G.O.P. SHOULDN'T BE CONCERNED ABOUT COAL SITUATION"

SENATOR HEFLIN BRINGS UP 'KEEP COOL WITH COOLIDGE' SLOGAN

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 22, 1926, Senator J. Thomas Heflin* (D-Alabama) declared on the Senate floor that since the Republican Party's campaign slogan during the presidential election campaign of 1924 was 'Keep Cool With Coolidge,' "Republicans ought not to be concerned about the coal situation."

Senator Heflin's statement followed a request by Senator Frank B.Willis** (R-Ohio) "to have a letter placed in the record on the coal question."

JFK+50 NOTE

There was chronic overproduction and instability in the coal industry, particularly in the anthracite sector during the Coolidge years.  The President displayed a 'hands off' approach to the situation.

*James Thomas Heflin (1869-1951) was born in Louina, Alabama & attended Auburn University.  JTH served in the US House of Representatives 1904-1920 & US Senate 1920-1931.  He was nicknamed 'Cotton Tom.'

**Frank Bartlett Willis (1871-1928) was born in Lewis Center, Ohio & graduated Ohio Northern University 1894.  FBW served as Governor of Ohio 1915-1917 & U.S. Senator 1921-1928.

SOURCE

"1924 G.O.P. 'Keep Cool' Slogan Bars Party Worry Over Coal, Heflin Holds," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., January 22, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Senator J. Thomas Heflin

D-Alabama

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

"SEVENTY TO FOUR AGAINST"

PROPOSAL ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO LIMIT POTUS TO ONE TERM DEFEATED IN SENATE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On St. Patrick's Day of 1924, the United States Senate rejected a proposed constitutional amendment limiting the POTUS to a single term of four years.

The proposal by Senator Frank B. Willis* (R-Ohio) had been added as an amendment to a joint resolution with Senator George W. Norris** (R-Nebraska) "to eliminate the 'short' sessions of Congress."

The vote on the single term proposal was 70 to 4 against. 

JFK+50 NOTE

For the majority of American voters today who do not want a re-match of the Biden-Trump contest of 2020, had this amendment been approved 100 years ago today (and said amendment ratified by the states required) neither would be eligible as a presidential candidate in 2024 having each served one term.  

George W. Norris is a respected name here in East Tennessee as the sponsor of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 1933.  Norris Dam is named in his honor.

SOURCE

"Senate Votes Down 70 to 4, Single Term Plan for President," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 17, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Senator Frank B. Willis

R-Ohio

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

 

"WHAT PART OF NO DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND"

RNC PLEDGES RENEWAL OF FAITH ON OLD PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN REPUBLICANISM

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 11, 1923, the Republican National Committee, meeting at the Willard Hotel in the Nation's Capital, "pledged renewal of faith on the old principles of American republicanism and began...selecting the place and time the party's nominating convention will meet next spring."

Senator Frank B. Willis* (R-Ohio) warned that "radical forces are seeking to destroy the Constitution of the United States."  He said the G.O.P.** would not tolerate entangling alliances with foreign countries, the League of Nations, or repudiation of outstanding European debts."

*Frank Bartlett Willis (1871-1928) was born in Lewis Center, Ohio & graduated Ohio Northern University.  FBS served in the US House of Representatives 1911-1915, as governor of Ohio 1915-1917 & in US Senate 1921-1928.

**Grand Old Party was a term 1st used by Democrats to mock the Republican Party's role in the Civil War.  In 1859, the governor of Kentucky said in his inaugural address...'The grand old party has never changed its name, its purpose or its principles." 

SOURCES

"'Carry On', G.O.P. Slogan As Party Heads Meet Here," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 11, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Why Is the Republican Party known as the G.O.P.," by Christopher Klein, June 1, 2023, www.history.com/

 

 

Frank B. Willis

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress