The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1920-07-23
Harding. the Camp Follower.

Speaking of colorless candidates,
the Chicago convention outdid all
previous distinctions in that direc-
ton, The man nominated is a let
George do it" type of politician. He
has done so little himself that Meth
er his best friends nor his worst en-
emies could tell off-hand what his
attitude has been on any big public
question.
From all sides The Searchlight is
being 'phoned, wired and written for
accurate information about Harding.
People only know that he is United
! States Senator and that he must have
a record which sheds some light upon
his characted as a public man.
He has, and it does.
Harding has been 'me, too" Sen
ator, a kind of wondering younger
child, such as one often sees in that
Juvenile game, follow the leader"
If a congressman he could best be
described as a "mawsh" member
mawsh being derived from the ini-
tials of might as well stay home"
His leaders have been the Oldest
and most reactionary of the old
guard Penrose, Smoot, Lodge. He
has talked as they talked and voted
as they voted. But he has never ven
tured at leadership himself. Through
nearly six years in the Senate he has
made no big fight, good or bad, with
which his name can be identified.
He has stood consistently for special
political and economic interests, but
always in that colorless, "me too"
capacity.
Many, many times Harding lodged
important roll-calls, but he has an
swered "yea" or may in chorus
with the old guard often enough to
demonstrate clearly his attitude ION
vital issues.
During all the long struggle of the
conservationists against the vicious
Shields water-power bill, he sup
ported that measure, and voted to
prevent the safeguarding of public
interests through amendments.
On prohibition, he voted for the
eighteenth amendment as many an
other wary politician did, but he reg
istered his vote against the bill to
provide for prohibition in the Dis
trick of Columbia and also in the
Philippines. 1t was Harding himself
who gave the liquor interests a last
chance by sponsoring that section OF
the constitutional amendment which
provided that ratification must be
completed within six years, the first
time such limitation was ever i'm
posed.
AS to his attitude on profiteering,
in the revenue bill of 1918 he OPP
posed both Democratic and Republic
can efforts to levy higher tax on
war profits. Hollis and johnson Of
fered amendments to that end, and
he voted may" with Penrose and all
of that ilk. Johnson proposed tax
of from SO to 70 per cent upon profits
which were 300 per cent greater than
during the pre-war period. Harding
voted no. He also opposed Owens
amendment to get additional revenue
from large inheritances.
On the river and harbor bills,
about the best illustration of pork,
Harding has been with the dredging
for votes" gang.
Here is a tremendously significant
matter, involving the whole question
of open diplomacy: In 1918 Borah
led fight to abolish secret consid-
Grafton of all treaties. Harding voted
may" with the old guard.
This is also full of meaning: When
President Wilson appointed Louis
d. Brandeis to place on the SUI
preme Court, the Penrose group
worked desperately to defeat con-
firmation, Harding voting may"
with them.
1t was the same story in the fight
to prevent the confirmation of George
Rublee as a federal trade commits
sioner because he was a progressive.
Harding stood firm with the spoils
men against confirmation.
IVN HATNES