The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-05-02
LIKE COOLIDGE
AS VOTE GETTER
G. o. p. POLITICIANS ALSO THINK
HE GAINS FROM REBUKE TO
SENATE INVESTIGATORS
BY EDWARD 3. CLARK

SSi SSaAA
In stating conditions sometimes Is
necessary to serve truths purpose. Re-
publican politicians here are showing
no great personal enthusiasm over
President Coolidge as the party
nominee, but seemingly they are be-
coming convinced that he will be a
good vote-getter. In the recent pri-
marieS proof has been adduced TO
buttress this belief
Signs in Washington point to the
conclusion that President Coolidge has
won additional support from the coun-
try by his sharp letter to the law
makers in administration antagonism
TO the method and the means sena-
torially suggested for what really
amounts TO an investigation into the
private affairs of the secretary OF the
treasury. Washington seems to think
that the Presidents method of attack
may have been outlined by Mr.. Mellon
but it does not regard this as sapping
the strength of it in any way.
1t is said by Republicans here that
the Democrats in the senate seem to
realize, even while sticking to their
original position, that the country Is
resenting their proposal of private
counsel TO help them find things out
about the Treasury department, and as
a companion effort to find things out
about the treasury secretary. If there
be those who find partisanship in this,
1t might be said that suggestion for
the employment of private counsel
came from both Republican and Demo
cratic sources.
Cleveland Set Precedent.
A Democratic precedent for the
position taken by the President In
this matter has been found. 1t was
President Cleveland who refused q
demand, made 1t is true enough by
Republican senator, that he send
certain confidential papers to the
senate. Grover Cleveland stood on his
constitutional rights in that case and
President Coolidge has stood on his
constitutional rights in the current
case.
The thing that is of particular i'm
portance in this precedent matter is
that Republicans In that day lost In
their fight, and moreover the position
taken by Cleveland was endorsed by
the press and the people of the coun-
try.
Republicans here seem to think that
what happened in the Cleveland case
will happen in the Coolidge case. Wash
ington still Is hearing words of praise
for the Presidents position in the
Mellon matter. AS the Republicans
view it Mr.. Mellon, although much
attacked man, is recognized by the
country for his ability, and moreover
the feeling still exists here that the
Mellon tax plan which the house COM
promised upon and which probably
will not be endorsed by the senate
because Of a combination of Demo-
cratic and Republican opposition, still
is extremely popular with the country.
President Coolidge is conservative
and Mr.. Mellon is a conservative. The
attacks on both come largely from
advanced thinkers" in the two parties,
except for a few Democratic conserva-
tive assailants who probably entered
the fight because they thought they
must do so In order to keep intact their
following of senatorial radicals of both
parties.
Its Effect on Nomination Talk.
One effect of the recent happenings
In the two parties is noticeable. Many
of the Democratic leaders here are
beginning to think that the nomina-
ton of at least a semi-conservative
Democrat for the presidency is
necessary in order TO win the election
They think apparently that if Cool
idge is the Republican candidate, as he
will be, and if a semi-conservative
Democrat also is a candidate, a third
party will be inevitable, but that In
stead of losing by the happening of
third party's entrance into the field,
the Democracy will win through a
repetition of what happened in that
year of upsets, 1912.
In Washington letters recently it
was said that there was an unmistak-
able ripple of interest In the candi-
dacy, restrained so far as personal
effort is concerned, of John w. Davis,
one time ambassador TO Great Britain
and now a lawyer of note and of prop
erly lucrative practice in New York
city.
Within a day or two the reawakened
interest in Mr.. Davis has come TO
the attention of some Democrats who
hitherto had thought him impossible
as a candidate. Seemingly many men
here expect the three or four Demo-
Gratis whose names have been most
prominently mentioned for the candi-
dacy to kill one another off in the
convention.
1t appears today as If a drive were
to be made to secure for Mr. Davis
the place of residuary legatee of the
votes of the delegates who finally must
desert their principals.
John w. Davis is known as a pro-
gressive-conservative whatever that
may mean. He makes an appealing
speech and he certainly has an ap-
pealing presence. His candidacy is not
at all as ungrateful TO some of the
progressives, and even radical Demo
Gratis, as is that of one or two of the
other progressives. Some McAdoo men
it is true, do not like him, but seem
ingly there are some progressives III