The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-08-13
SENATOR HARDING IN MARION
A Day With the Candidate in His Home Town
BY ARTHUR CAPPER
United Senator from Kansas

Jettlng OH the tram al MdIiOH,
asked small newsboy where Senator
Harding lived. 1t wasn't far, and he
wanted to take me there. I'm strong
for Harding" he said, apparently
thinking that as stranger ! should
early be made acquainted with Marion
sentiment, "and Mrs. Harding; she's
great" saw only one house in
Marion which did not have at least
one Harding picture displayed. That
was the home of its Democratic post
master He wanted to put one up, l
was told, but didn't quite have the
nerve.
The Republican candidate for
president had invited Henry Wallace,
of Wallace's Farmer, and myself to
spend the day with him. He wished
to talk over the agricultural needs
and viewpoint of the central west.
My own belief is that what informa-
ton we supplied was largely a con-
firmation of what Senator Harding al
ready knew and appreciated. We
found he had wonderful grasp of
farming problems; that he fully real
ICES the need of the best thought and
attention the nation can give will be
required to solve them. During our
conversation he strongly approved the
cooperative movement. He is thor
oughly convinced that farmers must
organize in this way to advance the
interest of agriculture, and that their
organizations must have and are en-
titled to have the active cooperation
and support of the government.
They're Crazy About Harding.
Marion apparently is crazy about
Harding" The thing that impressed
me was that Marion's pride in its
foremost citizen really was pride in
\ and affection for Harding himself and
was entirely disassociated from the
kind of town pride that plumes itself
over possessing distinguished citi-
zen. Marion has known Harding for
so years. He has been an important
factor in building up its industries, in
formulating its ideas and ideals. Not
much wonder then that campaign
picture of him is now displayed by
every Marion home or place of bust
ness, except one Marion citizens have
erected large ornamental columns
along the entire length of the street
leading by the Harding home. Several
arcns span the street. The town talks
Harding all day
The Marion folk know Harding, be-
lieve in him, and are confident not
only of his success in the election, but
also are firm in the belief that he will
make good in the presidents chair
for the next eight years. In all my
experience never have found COM
inunity more thoroughly impressed
with the personality of one man.
A Harding Is Genuine.
II is not that Harding is brilliant.
His friends do not claim that. But
that the NHardings are genuine. l say
''the, Hardings," for Mrs. Harding
shares the esteem in which Senator
Harding is held, as the newsboy tried
to tell me. Marion has found them
genuine in their interest in people, in
their ability to do things; genuine in
the grasp of big ideas. They are real
persons-rea1 people we would say in
Kansas--and Marion ought to know
after an acquaintanceship of more
than quarter of a century.
Mrs. Harding, by the way, is won
derful woman; wholesome, sensible
level-headed, really democratic, and
charming. She is natural, and hu-
man, and in my judgment will be one
Oh the HiOSt popular WOilcIl tIldt cVCI
graced the White House. She is a
staunch Methodist. The senator is a
Baptist and trustee of the Marion
Baptist church. Marion people told
me the Hardings nearly always attend
the Baptist church. Last Sunday
however, they went to the Methodist
church. And Il accepted their invita-.
ton to accompany them. After the
service there was half-hour perioe
of handshaking.
Don't Live in "Show Place"
The Hardings do not live in ths
SHOW place" of Marion. That be
longs to a manufacturer. The ownel
recently offered them the use of thi!
near-palace for the campaign, blu
they prefer to remain in their owr
unpretentious but comfortable home
The home of the senators privat,
secretary, next door, has been con
verted into campaign headquarters