Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-28

Many Of the old-line stalwart republicans. staunch
supporters Of the Coolidge administration and recoe-
nized wheelhorses Of the republican machine, are be-
ginning to express more or less disgust relative to the
attitude taken BY the president on the question of his
candidacy for denomination.
That they were amazed when President Coolidre
last August gave publicity to that cryptic vet ambiru.
Gus statement, II Go not choose to run for president"
would be stating IL mildly. Practically all Of them
had formed the opinion that Coolidge would be the can
didate; that there would be little or no opposition in
the national convention, and that the republican party
would enter the campaign with every assurance Of
another sweeping victory.
But the presidents utterance has "put them In the
air" They do not know today whether he is a candi-
date; and II he is . candidate and should receive the
nomination, his statement will react TO the disadvan-
tage Of the party. Leaders in the republican national
organization are beginning to openly express their
disapproval Of the attitude the president has choosed
to assume. They take the view that it is not necessary
for the republican party, the dominant political organ
izaticn of the greatest nation on earth, to resort to
the draft In order to confer the highest honor Of the
nation. Few, II any, Of those leaders would oppose
the nomination Of Coolidge IL he would cone out In
the open and state that he is a candidate for the nom
ination; but few would permit themselves to be drawn
into draft proceedings.
The American public Is also becoming wearied with
the continued silence Of the chief executive. The rank
and file Of the republican party are. Of course, more
~cutspoken than the party leaders, and millions Of re-
publican voters who would have welcomed an oppor-
tunity TO vote for Coolidge next November, have form
sd the opinion that the chief executive IL too small
ealibcr to occupy his present high position.
It is an inherent characteristic OF the American
voter to demand that political leaders play their cards
face UP. They do not take kindly TO the juggling Of
phrases or the use Of ambiguous, uncertain terms and
statements. II the president had frankly stated that
he would not be a candidate for denomination, the
rank and file Of the party would have calmly accepted
the dictum regardless Of the protests Of the politicians
who have waxed fat under the Coolidge plum tree and
who would endeavor 60 prove their gratitude and fealty
by insisting that tn president reconsider.
President Coolidge is doing a great injury to his
party and 70 himself In maintaining his present atti-
tude. X he has no intention Of accepting the nomina-
tion il is a duty he owes his party and the nation to
state so frankly. II he does desire another term he
should be equally frank. However. II he maintains his
present attitude there is danger that the republican
national convention will take on many Of the charac-
t~cristics Of the democratic convention Of 1924. and II
that condition should exist both the party leaders and
the nation will hold President Coolidge responsible.