The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-11-03
Next President Began
Life on Farm and Won
Fame in Public Life

- ~OSSS ASs -
he had sprung into fame by the Mar
tel speech the committee insisted that
Harding be placed on the program.
and. with some urging. he was finally
prevailed upon TO make a speech.
Harding was introduced, and after
losing his shyness at the size OF the
crowd. launched into his speech with
a fire that electrified his hearers.
One old Lincoln Republican became
80 enthused over the young man. that
he rushed up to Harding after he had
completed his talk and exclaimed,
keep II up. young man. and some
of these days you will be President
OF the United States!"
His political life began In 1890
when he was elected to the State SEN
ate from the thirteenth Ohio district
In 1908 he was elected lieutenant
governor OF Ohio and was elected TO
the United States Senate In 1914.
SO reluctant was Harding to be-
come a candidate that he took occa
sion to absent himself from the State
two months. He went to Texas
where. as the guest of former Mar
ion friend. he was taken on a camp
ing and hunting expedition. But the
opportunities followed him south and
persisted after his return until his
consent was finally secured.
, II Is a matter OF interesting poiiti.
cal history that while he triumphed
over Foraker in q very substantial
plurality, yet the heat OF the cam.
paign In no way marred the splendid
friendship which existed between
Harding and Foraker-and which
continued to exist as long as Foraker
lived.
WINS BY BIG MAJORITY.
In the election he won over his
Democratic opponent by over 1O2.OOl
votes.
A rather interesting narrative Is re
lated OF Harding in connection with
his Int reduction OF Foraker at po
ifticaT Tally In 1900 over at Bellefon
taine,1 Ohio. Harding. as chairman OF
the meeting. presented Foraker, ther
governor of Ohio, in a very spirited
ten-minute speech. Seated just In
front Of the stage and looking up in.
tently at Harding was an old ground
In the-faith Republican of Scotch,
Irish parentage.. After the meeting
was over the old chap. grasping Hard
ing by the hand, 'wrung 1t with genu'
inc warmth. exclaiming: young man
II had your gift Of CAB ! wouldn't BE-
so shy about IT." -. - <
ALWAYS A REPyBLlCAN.g =
One boast that Senator Harding
makes Is that he has always been O
Republican. II was he who pres ted
the name OF President Taft for re
nomination at the Chicago convention
in 1912--the most turbulent CONVEX
ton in the annals of Repubiicanism
Four years ago he was chosen chair
man of the Republican national con.
vention and delivered the keynote ad'
dress. He presided over the conven
ton with poise. showing himself ar
able parliamentarian, .
II ERIxafD OF ROOSEVELT. -
The,scQu3intance Of Roosevelt and
Harding wax 1atgely one OF perfumes
toriness prior to the Republican ma
tional convention of 1916. 1t was after
the convention, when Harding a!
chairman of the notification commit
tee, by reason of having presided a:
chairman Of the national convention
went with his committee to New York
to officially notify Justice Hughe:
of his nomination for President. tina,
Roosevelt and Harding really be-
came acquainted. While they met oc
casionally during the campaign, yet
il was not until after the election, re-
sulting in Hughes defeat, that the
closer intimacy arose.
Roosevelt, particularly during the
prewar period, spent much of his
time in Washington, during which ne
was present at many meetings called
for the purpose of discussing the kind
OF policy that should be pursued by
the Republican members of the new
Congress. Thus meeting the Repub.
lican Senator's gave him the opportu
nifty of applying the plumb, bob and
level to the Ohio Senator's states
welt not only formed a sincere liking
for Harding. but a profound convic
ton for his capabilities as q leader
So much was he impressed with
Harding's ability and the respect his
colleagues entertained for his views
on public questions that 1t was Hard
ing to whom Roosevelt turned for the
drafting and introduction of al
amendment to the army reorganiza.
ton bill, which measure provided fol-
selective service and made possible
the creation of the great American
army overseas. The amendment
known as the Roosevelt amendment,
to the military bill for the enlarge
ment OF the forces for the world war
authorized the President to create not
more than two divisions of volun-
teers for immediate service In France
The acquaintanceship, begun in fact
in 1915 between Roosevelt and Hard.
Ing, had ripened in the last year OF
the cofonel's life into n strong friend.
ship. Particularly during that last
year IL was known by many OF the
Senator's close friends that Roose.
welt frequently talked with Harding
about the probabilities of the latter's
for PRESIDENT; yet Senator
Harding Is not one who would con.
sent to the making of a posthumous
claim to Roosevelt's encouragement,
on that account.
+ IS A FORCEFUL SPEAKER.
Senator Harding Is forcefu'
speaker. His voice Is mellow and hal
remarkable carrying powers. He has
a winning manner, which assures him
a Hearing at all times. In the worlo
-