Evening star., 1925-08-01
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

SWAMPSCOTT. Mass, August L.
There is an indefinabe something
that seems TO enter the thoughts Of
the politically minded and signify
definite trend long in advance of n
convention or election. That some
thing just now is almost conviction
among the Republican leaders Of the
country that If Calvin Coolidge wants
the nomination in 1923 he can have
1t. And there are great many in
f1uential Republicans who do not
think ii viii be necessary for him
TO express a desire on the subject, as
they will be more anxious to name
him. particularly IL he is as strong
in 1928 as he is today. than he him
self may be to serve.
With good many Republicans the
wish. of course. is father to the
thought. because the Coolidge admin.
istration has the whole treated
The Republican orga nization consid
eratelF, but il is significant, even
among Democrats of good judgment
in national politics. there is a definite
expectation that they win have to
find candidate 10 oppose Mr.. Cool
idSe.
Situation Extraordinary.
Naturally, the Democrats are not
interested in the Republica view of
how strong Mr.. Coolidge NAV he with
the country as whole. but Al this
moment they will concede that the
President stands ace high with the
Republican party and its sll-importa mt
nompating machinery.
This is An extraordinary situation
in party politics. because Mr.. Coolidge
has actually been in Office only FIVE
months in his first four-year term.
Normally at the end of FIVE months q
President has hardly made a dent. and
The politicia MS shake their heads dubi
ously about making predictions on q
second term. But MIR. Coolidge has
really had two years of service and
flying start on all possible rivals. The
discussion among politicians is just as
clear-cut as IL The mid period in the
first term had been reached and as il
the election for President were less
than two wears away.
There is naturally in the minds o;
those Republicans who might wish 10
support another candidate a feeling
that perhaps Mr.. Coolidge's two years
in Office already may he q handicap.
In that he is expected 10 deal def
nitelN with national problems without
the usual allowances heinz made for
unfamiliarity in Office during the FIRST
year. Their idea seems TO he that Mr..
CoollnSe has more time in which TO
make mistakes that may moi be for.
given.
President Is Silent.
Mr.. Coolidge himself has not said a
Word to any one about 1928. He is TOO
shreWd a politician 10 allow any body
TO approach him on the subject. but
he is human in his political make.up.
ano he has received enough communi-
cations from well-wishers 10 indicate
tnat ne Is strongly regarded even Al
this early date as the nominee for a
second term. There is a story told
ABOUT Mr. Coolidge when he was presi.
dent OF the Massachusetts Senate.
Despite the earnest pleas of his politi-
cal friends that he announce himself
as a ca andidate for lieutenant gov.
ernor. Mr.. Coolidge would not saw a
word until after the Senate had ended
irs legislative session. He declared
that the reason for his silence was an
unwillingness 10 project the question
OF a successor to himself into the
ranks of the Senate. He insisted that
If he had made an earIv announce.
ment every decision he made in the
Senate would be viewed as political.
Mr.. Coolidge is in somewhst para
lei situation today. Even IL he is think |
ing seriously of ending his public /!
service in 1928. it would be politically |
un"Ise 10 say so because his influence
in his own party would tend to dimin- |
ish rather than increase and faction
alism would develop as the conse- |
Quence of different political booms /
particularly in Congress. where presi. |
Dental aspirants have become un- |
usually numerous since; the RepubH- |
Ca party chose q United States Sene.
tor in 1920 as the tandard bearer.
Congress Fight In Ofius.
SO long as Mr.. Coolidge remains
silent. therefore. he keeps political |
unity for himself. Another rea son for |
avoiding premature indication of his T,
plan is the fact that the congressional !
elections of 1925 are on the horizon |
1t will in reality be a-test of Mr. Cool
idSes strength. Already his support
ers are planning that kind of a cam
paign. Indeed. they count on Mr.. |
Coolidge's popularity TO help retain a
Republican majority. The Democrats !
VIII not be slow to characterize the |
loss OF either House as a reputation
of the Coolidge administration The
public may not realize it, but among
the politicians the 1925 and 1928 cam
pa1gns are one and the same thing be-
cause of the definite feeling that if all /
goes we'll in the congressional fight
Mr.. Coolidge will be the inevitable
nominee TO succeed himself
Copyright. 1920