The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-27
MIR. COOLIDGE AS THE "GOAT"

Since the announcement from Attorney General Daugherty that President Harding would be willing to take another term, the question of reconciling the various blocs in the party with widely divergent views on the theory and practice of government has become serious to the Republican lead CTS, such as they have. The question does not appear to take any angle bearing on whether or not the country is to be given constructive administration; but is appar- ently being considered almost entirely from a standpoint of political expediency. Votes, and more votes, are the dominant considera- tion. That the country at large is dissatis- fled with the party record so far, more or less seriously handicapped by the pull-apart elements in congress- and especially with its failure to offer any material relief from the bordens of taxation, is generally conceded. That the country is preparing for a change, if it can get one, is equally apparent. The people are not content with the lack of ac- tion which has charac erzed the Republican administration. The question arises whether in face of continuation of that record there will be sufficient popular support to keep the Republican party in power.
 These suggestions are conspicuous in the minds of those who ;hape political policies and work out the program of political ex- pedency some time before the campaign opens for nominations. Maybe that is the reason rumors at Washington are thick as bees in clover patch that Vice President Coolidge may be sacrificed in the nominat- ing convention in favor of some candidate who can more nearly reconcile the radical influence and vote in the election. Mr. Coolidge is anything but radical. His environments and training, his trend of thought in governmental matters, are all distinctly of conservative color; so much so, in fact, that he is looked upon as a re- actonary of the "Old Guard" element.
 To argue that it makes little difference who is vice president, in view of the per functory character that position occupies, will not satisfy the more thoughtful ele ment in the self-styled progressive ranks. The voters Of this school, and especially in view of the attitude and record of the late senate, realize that the presiding .dignltary of that body possesses much more power than the public appreciates in the shaping of tao tics as well as in the action inaction of the senate as body with power to obstruct legislation, even though it does little or noth- ing for the public relief or the public well fare. And the people generally are waking up to the importance of the vice presidency in view of the steadily increasing strain on the health of the president with it's attend ant possibilities They nave not forgotten what took place in the untimely passing of Lincoln, Garfield and Mckinley. They un- derstand, and more especially under the heavy burdens of the presidency, what may happen at any time in the matter of his sue cessor, and possibly for practically full term.
 In this connection, the nomination for the second place on the ticket Is already being considered in the light of possibility as well as expediency. But the real question seems to be whether Vice President Coolidge could make sufficient appeal to the more progress sive influences and elements in the Republi- can party to help the ticket in the election. What the Republican party is going to need in 1924 is votes. No doubt MT. Harding will be nominated again. And he is going to need all possible help from his running mate to carry many doubtful states of the North and West It already begins to look as if Vice President Coolidge may have to fill the role of the political goat in order to meet situation based on political expediency which is, and long has been, serious obstacle to good government.
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