Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-11
BY M. E. HENNESSY
Especial Dispatch to The JOurnal.)
(COnYrip ht. 1923.

NY NJ. Il. HENNESSH
Especial Dispatch to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1921
WASHINGTON, Aug. S.-Calvin
Coolidge, who today faces the acid
test in politics, was landed in the
governorship of Massachusetts by
that states political escalator sys-
TEN. By an unwritten law COVER
nor is entitled to three terms and
then the lieutenant governor, if he
behaves, is promoted to first place.
But Mr.. Coolidge would have been
elected governor. of Massachusetts,
under 2ny SYSTEM.
And as q result Of his public work
il that state there are real working
men in Massachusetts who willingly
will testify that all through his long
legislative and executive career, Cal
vim Coolidge's heart and vote always
have been with the honest, 'ndus-
triCus toilers who earn their bred by
the sweat of their broWs. But he is
not the kind of politician who beats
his breast and thanks God he is not
dtmagogue, and there are I'M
thinking and uniformed people all
over this land who contend that he is
a standpatter, a reactionary.
Learns Inner Workings
For three years Calvin Coolidge
cooled his heels in the little office
outside the executive chamber at
the Massachusetts, state house, as
signed for the use Of the lieutenant
governor, and watched the political
procession go by. The lieutenant
governor of the Bay state has not
much to do except to serve on ccm-
mittees of the executive council, the
governors cabinet, with a veto on
the governors appointments and
serving on such committees as HIS
exceIlcncy appoints him to. But he
gets g. first-hand view of the inner
workings of the state government,
makes acquaintance with depart
ment heads and represents the COM
monWealth in the absence of the gov
ernor. at the annual muster of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery
company, the charitable Irish society
and the Dedham Society for the
EuJllSIIIlGIL
oldest fraternal and military organ1-
cations in the state.
Three years is a long time FOR an
ambitious man to wait for chance
to run for governor, but the escala-
tor system works admirably ii
Massachusetts except when the mill
tant Republicans kick over the
traces and the Democrats butt into
the governorship, upsetting the sue
cession plan of the G. o. P.
Gained in Popularity
Governor Samuel w. Mccall,
whose confidence in Mr.. Coolidge,
his running mate, was boundless,
often delegated him to represent the
governor in matters of state and his
understudy always acquitted himself
with credit to the state and to the
administration. Coolidge's plurality
at each succeeding election exceeded
that of the governor. In 1917 it
passed the 100000 mark. And at
last he was elected governor.
Among the laws which he signed
during his first years as chief eXecu-
tive were these affecting labor:
Setting a 4S-hour working week
for women and children; requiring
that labor specifications be furnished
textile weavers; providing for a two
platoon system for firemen in such
cities and towns as would accept
the act; providing for representation
of employees on directories of the
manufacturing corporations; requir-
ing the posting of DEGREES of the
minimum wage commission by en-
ployers affected; increasing the
maximum weekly payments under
the workmen's compensation law
from $14 to SIG; providing a weekly
payment of compensation in cases
of partial incapacity; empowering in
surance companies to require COM
panies doing business under the
workmen's compensation act to de-
post with the state treasurer cash
to meet outstanding claims.
Faith in Public Service
His political faith was epitOmiZ-
ed in his second memorable inaugu-
ration speech as president of the
Massachusetts senate, when he said,
thanking his associates for again
choosing him as their presiding Off
Ger:
Honorable senators, my sincerest
thanks I offer you. Conserve the
firm foundations of our institutions.
Do your work with the spirit of
soldier in the public service. Be loyal
to the commonwealth and tic your
selves. And be brief, above ali
things, be brief"
That in this writer's opinion, is
the keynote of his success in public
life; his loyalty to the institutions of
his country, his martial spirit in the
discharge of his public service, his
loyalty to his state and to himself,
and his brevity of speech. Never
go to President Coolidge with a long
winded argument. You will bore
him and probably queer your case. II
some of the senatorial wind TANNERS
could have read his mind while lie
was listening to them filling the con-
eressional Record in the last two
years with meaningless words, quib-
bling over some inConseqCentlaI
nothing. they might have been sham