, 1923-08-07
Transferring National Power

It is a splendid vindication of the great c%onstitu-
ton upon which the American government rests
that the administration may change over night and
the affairs of the country both governmental and
private proceed uninterruptedly without the slight
est hesitation. The passing of Harding and the
accession of Coolidge caused not the slightest po-
litical or economic disturbance. Under what other
form of government could such momentous events
occur with perfect safety and continued good or
der?
In this particular case, to Americans 1t was the
simple transfer of the greatest political power In
the world from the safe hands Of ono person to
the safe hands of another person. Mr.. Coolidges
close association with the administration of the
late President Harding, made this especially easy.
His hearty support of his chiefs policies is well
Known. The new president will be surrounded by
the same men who carried those policies to such
successful application Already has announcement
been made that the strictest economy will continue
to be p%racticed, the reduction of the debt will go
on, the lessening of the tax burden will be accom-
.plished as the condition Of the treasury warrants,
and the administration of the executive depart
ments will be on the same high plane of efficiency
as before.
President Coolidges administration Will be based
essentially on law and order. He became a national
figure, when, as governor of Massachusetts,, he
stood out boldly against the striking Boston police
men. "There is no right to strike said he, on that
occasion, against the public safety of anybody,
anywhere, anytime" 1t was probably that cour-
dlCIlt Idh III Liz Az VI hAo
career, that brought him prominently to the at
t%ention of the Chicago convention in 1920 and won
him the vice presidential nomination.
= The new presidents concern for the welfare of
the people, as distinguished from the interests of
any special class, has been evidenced on numerous
occasions since the Boston police episode. 81 I'm
for a government of all the people," he declared
at another time, founded on right, and truth, and
Justice. | am against a government of force and
Terrorism, of group, or class, or selfish interest"
1T is his bold championship of the rights of the
public at large that has endeared him to the hearts
of the people, and that assures their support If his
term as president develops any emergency in which
those rights are assailed.
But Mr.. Coolidge's vigorous espousal Of the pub
lies cause has not blinded his Judgment to the
rights of organized labor. Representatives of labor
who dealt with him when he was governor of Mass
achusetts testify to his fair treatment of them.
~'In all my years of work with the legislature" re
marked one Massachusetts labor official, 81 have
never met a man in whose sense of justice and
courage 1 had more trust" AS president Mr.. Cool
idge will have frequent opportunity to weigh the
counter claims of labor and employers of labor
An various fields and will be called upon to strike
a balance that will be fair to both parties while
conserving the interests of the people at large. His
record in that respect challenges our confidence.
He is n worker without ostentation. 1--WE need
more of the office desk" he once remarked, "and
Jess of the show-window in politics. Let men in Of
flee substitute the midnight oil for the limelight."
We may rest assured that those thoughts will con-
~trol his actions while in the White House, and
that reports of actual accomplishments, rather
than promises of future achievements, will feature
the news from the executive mansion.
= President Coolidge is fortunate in having in
shis wife an aid to his success as chief executive.
making herself popular with her associates, and a
thigh degree of personal grace and charm, Mrs.
Coolidge will emulate the fascinating social atmos.
phere which Mrs. Harding bestowed upon the
White House.
. The administration of President Coolidge will
have the support of the people. He deserves only
tgood wishes for his success, and there is every in
dication that he possesses them in generous mea-
sure.