Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-18

men on the Republican nominees
by William HoWord Taft is token
from copyrighted editorial in this
mornings Public Ledger.
THE nomination of Senator Harding
at Chicago was happy outcome o.
doubtful and difficult situation. Men
who knew General Wood and Governor
Lowden knew that the charge that they
countenanced in any way the improper
use Of money in their campaigns was
wholly unwarranted. Yet the inevita
BILE tendency Of the presidential pri-
mary system was to bring about dc
mand for large amounts Of money to
organize their canvasscs and give them
due publicity. They were made rcspon
sible for the acts of their representa-
tives. however unauthorized.
The body of the delegates as whole
resented the use Of the Senate probe
committee as mere political instru
ment for the benefit of one candidate.
MIR. Harding was nominated by the
delegates of the convention as the best
man to be taken In the interests of
the party, in view of all the circum
stances. The convention was not a
boss ridden convention. There wore
those who attempted to make il go
but failed.
senator Harding is modest man
he did not seek the presidential nom .
nation. He was content to be senator
de indicated a desire not to enter thr
race, but his Ohio friends and otbars
who deprecated General Wood 8 secnrino
the prize by default urged him to enter
the lists.
Most hesitatingly he did so, and what
he wrote in his letter Announcing his
candidacy and his reluctance in doing
so was only the literal truth. When
however, 1t was sought to have him con
sent TO a mere favorite- son support
from Ohio. with Wood as its second
cn0lce' ne resented the proposal and
Dld ms oppohrntS 40 their worst in op
Mr.. Wilson. his methods and his reN
suits are lin the last analysis" AS Mr.
Cannon would say. responsible for Mr.
Harding y nomination.
MIR. wilson's autOCratic rule of his
party and the country, his exClusivenoss
his refusal to consult or to be informed
his intense personal and party partisan :
ship in the presence of national
exigency that should have comnelIed
him to open his arms and TO take to his
aid Republicans, his ungrateful and m :
just depreciation of the PATRIOTISM nj
Republicans who, forgetting party. held
up his hands in every way possible
during the war-all these things turned
the Republican delegates by contra st
toward a regular Republican who knows
enough to know that he dc,~ not know
everything, who respects the opinions
of others and does not make nm hiS
mind in absence of needed consultation
who is SO constituted that arbitrarv
methods are impossible with him md
who believes that the machinery of gov
ernment cannot fulfill its purpose nm -
less the various co operating agencies
properly defer to one another by ron =
sonable consideration Of differences md
by concession.
Senator Harding is man of m,cb
experience in public affairs. As ionr.
nalst he has had the responsibility nf
forming and expressing opinion on ali
current issues. He is clear Think
an able writer and speaker and n cnre .
ful student of public questions. Hn hos
made himself. No fortuitous circum >
stances haye aided him in his progress
The writer can testify to the tenacitv
Of his loyalty when it cost. lie does no.,
seek controversy. lie believes in tho
softer method OF accomplishment, nc
Mckinley did but one of the common
errors is to suppose that a man who is
genial and anxious to accommodate lacks
in will power and grit when occasion
requires.
The political cry Of the Democratic
press that Senator Harding will be n
puppet in the hands of a dominant
group of senator's has NO foundation
whatever. He will be President. lie