The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-08-12
N Nebraska
Political
Pot Boils
Leading Republicans Predict
Open Field in State in 1924
Presidential Preference
Primary.
Coolidge Is F avore d

Omahans who follow the fortunes
and misfortunes of the political whirl-
igig. are beginning to discuss the
probable effect Of the death Of Pres
ident Harding on Nebraska politics.
They recall that Senator Hiram john
son received the highest vote at the
presidential preferential primary in
1920, and that in the same year Hard
ing polled an overwhelming lead over
Wilson.
Frank Shotwell believes that X
President Coolidge pursues an ex-
elusive American policy and contin-
ues the economic reforms of Harding,
he may be nominated next year.
1.-THE death of President Harding
changes the political atmosphere in
Nebraska" he said. I'm my opinion
it removes the issue that was diyid
ing the party and likely to cause Sc
rious detection. President Harding
carried Nebraska by more than 100,-
900. This was Nebraska's answer to
the entry of the United States into
the league of nations. The president
was popular and happy in his secure
place as leader of the republican par
ty and his denomination and re-elec-
ton was very probable as the logical
sequence Of events. Yet for some
reason other than political, possibly
on account of his passionate desire
and dream for world peace. he yielded
to his international advisers, Hughes.
Hoover and Root, and adopted their
reasoning of the world court program
and made that his major policy. Our
party Immediately was divided The
ma jority declined his leadership.
believe President Harding felt this
estrangement and, in measure, II
undermined bis health and caused his
untimely death.
Issues Unpopular.
IF he had lived and contested in
Nebraska with Senator Johnson.
Senator Borah or Senator Watson, he
would have lost by large majority
on this issue. Economic issues arc
largely lost sirht of IN a campaign
when national Sovereignty and pef-
sonal liberty are involved. President
Harding had become the champion OF
two unpopular issues that left him
without fighting forces In his party.
towit: the world court dream and pro-
hibition. He was a good man with
high ideals. but his political course
was laid out and charted by design
ing men who either did not want him
to succeed or else were ignorant of
the political thought of this nation.
His passing from the theater Of po-
liticaf action removes this embar-
RAISING issue from within the party
and the republicans have no cause
for division.
'If Mr.. Coolidge adopts an exclu-
sive American policy and continues
the economic reforms of Harding in
business and government. he will be
nominated in. 1924. II. on the other
hand, he attempts to take this ma
tion into European politics and en-
tanglements. he will be succeeded by
either Senator Johnson. Borah or
Watson.
Mrs. Draper Smith. who has been
active In republican politics and in
obtaining suffrage for women. does
not believe that Mr.. Coolidge viii be
the next republican nominee. How.
ever, she asked for further time TO
consider the situation. particularly as
1t affects Nebraska.
w. G.. Ure. delegate TO the last re.
publican national convention, Will not
hazard an opinion as TO what revi
sion must be made In Nebraska poll.
tics on account of the death Of Presi.
dent Harding.
Robert Smith Discusses Issues.
Robert Smith. clerk vf the district
court and considered something of
a political oracle. stated his views as
follows:
AS I see 1t. had President Hard.
ing lived, Nebraska would have Civ
en- him her vote for denomination In
the 1924 national convention. Tho
farmer. laborer and capitalist know
fairly well what might have been
expected Of another Harding admin
istration, and I believe the people
of Nebra ska, under the leadership of