The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-06-14
Republican ,ldidates Haze
Both Had lNuehP Public Service

Calvin Coolidge Of Northampton,
Mass, although in pubic Life IN his
adopted STATE almost ever since his
graduation from Amherst College IN
1895, vas little known outside Of
Massachusetts until part Of the police
force Of Boston went on strike IN
September, 1913. Coolidge was gov
ernor Of the state. He ordered out the
state guard 10 patrol the streets OF
Boston after night OF rioting, an
nounced that law and order would be
preserved and declared that the
strikers were deserters and declared
their places would be filled by other
men.
The strikers never regained their
positions. Troops maintained order
for several weeks and a new police
force was recruited. The stand taken
by the governor carried his name TO
all parts OF the country and In his
own state he was promptly nick
named Flaw and order Coolidge"
As the presidenha. campaign OF
1926 approached his admirers tried 10
induce him TO become an active can
didate for the republican nomination
for president. They had gone so lar
as to open headquarters for him IN
washington and Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge had offered TO present ais
name 10 the national convention II
the governor so desired, when he an
nounced publicly that he was not z
candidate and that he considered tnat
while be was governor his job was at
The state house. The headquarters
was closed, but the majority Of the
MASSACHUSETTS delegates went 10
Chicago with the declared intention
Of voting for him, at least on the first
ballot.
Calvin Coolidge was born on a farm
in The little village Of Plymouth, Yer
mont, on July 4, 1872. His father. IN
addition to carrying on the farm was
the village store keeper. Coolidges
ancestors from the time John Cooi.
idge settled In Watertown, Mass, IN
1880, we're all farmers. Young Calvin
worked on the farm and in the store
and attended the village school. Then
he progressed in his education IN
academies in the Vermont towns OF
Ludlow and St. Johnsbury, and his
father sent him to Amherst College
Al The commencement exercises In
the year Of his graduation from col
lege he was one Of the class orators.
Coolidge next studied law In the OF.
flee Of a law firm in Northampton 10
such good effect that after twenty
months digging at the law books he
was admitted to the bar. He opened
a law office in the same city and con.
tinued to practice there until his pub
lie duties occupied all his time. His
first public office was member Of
the Northampton city council in 1899.
SucceSsively he was city solicitor.
county clerk, state representative for
two years, mayor for two years, state
senator for four years, the last two
serving as president Of the senate,
and acknowledgement for three
years.
In 1918. he was nominated by the
republicans without opposition for
governor and was elected by plurali-
ty OF about 1900. He was renomlnat-
ed in 1918, and aided by the prestige
gained through his relation to the
Boston police strike. was reelected
BY a plurality Of more than $4,000
and received the largest total vote
ever cast for a governor in Mass
achusetts.
Governor Coolidge was married In
1905 10 Miss Grace A. Goodhue, OF
Burlington. Vermont. Their two chill
dren are both boys. When he was