The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-16
Editorial Digest
Interpretation of World Events as Reflected
by the Press of the Country.
Harding's Honeymoon Year.

HdIuIHS HOHSyIuOOA cdi.
Although practically every newspaper Of
standing has made comment upon what a num-
Der of them term "Harding's honeymoon year,
the discussions devote far more space to the
records of congress than they do to the activ-
tiles of the chief executive. AS the subject is
one in which partisanship easily finds full sway
the years record is naturally pointed to with
pride by one section of the press and viewed
with alarm by those of the opposite faith.
The Portland (Me.) Evening Express and
Advertiser (Rep) says, "it has been claimed
for this year that it has been one of more nota-
BILE achievements than any other in the history
of this country in time of peace, and the facts
warrant this assertion while the wheeling
Register, (Dem) contends that politicians,
press and public sizing it up and judging
from the consensus of opinion its rating is not
very high" The Denver Rock Mountain News
0nd) reflects a stand taken by no small sec
ton of the press when it says, 'ff verdict
could be given on the first year of the Harding
administration what would it be? A suspended
Judgment we believe
"Of Mr. Harding's personality the country
thinks well admires his kindness and human
sympathy, and, in the main, has confidence in
his advisers" according to the Rochester
Times-Union 0nd) and the Muskegon Chroni-
Gle (Ind) asserts that although ne mas Demon
strated that he is a greater man than his pre-
vious inconspicuous career had given him a
chance to show"
There is no arugment apparently with the
contention of the Worcester Evening Gazette
IL
affairs were in muddle and foreign relations
were packed with unpleasant possibilities Tor
governments and peoples.
In summing up the accomplishments Of the
wear the New York Tribune (Rep) says, "the
peak of defiation has been passed the worst OF
liquidation is over and the country is settling
down to something like economic stability and
normal processes" adding. however, that lit
would be foolish to give the federal admins
tration all credit for this"
1t is upon the record of the congress, how
ever that the batteries of adverse criticism are
directed and in this attack the president comes
in for A share of the blame. OF marked interest
is the expression of the Boston Evening Tran
script (Ind.-RepD when 1t says, the record OF
the house of representatives stamps 1t unmIs-
takably as the worst house In 20 years. ltS
presiding officer is helpless its leaders are
leaders in name only, and for the most part
they represent either the worst or the most
stupid to be found in either political camp to-
day" To which the Lynchburg CVa.) News
Dem J. adds that 1.-The senate deserves to come
within the sweep of condemnation
The conduct of the president toward con-
gress is discussed quite generally. The Boston
Evening Transcript (Ind.-RepD says, of what
avail is a wise president and a strong cabinet
if it is their misfortune to be blocked IN many
directions by a recalctrant congress? The
country will expect of the president we ven
ture. a stronger leadership in the coming year.
Along this line the Brooklyn Daily Eagle lind
Dem) says of the legislative branch that ITS
greatest weakness is in the not infrequent tall-
branch the leadership it needs" the New York
World CDemD points out that representative
government cannot be carried on by passing
the buck" and the Hartford Daily Times CDem.)
saws there are cries from all sides for the
president to assume the leadership that should
rightfuly be his, but he does not reach for the
big stick while the mOlasses jar is handy. The
trouble is that the molasses jar doesn't do the
business" The Roanoke (Va.) Times (Dem.D
holds that "Mr. Harding must choose between
a fight with congress and being a failure as
president
The Portland COre) Morning Oregonian
(Ind.- RepD after giving credit for the success
full conclusion of the arms conference, an item
upon which papers of almost every shade of
political opinion appear to agree, says, the
president has succeeded in many and so
great things that he certainly has it in him to
win success in his management of congress-
As to what the future holds for the presi-
dents administration the Roanoke Na.) World
News (Dem.G AYERS that taking the president
first year as a basis for making a forecast, it
is altogether probable that the country will see
little of spectacular or highly revolutionary leg
isation during his administration. while the
Richmond (VaD News Leader Und.-Demo TAX !
ing up the political possibilities says, "a de-
cline in the Republican majority there will be,
but reversal IS not to be desired |
by Democrats Far better it is to |
let Republicans struggle on for two years in |
futile efforts at injudidciOus compromise. Then,
by 1924, the country will be ready to throw
them both out from congress and the White |
house"
On the other hand the Washington Post |
OndD contends that IF the administration can
accomplish as much in each succeeding year
of its term it will have triumphantly indicated |
the judgment of the great majority that selected '
Mr.. Harding in 1920" and the Durham IN. c. |
Sun CInd0 holds that 'it is not unreasonable to |
say. nor is there anything fulCome in the pre-
dction that the country in the coming year
Of President Hardings term go to bed
every night without fear of the next dawn"