San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-22
COP. MAY DROP
COOLIDGE; HIS.
FRIENDS WORRY.
New England Has Too
Many Places, Lead
ers Think.
HARDING IS SILENT
May Boost Vice President
for Place in the
Senate.
HARDING IS SILENT
Ry EDMUND HART.

friends in New England are consider
ably disturbed over the gossip that
the Republican ticket should be
strengthened in 1924 by substituting
for Coolidge as President Harding s
running mate a mid7western man, pre-
ferably a progressive. Mention of
other names sends cold shivers down
the spines of New England Republi-
can leaders.
The suggestion of dropping Coolidge
has started lot of lively speculation
and the vice president, now back
among the homefolks, is in receipt of
many newspaper clippings on the SUBJ
ject. The talk of new deal on the
national ticket next year, promptly
brought from the vice president the
statement, "Of course, Mr.. Harding
will be renominated, and reelected"
But that was days ago. And up 10
date, Mr.. Harding has not in turn
declared for the denomination of Mr..
Coolidge, muhc to the discontinue of
the latter's supporters. Frankly, they
say the Resident ought to come out
fairly and squarely for their man.
They say they will not be satisfied
with evasion and are inclined to look
for a way to compel a showdown.
Won't Discuss It,
The vice president refuses to dis
cuss his own chances for renOmina-
ton. He knows, of course. that other
vice presidents have been dropped aft
er they had been used to bridge over
party situation. Lincoln and his
friends did not hesitate 10 eliminate
Hannibal Hamlin and substitute An
drew johnson of Tennessee as n sop
TO the war Democrats of the North.
Nor did Grant managers hesitate to
sidetrack Colfax, but that because he
was mixed up in the credit mobilizcr
scandal. q
The chief reason Suggested fOr
dropping Coolidge is that New Eng
land now has too many leading places
the vice presidency, the speakership
of the House, the secretary of war,
and the leadership of the Senate ma
jority. But the Coolidge men argue
their chief did not seek the office.
but that the convention forced it upon
denomination they hold the vice pres
ident is likewise deserving and insist
if he is denied they start row IN
the nominating convention which Will
be heard all over the country.
Want Him i'm Senate.
There are certain friends of Mr..
Coolidge, however, who want him t.
step down and run for the Senate
against Senator David /. Walsh, but
so far the vice president has refused
to indicate how he feels towards such
a proposal. 1t is well known though
that he believes Governor Cox world
be a good senatorial candidate. but
there will be plenty Of time after the
Republican national convention for
Mr. Coolidge to make up his mind to
run for the senatoriship if he is de-
MED a denomination. it is reasonable
TO suppose he might enter the soma
torial race.
Calvin Coolidge never has been dc
feated in a political contest, but he
always has been prepared, to accept
deefat. Two years in Washington
have changed him, his ncighbors say.
He is a little more communicative.
His smile has grown into chucEle
and he is more of an optimist than
in the old days. lie resents sugges-
tons, the last Congress was of the
bard you with facts and figures 10
show that no other Congress equalle'l
. the Sixty-seventh in its accomplish
ments.
Makes Less Fuss.
He is strenuous in defending tie
President. citing innumerable lr-
stances to prove that Warren g. Hard
' ,ing not only is a man with back
bone. but that the works and worries
1ver public questions as nard as any
of his predecessors. not except Rcose-
welt. There is this difference, he
points out. Harding makes less fuss
about il. and recognizes there are tlIrce
divisions of the government while
some of his predecessors did not.
Nut Mr.. Coolidge is not talking POI
itics on this nine months vacation IT
he can help it. He is trying to live
up to the framed motto that hangs
over the fireplace in his living room
here:
"A wise old owl sat on an oak.
The more he saw, the lesh he spoi :.
The less he spoke. the more he heard.
Whv can't we be like that old bir1:'
When the Coolidges returned 10
Northampton, they rode from the
train to their home in the depot fliv-
yer. The automobile provided by the
country was left in Washington. Tie
townspeopie addressed him as Cal
and in turn he replied with their
Christian names.
They Enjoy II.
Northampton folks marvel at the
good health of their distinguished fel-
low townsman after a strenuous two
years in Washington society.
I'D think that yer stomach d be
ruined after all them big dinners yer
have to attend" said a Main stree;
friend to the vice president the other
day.
TT would" replied the vice prCsi-
dent smilingly, IF ! ate all that was
sat before me. but | pass most of II
up. or just make believe TO eat it, and
enjoy it, >,
] '.And Mrs. COOLIDGE old friends
ask. 'How's she standing itE
'She enjoys it, answers the yice
president. Guess all wbmen folk like
society. Washington is a very inter
esting city and we have enjoyed orr
work and surroundings Everybody
is kind and considerable but it does
seem. good to get back TO Northamp-
rTw It's like living life over again.
Although we have been aawy only two
years we find good many changes
among our old friends and new faces