Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1920 — A CHANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION [ARTICLE]

A CHANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION

In a letter to one of his friends and supporters, Senator Johnson says that he could “cheerfully and enthusiastically go forward with the Republican party” provided Senator Harding in his speech of acceptance “honestly, frankly and courageously

takes his position in favor of the Americanism that is oursA That means, from the Johnson point of view, opposition to the league of nations. Senator Johnson continues: | The Republican platform plank on the league of nations was not such as I would have written, but nevertheless its language seemed to me capable of but one construction. The big issue which has engrossed me ( for so long and which has become a part of my life, seems to have been 1 met by both platforms, the Republic-1 ans assuming the position I have, taken from the first, and the Democrats the contrary position in favor of the league. Under these circumstances it seems to me that men who viewed this overshadowing issue as I did could consistently follow but one course, and that was the acceptance of the party opposing the league and opposition to the party approving it. Clearly Senator Harding will have an opportunity to show his skill as an expositor and interpreter. Shortly after his - nomination, former President Taft announced that he would support the candidate and the platform, believing that the latter was capable of a construction wholly favorable to the league of nations, of which Mr. Taft is an ardent champion. Now Senator Johnson says that the platform is “capable of but one construction,” and he accepts it as committing the Republican party to opposition to the league. Such a pronouncement stands' in great need of “clarifying reservations,” and for these the country is looking, with a high degree of in- ! terest, to Senator Harding. In his i speech of acceptance he will give 1 his interpretation of the platform,

and then the country—and Senator Johnson- —will know just what line of action he would take should he be elected President. There are many Republicans who are champions of the league of nations, and who believe that the party platform permits them to labor for its adoption. Their interest in the forthcoming statement of the candidate is quite as great as that of Senator Johnson. Whatever position Senator Harding assumes, he will, of course, take it “honestly, frankly and courageously.”—lndianapolis News (Rep.) —■ _ Lieutenant Governor Bush, presiding officer of the state senate during Gov. Goodrich’s second special session, gave his colleagues a hard rap Monday, when trying to round up a quorum to do business and, losing patience, said: “I ani going to tell the doorkeepers Ifo go to the hotels and arrest those senators there and bring them in here. Some of the senators are at home making hay and some of here might as well be at home making hay. If some of the absent senators had stood for some of the things I have stood for at the last regular session they • wouldn’t need to be here now.” And he was right. Had his brother Republicans in the senate listened to Bush rather than Goodrich et al it would not have been necessary to be convened in special session twice within a period of a few months to rectify mistakes of a body which Gov. Goodrich characterized on its adjournment as “the best legislature a in 50 years.”

We note that Representative W.

L. Wood of this district had the nerve to vote against the medical examination bill, providing that a couple desiring to get married must first be examined by a physician, at $2 per, and receive a certificate that each is free from any communicable disease they can secure a marriage license in Indiana. ‘‘The bill passed the house 1 Monday by a' vote of 74 to 14, and Mr. Wood was one of the 12 Republicans voting against it. We believe this provision will do more harm than good, should it become a law.