The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-01-01
BY MARK SULLIVAN
National Political Correspondent OF The
Into!llgencHr and New York
Evening Post.


IntoNlgencHr and New York
Evening Post.
Marion. O.. Dec. 3l.--At the time or
Ifardings nomination It was universally
said that n group OF his fellow senators
had bcen the Chief instrument IN bring
ing Z about. To Il degree that was true
Hard.ng's initial entry into tho race
was probably half due 10 the pcrsua-
s!ons Of somo OF tho Republican soma
tors: at several times during the pre-
convention months when Harding rather
wished lie were out OF the race these
same Senators were influential In pre-
va!ling upon him TO stay In.
But the precise extent to which TN"
Senatorial group was potent IN finally
bringing about Hardings nomination
does not matter for the purposes Of this
article. Those confused events OF the
closing days OF the Republican Conven-
tion are too old for news and not old
enough FOR history.
I a,lude TO tho Senatorial group more
ly for It's bearing on the thing wa are
trying 20 get at now, tho question or
what kind OF n man Harding is. 1t 10
undoubtedly true that the public con-
ccpt!on OF Hardings personality. the
been largely and enormously determined
By that early assoc!Rhtiom OF Senators
with his nomination.
A False Picture
That carly and widespread association
in the newspapers gave rise 10 the
phrase "the Senatorial ol!garchy" and
hat phrase IN turn became n constantly
reiterated campaign slogan OF tho oppo-
s!tion. The result OF a.. this. with some
other factors. has been that 10 a degree
the public has thought Of Harding NOT
as a leader in his own right. but as tho
representative Of n Group: as mouth
ysrco FOR tho Republican Senators.
The public has thought ana 10 q large
extent still think sor Harding as the
amtable easy going. rather plant sort
or man who would be confronted and
happy in that kind OF role.
People have thought OF nm as having
neutral personality. even negative
personality. destined Nc PreS!der' to bo
tho reelection In tho White n OF IL
group OF stronger and more positive
personalities In tho Senate. They have
pictured the Republican Senators run
ming the Country. with tho white House
registering hc!r decisions.
That picture OF Harding Is as far
from the facts as black Is from white.
Harding is the leader, knows no is the
loader. and will live up 20 that role.
He Will do It M way different from
the way Wilson did it and different
from the way Roosevelt did II. But ne
will DO the leader no less surely than
those two were. Right now. for ex-
ample. Senator Harding Is believed ny
all the Republican senators to be N tho
process OF making up his mind on a de-
cidcLly important matter.
A disappointed orgarchy.
Fully flve-sIxths Of tho Republican
senator's who are supposed 10 compose
the senatorial ollgIrChy" dsplorc the
decision which they fear Harding is
going 10 make: they would !ike 10 SEQ
tho decision so n different way; they
would Ike 10 advise Harding against
Il. But none Of them Is sufficiently sure
OF his footing to do so.
This particular decision to bc sure,
IS unique and not typical. To tell Il
az K II were typical would give n false
view OF Harding.
On ordinary subjects the Republican
senator's will always have easy access
10 tho new Presidents mind. The
particular instances is 4 cabinet matter
and has other aspects that make It init
mate and personal.
But while not typical the incident Will
serve TO illustrate what Is unquestiop-
ably the fact as It exists today. namely.
that Harding Is the leader and that the
Republican SENATOR'S know he is tho
leader.
Harding Is confident In his leadership
and the senator's arc dcfercntIal in tho
role OF advisers.
The truth is that Harding. with nj!
his genuine courtesy. with his almost
tender consideration for others. and
with his very marked personal unset
tiShncsS. nevertheless has n decided
mind Of his own. and IN essential mat
ters. always follows II. Harding might