Milford chronicle., 1923-08-10

President Wilson, although in not 6
extreme a manner as some of then
He was one of the thirty-seVen Sena
tors who signed the famous "roun
robin" notifying the world that the
disapproved the way President Wilso
was tying up the League of Nation
with the Peace Treaty. He voted fol
or was paired with Senator Under
wood in favor of, every one of the res
ervatlons to the League Covenant pro
posed by SenaNDr Lodge.
Il think that as originally negotiat
ed it is of the colossal blunder of al
time" Senator Harding said in
speech in the Senate referring to the
Peace Treaty, 'but, recognizing the
aspirations of our own people and the
people of the world to do something
toward international cooperation fol-
the promotion and preservation OF
peace and better understanding be-
tween nations, have wished TO make
1t possible to accept this Covenant. l
could, however, no more vote to ratify
this treaty without reservations which
make sure Americas independence of
action, which make sure the preserva-
ton of American tradition. which
make sure and certain our freedom
in choosing our course of action, than
l could participate in a knowing be-
trayal of this Republic.
Il welcome the moment we can 90
to the people of the United States Cn
the issue as to who is responsible
therefore (referring to the treaty..
speak as one who is old-fashioned
enough to believe that the Government
OF the United States of America is
good enough for me-"
Senator Harding voted for the sub
mission of both the prohibition and the
woman suffrage amendments. On most
measures coming before the Senate he
voted with the majority of his party.
He made a speech occasionally in the
Senate and spoke more frequently at
dinners and other gatherings through
out the country.
BY 1920, five years after he had en-
tered the Senate, he was on friendly
terms with all the Senate leaders and
liked by all the Senators. He was a
friend of every member of the social !
ed Senatorial group" in the Republi- |
can Party, but was by no means con- |
sidered a leader of that group.
Helped by Daugherty in 1920
So far as the public knew this was
Senator Harding's position in the Re-
publican Party, when Harry M. Daugh-
.rty, later Attorney General in Presi-
lent Harding's Cabinet, undertook the
campaign which was to get him the
republican nomination and elect him
o the White House. A close friend of
Harding and an astute politician,
)augherty began quest for delegates
the Republican National Convention
nd for support from the party lead
rs and business interests.
Looking back at the situation, it is
vident now that Senator Harding
as always formidable dark horse"
andidate, but the activity of the
lends and supporters of General
'ood and Governor LoWden forced 1
i'm into the background in the early
ages of the campaign for the nomi- :
alton, which is not an unfaVorable :
)sition in a Presidential race. AS ear
as January, 1920, the report was l
lrrent that Senator Harding had for Il
liable backing. A few months later
augherty in an interview made his
markable prediction that the con- Il
nt1on would be deadlocked that a t'
tie group of men would gather in a Il
tel room at o'clock in the morn e.
g to pick the candidate and that II
lrding would be named. d
In undoubted realization of the DO Ill
1tial strength of Harding the friends pl
(ApnnpnI =,
mt for delegates in Ohio in defiance
the political custom which permits di
candidate to have the vote of his tv
n State lat least on the early bal W
IS asa "faVOrite son." The Wood th
pporters failed to carry the State th
their candidate, but did succeed in tn
ting approximately one-quarter of Fl
Congressional districts and in de- la
ting Daugherty for delegate-at- pf
ge. This division of the Ohio dele -
lion was generally considered to
AIKEN Harding's chances greatly. 1t
eded "break" of some sort to over
ne that handicap.
he break was forthcoming when a
late investigating committee which
aiming to uncover huge campaign
'end1tures by the Wood forces dis
sed that supporters of Governor
yden had paid money to certain
ty leaders and delegates in Misso-
Although Governor LowdeE had
knowledge of the matter, there was
ceiling among the leaders at the
Vention that this might weaken
as candidate and he withdrew
+ conference of his supporters
acquiesced in this Judgment.
Lrong opposition had developed in
meantime to General Wood, and,
Ough he was the leading candidate
he start it became evident that he
Id not be able to get a majority.
switch of the Lowden delegates,
most of them, to Harding, follow
a conference in Colonel George
Vey's hotel room, at which a--Tie-
N was reached mlaGln along the
predicted by Eaugherty, settled
contest.
Ominated on the Tenth Ballot
arding was nominated for Presi-
on the tenth ballot, receiving
votes to 156 for General Wood,
II Governor LOwden, 801a for Sen
Hiram Johnson and scattering
for Governor Coolidge of Massa-
etts, later nominated for Vice
ident; DR.. Nicholas Murray But
Herbert Hoover, Will H. Hays,
the Republican National Chair
and Senators La Toilette and
Dot.