The New York herald., 1920-01-03
By WILLIAM H. TAFT.
Copyright, f920.bv the PhilodeIphio Pub
10 Ledger Co. All Rights Rcseyved.l


Kc Ledger Co. All Rights Reseyved.l
Besides General Wood. Governor Lowden
and Senator Harding in the race for the
Republican nomination at Chicago. some
six other names should be considered.
There are three candidates who are
avowed opponents Of treaty and league
ratification and who would make their
campaign on that issue. These are Sem
ator Johnson. OF California; Senator Poin-
dexter, Of Washington. and Senator Borah,
Of Idaho. 1t should be said in fairness
to the latter that he has declared in favor
Of Mr. johnson, but he is suggested so
often as candidate himself that he must
be mentioned.
Senator Johnson will have the California
delegation behind him. That has already
been agreed upon by all the factions In
the Republican party Of that State. With
his radical proclivities, Senator johnson
will cervsaly secure delegates from the
States IN >snich the former Roosevelt sup
porters have radical tendencies 1t Is a
question how responsible the coming Re-
publican convention will hold Mr.. Johnson
for the defeat of tho party candidate. Mr.
Hughes. in 1915. But in such cases politi-
clans are forgetful and forgiving. The
Senator has q very strong following in
his own State, due to his fight against the
Southern Pacific Railroad grip. his accept.
able administration Of the State govern
rnent, his strong personality and his power
of enthusia iasm-creating speech. He is in
public estimate accorded the power to
throw California for or against his party
ticket
This viii give him certain strength In
the convention. not so much for his own
candidacy as against that Of others. But
the Republicans Of the State have shown
very great dissent from his attitude in
respect to the League. He is very popular
with all avowed and intense opponents Of
the League. as was shown by his speak
ing trip trailing the President. The ef-
aective strength this would give him in
a. Republican convention with the treaty
and League ratified is more doubtful.
However, should Senator Lodge and his
colleagues OF the Foreign Relations Com
rnittee succeed in forcing the anti-League
issue upon the Republican party in 1870,
Senator Johngon's prospect for the nomi-
nation would be greatly enhanced.
Senator Poindexter has had long and
varied legislative experience in the ma
tional House and Senate. He has taken
pronounced attitude against the tyranny
Of I. w. W.ism and labor unionism and
makes that his chief slogan. He is also
greatly opposed to the treaty and insists
that it is un-American and unconstitution-
al for Us to enter the League. Without
being invidious, one may fairly say
that his chances for the Republican nom
ination are not proportioned to his ac-
tivities in seeking 1t. 1t may be that
Washington State has declared for him,
but where the rest Of his strength Is to
come from Is not yet apparent.
Coolidge and Butler.
Other candidates there are, but the only
nor Coolidge, Of Massachusetts,, and Presi-
dent Nicholas Murray Butler. Of New
York Governor Coolidge was born in ver-
mont, and Is what they describe in that
State as "a safe man" He 10 a lawyer
who has devoted much time to the State.
He was most useful legislator and has
made an admirable Governor Of Massachu.
setts. He Is o man Of few words. but Of
wise. courageous action. In considering
sentence in an address he was heard to say
as he ran his pen through II, IT don't re-
member to have been hurt by anything
/ didn't say" He has in his brevity a
singularly trenchant and epigrammatic
way OF putting things His courage and
effectiveness in meeting the issue pre-
sented by the police strike In Boston and
Its deplorable sequel and his reply to Mr..
Gompers touched a chord to which the
daA haro WA ~
once the protagonist of the cause of the
supremacy of law and order, and in the
threatening situation he has become
national figure. Massac sachusetts is evidently
proud Of him and will present him for the
nomination.
Nicholas Murray Butler, for years and
now the head Of our greatest university In
point OF numbers. is one OF the educational
leaders OF the country. At the Same time
he has been wheel horse of the Republ-
can party, and has had much TO do with
shaping its policies in national conventions
which he has attended for a quarter OF
century. He was the party's candidate for
Vice President In 1912 in place Of Mr.. Sher-
man, who-died during the campaign. He
is a broad man of affairs, not reaction
airy, but conservative man of progress.
He has had much to do with guiding the
course pursued in making the millions left
by Mr. Carnegie useful 10 the world. He
Is an able publcist and orator and has
formulated successfully the proper posi-
ton Of the party on many issues. The
example Of taking Mr.. Wilson as a candi-
date makes q precedent which the friends
and admirers OF Mr.. Butler propose should
be followed.
The only other name for possible ccnsd-
GRAFTON is that Of one who is not a can
didate. but is the peer Of any Of those who
are candidates In his qualifications for the
office. That Is Governor Hughes. At the
cali Of the party he sacrificed the place
OF his choice on the Bench. which he was
most reluctant to iAave. In the minds OF
many OF his friends the query arises why.
now that party victory is reasonably GER.
tain. nc should not be summoned to lead.
erahip and q just party reward as a loyal
Republican OF wide vision, great abilities
and experience.
None with Majority.
From the list named above and In Thurs-
days article the successful Republican
nominee certainly will be hcosen. One
would be bold indeed who ventured q
prophecy as 10 who of them he will be.
Tn the outset II looked as II General Wood
wtvn,.1H hss,> t,,k YttIn cornpetftfor,. and fbfl