Springtime for Harding

Turning our attention to U.S. politics in March of 1923, we find President Warren Harding heading out of town.

"Wonder If the President Had a Tip on This Spring Weather" by Clifford Berryman in Washington Evening Star, March 7, 1923

President Harding's golf vacation to Florida coincided with a mighty snowstorm throughout the Midwest and up and down the East Coast.

"Back to Normalcy" by Dennis McCarthy in New Orleans Times-Picayune, March 13, 1923

Louisianan McCarthy probably didn't begrudge the president for heading south ahead of the storm.

No caption, by Daniel Fitzpatrick in St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 13, 1923

The political prisoners Daniel Fitzpatrick might have had in mind were labor organizers, suspected German sympathizers, socialists, and antiwar activists.

"I See in The Papers That Congress Has Adjourned" by Wm. F. Canan in Minneapolis Star, March 12, 1923

It's not is if there were important business for Harding to deal with. The new Congress had just been sworn in, but had just as quickly been adjourned.

"Farmer Daugherty Breaks the Record for Early Planting" by Nelson Harding in Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 21, 1923

Back in Washington, Harry Daugherty, the Attorney General of the U.S. and a longtime buddy of Harding's, was confidently planning the president's reelection campaign.

"One Opposing Element" by Elmer Bushnell for Central Press Assn., ca. March 26, 1923

As the incumbent, Harding would have been heavily favored for renomination in 1924 (had he lived), and, given the mood of the times, it is likely that his "return to normalcy" would have gotten him reelected. But while his reelection announcement convinced others such as Senators William Borah and Hiram Johnson to clear the field, Harding faced one prominent rival from within his own party: Senator Robert LaFollette of Wisconsin.

"He Thinks He's St. Patrick" by Carey Orr in Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1923

Borah, Johnson, and LaFollette were leaders of the Progressive wing of the Republican Party, emboldened by the losses suffered by the Establishment wing in the 1922 congressional elections. The Republican Party maintained majorities in the House and Senate, but by slim enough margins that the Progressives wielded considerable clout in the legislature.

"Only Four More Days!" by Clifford Berryman in Washington Sunday Star, March 11, 1923

We'll be talking about "Fighting Bob" LaFollette plenty over the next year or so. In the meantime, I leave you with this reminder that if you lived in the U.S. 100 years ago, your tax report to the government would be due on the Ides of March.