AMERICA’S NEXT PRESIDENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 11 June 1924, Page 9

AMERICA’S NEXT PRESIDENT.

Official Republican

Activities.

THIRD PARTY FEARED. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m., June 10.) NEW YORK, June 10. At Cleveland, Representative Burton, temporary chairman of the Republican National Convention, delivered the keynote speech. For the first time women participated in the convention, four hundred beiug delegates and alternates. The speaker reviewed the record ol the Republican Administration, laying stress ou the Washington Conference and tariff (which had brought a revenue of 200 million dollars more than during any democratic administration) ; and the funding of foreign debts. He regretted the Japanese exclusion, without giving the President time to negotiate with Japan. The farmers had been aided, but the Republican Party could not subscribe to impractical theories. Economy in public expenditure and reduction el taxation must assume the utmost importance.

The speaker hinted at the advocacy of prohibition enforcement, and condemned the increasing belief that the Government is a paternalistic institution. He protested against the impression that there is widespread corruption at Washington. He blamed the war for weakening the moral fibre of certain portions of officialdom. Ho condemned the third party movements, and insisted on the confidence of the people in President Coolidgo. He said the United States could not join tho League of Nations, but when the time was ripe, another Arms Conference would be called. He recqmmended participation in the World Court. Vice-Presidential aspirants include Mr Hoover, Senator Watson, oi Indiana, General Dawes, ex-Senatof Kenyon, Senator Curtis, Governor Hyde of Missouri, Senator Capper, Dr. Burton (President of the Missouri University), and ex-Senator Beveridge. Senator Borah and Senator Lowden have declined the honour. President Harding’s -death has impressed tho need for carefully selecting a VicePresident able to assume the Presidency during an emergency. The platform lias already been written and submitted to President Coolidge, who remains at Washington. Three planks are expected to give trouble: prohibition, Ku Ivlux Klan, and tho Woril Court.

The wet element, led by Presidedi Butles of Columbia University, is expected to stage a sharp though ineffective fight to secure a modification of thed Volstead . Law, while the Southern Republicans will ask for repression against the Klan. President Coolidgo wants Mr Harding’s World Court,’while the Republican Senators favour Senator Pepper’s scheme. • On the eve of the Republican’s convention, the usual excitement prevail!, despite the fact that the chief issue has already long been decided, as President Coolidge’s choice for tho Presidency is, a foregone conclusion. Tho Third Party prospects hang like a black shadow. Senator La Folletto has made an open threat, and tho silence of other radical progressive leaders is even more disturbing.' The in econeilablo senatorial leaders aio sulking in their - tents. Senator La Folletteo, Senator Johnson and Senator Borah have declined to attend the Convention. The Republican leaders fear the Third Party ma.v produce a situation where no candidate has a majority at the electoral college ■■l'ter an election, and the Houso of Representatives may he called upon to choose a president. Deep and perplexing constitutional questions are involved therein. Hie choice of a Vice-Presidential candidate, which in the previous conventions has been a slight and imimporinut matter, lias now become a serious aft air. The present aspirants Tor office would easily grace the presidency itself.