Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-13
Mr.. Hoover and the Presidency


n is undoubtedly true that Herbert Hoover
is not candidate for the presidency in the
sense that Hiram Johnson is candidate, or
Leonard Wood Warren Harding. He is not
asking the favor Of any political party. He
is no: seeking delegates or delegations. He
has organized no campaign committee. He
is not spending either time or money in an
effort to attract IL following. He has not
even declared himself Il Democrat or IL Re
publican Socialist.
But Mr.. Hoover is no less in the running
His friends arc grooming him with enthu-
stasm and effect for the nomination. He
himself fails TO state that he would reject
party nomination, if one were offered to
him. He has not repudiated the efforts
winch are being made to Impress his avail
ability and his qualifications upon the Amer
lean people. He merely announces that he
IS not II candidate, which ho doubtless means.
y careful study OF his statement however,
leaves the distinct impression that he is lean
ing at last decidedly toward the Democratic
party i'll this situation and while lie does not
brand himself as Democrat he at least
disavoWs any prediction for the Republic
can party and. very pointodly rcbukes julius
Barnes. his personal friend for having under
taken TO classify him as progressive Re
publican.
After careful consideration Of all that has
been SAID on the subject Of presidential poll
ties by Hoover or about Hoover. the average
lnan naturally concludes, first, that Mr.
Hoover is receptive aSpirant for the nom-
nation; that his friends and no doubt he him
sen would prefer 10 have him nominated by
the Republicans at Chicago; that il has now
become apparent 10 all OF them that there
is not chance OF this contamination: that
the next best thing is the nomination of Mr.
hoover by the Democrats and that by de-
srees the FORMER food administrator is being
placed in lihe for Democratic consideration.
MI. Hoover is lending himself to this gen
eral program in very adroit fashion. First,
he disciaims any association with the Repub-
iican party. He announces that he is not a
Republican as the harnesses have sought 10
describe him. Next he reafiirms his support
er the league of nations covenant adding
tnat ne VIII support the party which sup
ports the league, should The league become
an issue in the forthcoming campaign Right
there is TO be found tho meat in the coconut
The league already is an issue. 1t has been
made All issue by the determinatio of the
Republican Senate to reject it by emascula-
t'oh, II IL cannot be rejected by direct vote
me Republican purity represented by its
duiy elected spokesman arc squarely against
the treaty of peace Democratic Presi-
dent negotiated il.
Having been made an issue in the cam
paisn' the Republican, party. now lighting
the covenant In the Senate, will have to fight
it in the great battle before the people. The
bemocrutic party will champion the puct i'm
the Ca npaign just as that party is cbampion
ing IL in the Senate at this moment AR
Hoover, therefore, Will be found aligned with
the Democrats upon this question and hay
ING hecomc that much OF a Democrat his
'rionds VIII seek TO make him the partys
standard bearer