San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-02
BY EDMUND HART.

Boston, Sept. New England, for
20 years content with itself, is de-
veloping a national outlook.
With the accession of Calvin Cool
idge to the presidency, this question
has naturally arisen: will New Eng
land Republicans arise above their pro-
vincialism, viewing important political
questions from national standpoint,
or will her political leaders continue
to look upon such problems from the
narrow viewpoint of the fishermen of
Gloucester and Maine, the cotton ana
wool manufacturers Of Lowell, Fall
River, New Bedford, Bidford and the
Pawtuxet Valley and Manchester?
Shrewd political observers think
they already have detected a change
in this neck of the woods, at least TO-
ward the new President in his appar-
ent effort to repudiate the cry of sec
tionalism which, sooner or later, will
be raised.
Mr.. Coolidge has begun the task of
broadening the political horizon of
New England.
He named a Southerner for his sec
Rotary, and in choosing c. Bascom
Slemp for this important office, Mr..
Coolidge renewed in some measure the
political ties between Massachusetts
and Virginia which was so rudely in
terrupted by the Civil War.
Will Not Change Cabinet.
The fact that President Coolidge re-
fuses to make any changes in his cab
met, his reappointment Of Brig. Gen.
Sawyer as physician to the executive
and his bid for the good will and po-
litical support OF Harding's chief po-
litical lieutenants all over the land,
is additional proof that Mr.. Coolidge
takes much broader view Of politics
than the average New Englander.
President Coolidge is too good n
politician to permit himself to be re-
garded as a sectional chief executive.
His friends here look TO see him
shape his course westward, taking
counsel with men of prominence out
side the six New England states.
They also realize that it will re-
quire all the political finesee and the
ingenuity the President possesses to
overcome the national and inherent
prejudice against New England domi-
nation at Washington.
They are convinced that the batting
average of New England office holders
is at It's zenith: that from now on, the
nullber of high places held by New
Englanders will diminish, and, in the
event of Coolidge's election in 1924,
will tumble perceptibly.
AT the present time New England
has the presidency, the speakership Of
the House, the leadership of the Sen
ate, a membership in the cabinet,
MANY choice and all important con-
sressional committee chairmanships,
and two members of the Supreme
Court.
The President, speaker of the House,
secretary Of war and the two justices
Of the Supreme Court are Massachu-
setts men-an entirely negotiable dis
tri5ution of high offices, in the TIA
tional government.
st times there have been attempts
at revolt, but the opposition has been
sootl ed by the appeal of the party
leaGers, that such movement would
create d;scord and might spell defeat
il carried out.
Now, however, the situation has
changed and President Coolidge him.
| sell Il heely to use the argument oi
the opposition and employ his influ
ence to induce some of these New
Englanders TO step aside and make
room for other sections.
Many believe that Senator Lodge
would be the first shining mark Of
the opposition TO New England domi
nation.
An 02en Secret.
1t is an open secret in official cir
cles in Washington that Secretary Ct
War Weeks is ready to step aside any
moment the President wishes TO re
ward some friend outside New Eng
land, but the secretary of war wa.
one of the first New Engianders II
Washington TO see the force of tn,
argument of too much New England
Indeed, months before the death OF
Harding, he offered to surrender In,
post to any friend President Hardin.
desired TO honor, but the Pfesiden
answered:
Nothing doing. John"
Another noticeable thing since Cool
idge became President is the. almos
unanimous opinion of New Englanr
Republicans that it is their duty L
get behind the new chief cxecutig
and support him in office aud for
nomination next year.
Aien, who in 1920 scoffed az III
idea Of Calvin Coolidge aspiring {
the presidency, and others who opCnl
opposed him for the nomination, no'
are busily engaged in picturing hir
as the greatest Of all Americans.
His own state Of Massachusetts bs