Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-17
POINTS To POISE
OF COOLIDGE IN.
SANDER REGIME

Boston, Apr. 16.-The American
electorate has never, yet failed to
rebuke studied efforts to besmirch
an honest. upright leader of her
people, and in the coming presiden-
ttal election Calvin Coolidge will
lead the American people along the
safe route Of their national ambi-
ton. Senator Simeon D. Tess of Ohio
said in an address tonight at the
New England Coolidge dinner given
by the Republican Club of Massa-
chusetts in Symphony hall.
THE senate has for the time be-
ing laid aside its legislative function
and turned itself into a political
training ground for partisan pur-
poses" Senator Fess said. Its at
mosphere Is not one of elaboration
but OF inquisition. Its oratory is
addressed not to the senate but rath-
err to the gallery and headlines. The
Importance OF measures is lost in
the necessity for votes. Party ad-
vantage as the dominant motive is
not dangerous where majority con-
troll Is possible. But it becomes Sc
rious where factional differences de-
stroy party solidarity and all party
responsibility by permitting minority
control.
This situation at Washington &C
counts for the peculiar political ma
neuvers which have precipitated this
campaign of SANDER in which the
senate has reached an alarmingly
low level as a deliberative body. The
remedy lies with the electorate
which must pay the frightful cost
Of such conditions.
"In the midst Of this orgy of
SANDER. this spree Of undertaking.
this riot of vituperation and recrim-
ination. where stalwart statesmen
seem to have lost their former
poise. where a self-respecting mi
nority has abandoned a test of po-
itical theories for tryout Of mere
vaudeville. to the disgust of senators
on both sides Of the aisle and the
amazement Of the country at large.
there looms one figure. the leader at
the head of the government, con-
cerned over the trend of the forces
Of disintegtation displayed in legis-
lative circles. he has uttered q time
~ caution, IL not warning, to call
back the senate to its proper func-
ton of legislation. In the midst of
the storm of abuse there he stands,
unmoved by clamor, his course de-
termired by conscientious scruples
OF what Is the just course to take.
Few are his words, decisive Is his
Judgment. His comprehension of pend
ing problems Is broad. his vision clear
and his actions dauntless. His concep-
ton of public duty forestalls the en-
v lntr nr
While he highly prizes the honor of the
great office which he adorns, he refuses
to sacrifice his chances to serve the
public by yielding to the pressure of
party advantage against his judgment
of proper official conduct. The country
Is fortunate in having ut its head at
this time this man, a leader of whom
1t is said that he has more goods on
the shelf and less in the show window
than any man Of our history.
I'm the midst of the slime and mud
Of an approaching presidential cleo
ton the filth has not touched him, his
armor IN untouched. In the labored
attempt of misguided politicians to
connect him with recent oil transact
lions his good name Is untarnished,
his honor unsullied and his maligners
indicted by an outraged public opinion"
Senator Tess declared that the Amer
lean people appreciate the record of
the administration. the concrete
achievements of which would be "de-
termining factors in the formation of
their Judgment to be expressed at the
polls.
1.-THE labored efforts to create a po-
litical issue. the 'holier-than-thou'
spasm of certain senators over what
they stigmatize as scandals, will not
be misinterpreted." he continued. 1.-THE
American electorate Is quick to detect
a purpose and, If mistake not, 1t will
rebuke the unparalleled spectacle dis
played by the Senate's grand jury per-
Torrance during the last four months.
1.-THE conduct Of the Senate as an
omen grand jury into which by the
agency of committees and through
which by immunity Of members there
has been pouring the slime and filth OF
neryerted men and women character
OF testimony which would be excluded
from any court in the nation bur which
ia being sought and received py the
Senate under the excuse that 1t is an
investigation and not trial. to say the
least will be sharply scrutinized by the
people" E.