF authority. the names heard
1ftenest as possible cabinet officials
include those OF Elihu Root, Philan-
"Hr c. Knox. Henry Cabot Lodge.
Iharles Evans Hughes, Herbert
Hoover. Major-General Leonard
wood. Governor Frank o. Lowden.
Io"ncr Senator John w. Weeks.
larry NJ. Daugherty and many 9TH
ct'' Besides cabinet officials Mr..
tardins VIII have all army OF other
federal appointecs to select-a fact
Hhich was brought to his realization
"ith new force today as the petitions
q olhce'seekers began to pile into
HIS oiiice in full swing. His friends
aeciare II is partially te-avoid such
annoyances during period OF rest
that he will leave Saturday for =
months trip to Point Isabel, Texas.
and the Panama canal zone.
Route Is Undetermined.
Whether the President and his
party will sail for The canal zone
from New Orleans or some other
point Is question yet to be deter
mined. previous plan to go by way
"f the Louisiana city having been re-
considered because of tho time re-
Gllred by that route. It Is possible
ihat one Of the regular passenger
Gamers running through the Gulf
VII be diverted to permit him TO
hoard 1t along the Texas coast.
Mr.. Harding parted formally with
!iis privileges as n private citizen to-
Gay with arrival or the advance
guard OF the secret service detail that
VII go with him every where until
ehe end OF his presidency.
Joseph Murphy. assistant chief of
TIC service and formerly in charge
Of. the White House detail. came
here to make the detailed arrange
inents and spent tho day in consulta-
ltion with James Sloan, another for
NOR White House chief who left the
sorylce last Juno to accept private
post as Mr. Harding's, personal body.
guard during tho campaign.
In the exchange of kilograms today
tcontinped On yo1flh Page Z d