Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-23

plieu' Inc atmosphere OF the White
House does not lend itself to petty
partisan decisions. OF course I am a
thorough believer in the principles Of
pose that any great political party is
the sole repository Of all the knowl-
edge and all the wisdom of the country
would be arrogant bigotry.
TO Serve Whole People
1T Is the duty Of the president to
serve the whole people. A narrow and
bitter partisanship is a distinct handi-
cap to any person in the discharge Of
the functions Of public Office. We car
ry on our government under a two-par-
ty system. While bitterness and big
otry are to be deprecated an enlight-
ened interest in party affairs Is to be
commended. The only remedy for a
narrow partisanship is wider knowl-
edge Of and interest in public affairs.
We are not so much in danger OF mis-
directed party zeal in this country
as we are from the Indifferent citizen
who fails to discharge the obligations
of his citizenship at the primaries
and in the final elections. If those
who are qualified to vote will dill
gently and prayerfulIy perform their
duty, the government Of our country
will not cease to be wisely and safely
administered"
There are a lot Of little questions
which people wonder about" I said.
''They are almost too trivial to ask.
But as long as human nature remains
as it is the people are going to be in
terested in very trivial personal
things"
Anybody who has lived in q small
town knows that" the president
chuckled. go on with your Ques-
tons"
Public Speaking . Strain
well, for example, It is said that
even very experienced public speakers
always feel nervous before beginning
an address: do you?"
at is always something Of a strain
to make an address. But now in ap-
pearing before an audience I do not
feel much nervousness"
How does your hand feel when you
have shaken hands with hundreds Of
people?"
ANY part Of the body which Is
given unusual exercise adapts itself
to the conditions. shake hands with
so many people every day that my
hand had become toughened and 1t
does not get tired nor sub.ect me to
any discomfort"
DO you like the Washington press
correspondents"
II do. I have found them active,
industrious and accurate. They are
body who appreciate the public respon-
sibility which they are under, fairly
to interpret. the actions of the govern
ment to their constituents
How in the world do you find time
to shop or to see your doctor or your
dentist?"
No Time to Shop
IT do not find time to do any shop
ping. Such things as 1 may need are
brought to the White House, where I
make my selections. The White House
physician comes to see me at breakfast
time and at dinner time. His attention
is mostly confined to looking at me,
inquiring If I am all right, and finding
out that I am.
MY vacation has done me lot of
good" he continued. II am in first
class physical condition. And, while
the work Of the executive increases
every year, 1t is not beyond the capa-
city of one man to discharge. There
is no way that 1t can be much re-
lieved. The people accept no sub
stitution for the president. In my
own experience I have found it most
helpful to find out what the constitu-
ton and law require the executive to
do and confine myself to doing that.
Presidents are broken down by out
side enterprises. Travelling about the
country. making speeches, under
taking to furnish inspiration and
leadership for all the good causes In
the land are some of them. Then
again. the president ought to perform
no details that can be turned over
to subordinates. 1t is good plan to
let the members of the cabinet run
their departments and the heads of
the other independent executive COM
missions run their departments. This
does not mean that there should not
be constant conference and exchange
of views with advice and direction,
but that the details should be left to
that there is only one ex-president |
living"
Work lrksome at Times
but there must be time when the
work becomes very irksome." l said. |
There are such times" he answer |
ed. In that respect the President |
of the United States Is no different !
from any other citizen. From my
own experience and observation |
have come to the conclusion that 1t |
1t rather natural for all of us in |
whatsoever state we find ourselves |
to wish we were in some other. A
great many people come to me de- |
string to better their position. have |
most of the time felt the same way |
myself. When 1 was a boy at home |
wanted to do something else besides !
work on the farm. But this DISPOSE !
ton has still followed me good deal !
through all the changes have ex- |
perienced and even now. Mrs. Coo
Idge and I say to each other some !
times that we wish we could go !,
home. From this have come to the |
conclusion that whatever position we |
may find ourselves other people are |
not any better off than We are. We |
only think they are. Contentment is |
very difficult lesson for Americans |
to learn. do not say we ought to |
be satisfied. But l have come to the |
conclusion that most of us are about |
as well off as we can be; change |
would not make us feel any better. |
More money would not satisfy u.s."
Plans Of Future Undecided
what will You do when you leave
office"
II have never given any thought
as to what / might do after I leave |
public life. I have a farm in Ver-
mont on which I feel confident |
could support myself and my fam
lily. My old law office is in North
ampton. I am. therefore, not wor-
ried about the future"
But there must be some pretty |
big worries in the present. Do they
interfere with your sleep?"
Il have never had any trouble |
about going to sleep. But unsolved |
demands wake me up earlier in the
morning. The more pressing they
are the earlier they awaken me. |
There is a great deal of consolation |