Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-04-03
Finding His Level at Last

4 FTER many weeks OF yacillation, or
y perhaps it was careful political maneu-
vering, Herbert Hoover has pronounced him
self not only n candidate for the presidency,
but candidate for the Republican nomina-
ton. lie has coniided to the country that
he is partisan. although most Of his earlier
statements were impassoned regulations
OF the thought that he was of, by or for any
political party. He wanted it understood
that he independent" that he was
progressive" and that he was neither Re-
publican nor Democrat.
But that sort of thing was hard to main
tain as an attitude by a man whose quail
ficatons for the presidency were being
highly appraised by great numbers OF peo-
pie; by man who was being tempted daily
to accept the support OF Republicans and
Democrats alike for the highest of all Of
fees, and whose predictions were strong
enough to make him at least 81 per cent
member OF The Republican party. In the
end, Mr.. Hoover surrendered to IN ambition
which he has every right to entertain.
Mr.. Hoover's fellow-citizens by and large
will not find fault with him for desiring
the nomination for the presidency. In
seeking that honor he is only doing what
every American may do. But some of his
late admirers will criticize him for appar
cnt Misunderstanding i'll an effort TO achieve
the great office to which he aspires. They
cannot forget that he has given aid and en-
coura gcment to leaders in both parties who
have sought to impress the country with his
availability. and that he did not decide to
became "A Republican until it appeared TO
him that tho Republican nomination would
be the more desirable and perhaps the cas-
icr 10 get.
Most straight Democratic leaders will feel
n sense of relief in the fact that Mr. Hoover
;e hnfa
Francisco Convention. There will be no
Hoover complication there. He is absolute
~ eliminated from consideration, and the
party in power may now proceed TO weigh
the qualifications and the strength of the
several Democratic candidates for the NOM
ination. 1t is a fact, we'll known to polti-
clans, that the average Democratic voter
would rather go down to defeat in support
OF Il straight ticket than to win n double
victory with a half-Republican and half
Democrat the standard bearer.
Ii MIR Hoover is nominated by the Re-
publicans he will make strong candidate.
That is not to be discounted. He has many
attractive qualities. He has n record OF
great achievement. and has come out OF the
war unscathed But he will have violent
opposition. Let that he known. He will
have antagonized the bitterenders among
the Republicans on the treaty issue. To win
the nomination, he must, OF course, defeat
Hiram Johnson. OF his own State, and in
defeating tina, gentleman he may force a
third ticket into the field.
Then there are the Irish, who have be-
come convinced that Hoover is more Brit
ish than he IS American. There is Hoover's
defense of the packers and his association
with the grain and oil and other interests,
WHICH are showing great political activity.
Mr.. Hoover, as Republican candidate, will
have many elements OF weakness as well
as many clements OF strength.