Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 302, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1919 — HARDING ENTERS THE RACE [ARTICLE]

HARDING ENTERS THE RACE

OHIO SENATOR ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENCY. . * Washington, Dec. 16.—Senator Harding, ~of Ohio, formally announced tonight his candidacy for the republican presidential nomination in 1920. The announcement was made in a letter to Clare Hughes, of Piqua, 0., chairman of the Miami county republican committee, authorizing the use of the senator’s name in the choosing of delegates to the national convention. Senator Harding is the third republican senator to make known his presidential aspirations, following Senators Poindexter, of Washington, and Johnson, of California. A boom for Senator Sutherland, of West Virginia also has been inaugurated. In his letter, Senator Harding said he had “no personal preference in the matter,” but gladly would cooperate in “making effective the manifest wish of the republicans of the state.” He added, however, that Ke would announce no platform, as that was the duty of the national convention. The senator said he would not make a personal pre-convention campaign because it would necessitate neglect of his senatorial duties. “A private communication to our state organization and many letters to political friends, have expressed my real reluctance to permit the use of my name in this connection,” the letter said, “and it was genuinely sincere, and expressed then my personal and political preference. I do not forget, however, that my first obligation politically is to the republicans of our state, who have so generously honored me.” The senatfir added that he realized the wish of Ohio republicans to present a candidate and that “the fortunes of politics” and activities “incident to official position” had suggested his name, formal consent for the use of which, required by Ohio law, would we written at the proper time.