The Evening Star TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1920.

Evening Star, Issue 17379, 15 June 1920, Page 4

The Evening Star TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1920.

The first round of the lively contest for the Presidency of the United States has resulted in the nomination by the Republican Convention at Chicago of Senator Warren G.. Harding, of Ohio, with Calvin Coolidge, Governor of Massachusetts, as the Convention's nominee for the Vice-Presidency. It is not now necessary to discuss either the names or claims of the other contestants put forward by the Republicans, but could not, as the ,Araricans say, "stay put," or the wild guesses and wilder predictions that were cabled from Chicago as news. It will be of more interost to reduce the apparent confusion that always surrounds a Presi-| dential election, and to give a few facts about the candidates whose prospects are worth serious consideration. What maybe termed the second round of the contest will be decided at San Francisco next week, when tho Democrats' Convention elect by ballot their candidates for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency. The final elections take placo, as always, on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which falls this year on the second day in the month. The Presidentelect assumes office in the following March. It should first of all be understood, though it may not be appreciably endorsed, that in the United States the Presidential election is the greatest event in tho world. Sure I This year it is by far the most momentous thing in history, for the Americans without humor still believe that they are the hope of the world and the torch-bearers of crusading civilisation. Flor other nations, whose great decisions are made with less fuss, it is not really a disconcerting conceit. It is essential to not-© that the President of the United States is the only executive officer who reaches his position by election, the appointment of all others being either in his hands (subject to the Senate's confirmation) or regulated by law. Though the Vice-President is actually elected along with the President, he is really no part of the Executive. His sole function is to preside oveF the Senate without a vote, unless in the case of a tie. Tn event of the President's removal by death, resignation, or inability the VicePresident automatically succeeds to the position of chief executive officer. So far only four Vice-Presidents have so succeeded—Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson, and Arthur. Many people have thought lately that Vice-President Marshall should have been added to that list. The people of the United States do not vote directly for the President and Vice-President, but for electors froin their separate States who are pledged to cast their votes for particular candidates. Each State is entitled to a number of electors equal to its number of senators and representatives in Congress. These electors, all pledged to the people to vote for certain men, are known as electoral colleges. The scope for "influence" and party tactics is immense, while the result is generally in doubt to the end, for the pledge is not by any means inviolable.

The Fight for the Presidency.

Among the Democratic candidates is included Dr Woodrow Wilson, who has been formally proposed for a third term. There is nothing in the Constitution to prevent him running, but a third term as President is practically prohibited by popular prejudice against it. Possibly America, like many other countries, has had enough of the professorial idealist and the international straw-splittei\ The United States needs a vigorous man, whose strength will not be spent on splitting straws. So President Wilson may be counted out on the score of physical inability. The names of several strom r men of outstanding ability have been mentioned as possible Democratic- candidates. Mr James W. Gerard, of New York City, the famous Ambassador to Germany, has admitted willingness to stand in the event of President Wilson declining to become a candidate. Mr Gerard would, however, be handicapped by his friends, the Hearst Press. Another New York State candidate is ex-Secretary of the Treasury William G. M'Adoo, who has the knack of making Tammany enemies. He is a son-in-law of President Wilson. Some favor has already gone to Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, of Ohio, who has }lr Wilson's support. Other possible candidates* are Attorney-General A. Mitchell Palmer, of Pennsylvania, whose administration and vigorous activities in the anti-red campaign have won him many admirers; Secretary of the Treasury Carter Glass, of Virginia, author of the Federal Reserve Act; Senator Atlee Poinerene, of Ohio, a Princeton graduate, and one of the most active men in the Senate; Mr Brand Whitlock, of Ohio,' at present Ambassador to Belgium; and Mr Herbert C. Hoover, of California, Food Director for Europe. These are the names that have excited interest in the United States; but it is certain that many more will come into prominence next week, for each Convention dearly loves to run a few " dark horses." Senator Harding, who now carries the Republican standard, has great business interests behind him. He is an excellent speaker, and shows remarkable energy for his 54 years. He is described as being' of the M'Kinley type—"safe, sound, courageous, and always ready to listen to counsel." He is a, brilliant journalist, and editor and owner of the 'Marion Star' (Ohio). Calvin Coolidge stands for law and order, and believes in smiting vigorously any farm of .strike that hits at the power and progress of the State. His methods are short and sharp, as he demonstrated so vividly in the breaking of the Boston police strike Altogether there is no dearth of good men for the Presidency, but it is yet too early to speculate. President Wilson has at least made the world ripe for a change iu American Presidental methods.