The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-12-18
US. SENATE IS PADDOCK
IN 1922 POLITICAL RACE
HARDING BREAKS RULE THAT
UPPER HOUSE BARS TO
PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS.
COOLIDGE is IN FIRST PLACE
Numerous Members, Both Democrats
And Republicans, Want to Succeed
Silent Man in White Houte. Hard
ing Broke Custom, Opened Door.

WASHINGTON, d. C.-Visiting
the United States senate on the open
ing day OF congress was like looking
over the paddock where they are sad
ding the horses for the grand presi-
dental race of 1924. The senate was
chock full of entries. OF course, the
man with post position No. l on the
republican side of the fence was not
there The chair he had left vacant on
the rostrum was occupied by Senator
Cummins, Of Iowa. Mr.. Coolidge,
man of destiny, already has passed
from the senate to the white house,
where he hopes to remain another four
vars after his pro-tempore term eX-
pires March I, 1925.
Time was when the senate was re-
garded as anything but a breeding
ground for chief executives. AS a mat
ter of fact, the white house doors ap-
peared to be eternally closed to all
who had the temerity to enter the
chamber of the elder statesmen. This
remained the rule until Mr.. Harding
broke it. He stepped from a senate
desk to the white house Mr.. Coolidge
has followed him. So now the presi-
dental lightning rods are bristling in
the upper house of congress like bay
onets on column of marching SOL
diers.
Dynamo of Energy.
Hiram Johnson, of California, wide
of brow, dynamo of pent-up political
Il
seated squarely i'll the front row
without hat He had long since toss
ed it into the ring and is determined
to go bareheaded until the republican
convention says thumbs up or thumbs
down for him along about next June
Across the aisle from the strong
man of California was the polished
and polite Oscar W. Underwood, Ala
bama's favorite son. enemy of the Ku
Kluxers and long a presidential po-
tentiality. Senator Underwood is also
hatless He said good-by to his fedora
long ago and he is not sure. now Just
when or how he is going to get it
back.
Senator Jim" Holds Hat
Turning back to the republican side
we had the picture OF that grand
young gentleman from Indiana, Mr.
Watson, or just plain Jim Watson"
to those who know him we'll and those
who vote for him in wet weather and
dry Senator Jim" stands today with
his hat in his hand. He doesn't know
whethex to let go of it or not He
says he has his eye cooked only in
the direction of Bad-BOv Hiram.
Jim" is willing to part with his
war bonnet if it seems necessary to
do so to keep the home state delega-
ton from going for the gentleman
from California. Like Oscar Under
wood, Senator Jim" is confronted by
the Ku Kluxers, but he hasn't taken
a positive position as yet. He thinks
he ought to hear the evidence before
he renders decision That is judi
cial attitude to take, and Senator
Jim" is nothing if not judicial.
1t was grand sight to see Senator
Jim" escorting his colleague, Senator
Sam RalSton, down the senate aisle
to be sworn in. There was a portly
pair to draw to-both members of this
club. Senator Ralston has an even
chance TO be the next democratic
nominee. He isn't saying much. His
hat still is firmly perched upon his
-thatched dome, but he comes
from a strategic state and lot of nice
things are being said about him.