The Washington times., 1923-09-17
BY WILLIAM HARD.

Calvin Coolidge, President of the
United States, is necessarily the
most formidable candidate for the
next Republican Presidential norini-
alton. This is for q double reason.
In the first place, he has the
prestige and the patronage of the
Presidency. In the second place.
it happens that he Is q peculiarly
experienced and perfected player
Of the political game.
Historical Incident Recalled.
An instructive historical incident
Ia now on the lips of Washington in
this matter.
In the year 1884 President Chester
A. Arthur, who had been elected
Vice President, and who had sue
eeeded to the Presidency upon the
death OF President James A. Gar
field. came. within fifty-six votes of
defeating James q. Blaine for the
Of that year.
Blaine was a much greater figure
in the Republican Party Of that
time than anybody is In the Re.
publican party Of today. Yet the
President OF that time came close
to defeating him.
Coolidge, it happens further, is
q stronger character than Arthur
was. He is stronger In purpose
and stronger in reputation. !
On the cards, therefore. Coolidge
ought to be the winner in the Re
publican convention of 1924. He is
advantaged at this time, as Presi.
dent, by one further consideration.
President Harding was extremely
dilatory in the disposal OF patron
age. Mr.. Coolidge, upon succeeding
70 the Presidency, does not find all
the patronage gone. On the con-
trary he finds much of it surviving
Tor regular legitimate use.
Began at the Bottom.
Passing from the matter Of Presi-
dental prestige and patronage, and
coming to the matter of profess
sional political skill, 1t is to be
noted that Calvin Coolidge. unlike
most holders of great office, began
his office-holding authority at the
bottom. BE began as a town coun-
Gilman, an alderman. and then was
. city solicitor, and then was a
clerk of courts.
Governor Lowden OF Illinois be-
gan as a Congressman. Clifford
Pinchot's first elective office was
the one he now holds-tf1e governor.
ship Of Pennsylvania. Hiram john
son held no elective office till he
won the governorship of California.
BOrah OF Idaho held no office what
soeyer till he became a United
States Senator.
Robert Marion La Toilette began.
indeed, as a prosecuting attorney IN
Q Wisconsin county government.
Even he, however, did not begin
DO far down as Coolidge.
Coolidge knows politics from the
lowest ranks up. He has been a
private and corporal and a ser.
geant and a lieutenant, and so on.
up to general; and he shows ii.
one Of the ablest mechanicians in
the Republican party, occupying
one OF the highest posts in the gift
Of the Republican party, came away
from an interview with the Presi.
dent the other day and rather
ruefully remarked to this writer:
Il have visited political amateurs
In the White House. This Presi.
dent knows precinct politics as well
rs he knews Senatorial politics"
His Appeal General.
1t Is far too early yet to say
what States and what blocks of
States will send Coolidge delegates
70 the convention next year. The
important point at this moment is
the mans general character and
general appeal. Politically the most
advantageous element in that char
acter and in that appeal is the
quality Of being independent" :"
: comb ned with the quality of being
"non-committal."
Coolidge in his writings is com.
mitted principally to such PROPOSE
tons as being against Bolshevism
and in favor of thrift No laws are
likely to be introduced into Con-
gress to establish Bolshevism or to
forbid thrift. Coolidge's commit
ments are principally on things
that will not come up. On things
that will actually enter the leeis.
lative storms of the next Congress
the President is largely free to
steer any course he pleases.
He Is free from the standpoint of
MS personal expressions of views,
and he Is free from the standpoint
OF his personal associations and al.
hanees.
Nothing is more ill-founded then
the idea that Mr.. Coolidge is tiled"
4Na@w.