Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-05
Editorial Digest
"The Tie That Binds"

"The Tie That Binds"
For the most part. the nations
press approves of Senator Harding's
reiteration to Calvin Coolidge of his
campaign pledge to make the Vice
President an ex-officio cabinet officer.
Those writer's who look upon the plan
with less enthusiasm. however. point
out the danger Of unpleasant jeal-
ousies that might arise among leaders
in the Senate and the House if the
presiding officer of the former body
were taken into the immediate bosom
OF the White House official family.
But. in general. the newspapers seem
to feel that the Presidents under
study should be man worthy Of
the office and the Office worthy Of
such a man.
The Springfield Republican Gnde-
pendent) fears that the vote of the ex-
officio cabinet officer might promote
discord. instead Of harmony. between
the two branches of the government
Another view of this phase of the
situation is presented by the Ell Paso
Times independently, which believes
the Vice Presidents participation in
executive affairs under some circum-
stances. but hardly if zone branch
were republican and the other demo-
cratic"
The question of jealous ies between
the House and the Senate is raised
by several writer's. The Boston Tran
script independent republican,, for
instance. remarks: "Just why the
President of the Senate should be ad-
mitted to the cabinet and the Speaker
of the House excluded is question
Joseph News-Press independently },
though it believes the Vice President
ought to be the presidents right
hand man." comedies that making the
former IAN ex-officio member of the
cabinet" may cause "some embarrass-
presence at the bi-weekly meetings.
of this body. the Atlanta Journal
(dempcratic) feels. might, and prob
ably would, arouse jealousies in the
House and Senate that would more
than neutralize any advantage re-
White House."
While the arrangement may be well
enough for the impending regime,
with Mr.. Coolidge, "by far the strong
er personality yet so far showing
every disposition to defer to his
Ter (democratic) feels that it might
not be desirable if conditions were
different, and, therefore: Perhaps it
will be as well if the innovation an
nounced by Mr.. Harding, though safe
enough for the next four years and
promising benefit to the country dur
ing that period. can be prevented
from hardening swiftly into an es-
tablished precedent"
The Columbia Is. c. State demo
cratic) is opposed to the innovation"
in principle, as directly contrary to
our customs and our traditions
The Syracuse Post STANDARD (repub-
liean), while it believes that if the
vice presidential nominee has a rea-
sonable expectation Of being a real
factor in the administration, there
won't be 80 many eminent statesmen
lodging it," still admits that there is
nothing in the Constitution which ever
conceived the step. Further it denies
that Mr.. Harding has shown, as the
New York Tribune (republican)
claims. "a sensitive understanding of
the American system in his proposal"
There is no sensitive understanding
about it," says the Post-Standard.
Senator Harding will invite Mr.. Cool
idge to his cabinet meetings because
the Vice President is, in general con-
formity with his political thought and
because he prizes his judgment" and
no embarrassing precedents need re-
suit.
The Chicago Post independent.
the Baltimore News independently
and the Wheeling Intell.gencer (re-
pupHcanl all CONSIDER that Mr.. COOL
idge in his elevated position will be
a valuable connecting link" the
need for which. the News declares,
has long been recognized, for the
old separation-of theory, un-
der which our Constitution was drawn
up. has not, in practice, proved sat
isfactory." The argument. widely
urged, of the value Of training the
chief executives "understudy' is
advanced by the Kansas City Post (n-
"Only an exceptional President"
the Seattle Times independently con-
cludes. would welcome the presence
SO close to the throne of authority
of one chosen for the express pur-
pose Of succeeding him in the event
of death or disability. But Harding
promises in this respect to be the
exceptional President. The
country will hail the move"