Evening star., 1928-06-04
Silence and Consent.

President Coolidge viii be balloted
for at the Republican national conven-
ton unless he issues a statement de-
elaring that he viii not have the presi-
Dental nomination. This is the word
from New York. from Connecticut and
from Vermont Silence on the part of
the President will be construed as
"consent' by the leaders of the draft"
movement, notwithstanding the re-
peated assertions of Mr.. Coolidge that
he does not wish TO run. To many
Republicans it is inconceivable that
President Coolidge would permit him.
self TO be nominated by his party only
70 turn down the honor after it shall
have been offered him And most Re-
publicans, believing that the President
has turned his back sQuarely on the
nomination. do not think the President
would accept the nomination under
any circumstances. During his service
IN the White House and before. Mr..
Coolidge has established a remarkable
record for consistency. He does not
back-track. When he takes position.
he takes it after due deliberation, and,
having taken it, sticks to it.
THE President has a reputation also
for silence. But on every occasion when
circumstances have demanded that he
announce his position on important
matters, he has done so in no uncertain
terms. In some quarters it is urged
that the President cannot with pro-
priety decline the presidential nomina-
tion because IL has not yet been ten
dered him: that he spoke advisedly
when he said last August. Il do not
choose to run" In the minds OF those
who believe Mr.. Coolidge will not run
for President the question arises today,
when will the final. definite declara-
tion be made by Mr.. Coolidge?" To
some it appears that he must issue
statement or otherwise inform those
intent upon drafting him before the
first ballot for the presidential nomina-
ton is taken at Kansas City. To others
II appears that no word viii come from
the President until some Of the dele
gates IN the convention have actually
cast their votes for his nomination.
Whatever the decision OF the President
In this matter. If he permits group
OF delegates to vote for him on the
irst ballot in the convention and after
that continues to remain silent, his
Aence viii be interpreted as full con-
sent that the convention renominate
him.
The President holds in the palm OF
his hand the key TO the uncertain sit
uation which confronts the delegates
and the Republican leaders. II he
maintains silence, from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred delegates
mar vote for him on the first ballot.
Many, II not all. Of these delegates
would vote on the first ballot for Her
bert Hoover with the President def
nitely out Of the running. With Presi-
dent Coolidge out Of the picture Mr..
Hoover is looked upon as the admins
tration candidate in contradlstinction
20 other candidates who have definitely
opposed the President on important
issues. Many Of the members OF the
PRESIDENTS cabinet have declared their
support Of Mr. Hooyer's candidacy, as
have other officials Of importance IN
the present administration Continued
silence on the part Of the President Is
TIE hope Of Hoover candidates.
Next TO the "fayortte son" method
Of attack, the unpledged delegation IA
.orzble 70 the denomination Of the
President has been the important >ea-
tare Of the strategy OF the field"
wnics1 is seeking 10 stop" Mr.. Hoover
81 Kansas City. In their hearts these
opponents Of Mr.. Hoover do not believe
that the President would accept the
nomination IL it were offered him. But
their hope Is that enough delegates viii
vote for the President 10 prevent a
prompt nomination Of the Secretary
Of Commerce and In the end bring
about q cislntegration Of the Hoover
forces in the convention. No one has
ever get successfully accused the Presi-
dent Of being deficient in political un-
derEtanding. Nor does IT appear that he
Will now play into the hands Of anti
administration candidates for the Re-
publican nomination.
- -sAa~ -
June is the month dedicated 70 brides