Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-30
Harding Speaks Out

HIS is season of perfunctory as we'll as
serious candidates. for the presidency
Many self-esteemed gentlemen feeling them
selves equipped to fill the highest office in
the world are parading forth as pre-eminent
possibilities Nor is this sort of thing to be
discouraged. 1t is high compliment to be
considered by ones fellow countrymen as
even remotely fitted to function as President
of the republic. Moreover, there are prac-
teal reasons why the favored sons Of ndi-
vidual States should be pressed to the fore
front in prc-convention days They serve to
prevent any individual aspirant from run
ning away with the field and make it far
easier for the real party bosses to sit down
quietly at the proper time, and do the
selecting
Senator Harding, OF Ohio, one OF the
stanchest Of the ''stalwarts" has been an
aVowed candidate for the presidency for
many weeks. He has let it be known that
he expected to be seriously considered when
inc chicago convention sits and has insisted
'hat ne VIII be loyalty and vigorously sup
ported by the united delegation from his own
o.a'e whether he has any following from
elsewhere or not
But it appears that the Leonard Wood forces
nave tailed to take the Harding candidacy
at 1ull face value They have looked upon
II us perfunctory sort of thing as an
enort on the part of leading Ohioians to pay
handsome personal tribute to their Senator
ana as quiet but effective effort on the part
OF certain old-line Republican leaders to tie
the Ohio delegation up until such time as il
might be delivered to a machine made can
didate
with this in mind the Wood people decided
10 go into Ohio with their campaign: to
make friendly deal with Mr. Harding.
whereby he should be the first choice of tho
ONO Republicans. with General Wood as the
second choice. This would give the Wood
candidacy second mortgage upon this very
Important state and would not interfere in
any degree with the compliment which the
ohloians might wish to visit upon their own
son.
with much indignation. however, the Sen
alor rcpudiates this netarious scheme He
wants the Wood people TO know that he &c
not pohtical igurehead; that lie will not
accept the perfunctory support OF the dele
gates from his home State; that he either is
Ivy per cent candidate or no candidate
~ ali' ana mat he will fight to the end for
'"e "hoic-hearted support OF Ohio
Also the Senator challenges the Wood
carnpaigners to meet him in Ohio. He will
make no terms with them He will ask M
puarter ana VIII give none He is willing
INA. the name OF the general appear OH the
preferential ballot along with his own. and
.n"t ONO Republicans be called upon to
choose between them He wants no second
choice. II Wood wins, then Harding stems
ASIDE II Harding wins, then Wood l. ~
nave no lien whatever upon the Ohio dele
cation. ' "e'e
All ms sounds straight. 1t rings true. II
places Mr. Harding in much moro f,rorl
aoie iight before the country. He has now
become virile, vigorous and PROMISING
potehtiality. If he captures the delegation
from his own State on that basis he must
ne reasoned with If he loses it, he is out
VI 'he running and ought 10 be. The Senator
10 De applauded for the pride which ba
exhibits in his answer to the WOOD - o