Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-17
PARTISAN PRESIDENTS.

PARTISAN PRESIDENTS.
The papers OF yesterday printed a
long letter from President Harding |
TO Representative Frank Mondell of |
Wyoming. Republican floor leader in
the present House of Representatives |
and Republican candidate for United |
States Senator In his State. In this |
letter President Harding extended his
good wishes to his political friend and
o-worker, and also eulogized the
work of the Republican Congress in
one branch Of which Mr.. Mondell was
the party leader. He praised the Re-
publican Congress warmly for It's "ac-
comriishments," especially its enact
ment of the price-raising Tariff law,
already having it's legitimate results
in increased drafts upon the pockets
OF the people. and also claimed for it
commendable economy in eXpendi-
lures and the enactment of general
legislation for the benefit of the
people. The latter may not be able TO
recognize this beneficial legislation as
clearly as President Harding seems to
do. but the President says II is so,
and doubtless hopes the people will
accept his fine presentation.
OF course, President Harding did
not say 10 the people: Please vote
the Republican ticket at the coming
election. in order to indorse my ad-
ministration." but no intelligent ~citi-
zen will fail to see in his deliverance
what is fully equal to such direct
request. And 1t is said at Washing
ton the President will take further op-
portunity to advance the failing and
tottering cause Of his party TO the
best of his ability by other letters Of
appeal. more or less direct in terms
but unmistakable in purpose. It is
said he intends TO do what he can to
aid in the election of Republican men,
bers Of Congress and other letters
bearing upon the issues will be forth
coming for use in the campaign in dif-
ferent sections of the country. The
President, it was said, would direct
his attention In a few days to the
Ohio situation, which is giving the
Republican leaders great concern. Re-
publican managers are especially anx-
ious 10 carry Ohio and elect a United
States Senator TO succeed Senator
Pomerene, since defeat in Ohio might
have a bad effect on the political for
tunes of the President in 1924.
In this partisan purpose of Presi-
dent Harding to do all he can 10 aid
his party. now struggling in the mids,
OF a most disheartening and threat
ening national campaign. there is
nothing surprising. nothing really
wrong. The President of the United
States is a partisan, as well as thou.
sands of his fellow-citizens He is Sc.
lected as a candidate for the Office by
81. 20 l.s
in national convention assembled, ant
while he is not expected TO apply ranl
partisanship to the performance of hi,
official duties, he is expected, ant
rightfully, 10 maintain an interest il
the welfare of his party, of which h,
becomes the national leader immedi
ately following his nomination. 1t 4
only natural. therefore. he shoul'
have an interest in the future success
of his party, especially in a campaign
occurring almost midway In his OF
ncial term, the result Of which i
pound 10 De eltner an lnQOrSement q
Reputation Of his administrator
up 10 the day OF election.
But Il is surprising, in view @
precedent. that President Hardin
should have taken this venture int
the field OF partisan politics. for tn
purpose OF aiding his party in polit
cal campaign. While there is, as W
have said, nothing really wrong or ur
usual in such a procedure. there is
radical denunciation of Republica
party policy and practice, as displays
only short time ago, in such mo1
by President Harding at this time. II
course is virtual rebuke 10 his part
for the position it took following
precedent of this kind, only four yea
ago.
In the closing days of the Congre
campaign Of 1918, President Wilsc
addressed a letter TO personal frien