Warren G. Harding

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Warren G. Harding : biography

02 November 1865 – 02 August 1923

Although Harding was committed to putting the "best minds" on his cabinet, he often rewarded those persons who were active and contributed to his campaign by appointing them to high federal department positions. For instance, Wayne Wheeler, leader of the Anti-Saloon League was literally allowed by Harding to dictate who would serve on the Prohibition Commission.Russell, pp. 440. Graft and corruption charges permeated Harding’s Department of Justice; bootleggers confiscated tens of thousands cases of whiskey through bribery and kickbacks.Werner, pp. 266–272. Harding, out of loyalty, appointed Harry M. Daugherty to U.S. Attorney General because he felt he owed Daugherty for running his 1920 campaign. After the election, many people from the Ohio area moved to Washington, D.C., made their headquarters in a green house on K Street, and would be eventually known as the "Ohio Gang"., Ohio History Central, Retrieved September 5, 2010 The financial and political scandals caused by these men, in addition to Harding’s own personal controversies, severely damaged Harding’s personal reputation and eclipsed his presidential accomplishments.

In his most open challenge to Congress, Harding forced a deferral of a budget-busting World War I soldier’s bonus in an effort to reduce costs.Russell, pp. 460. A 2008 study of presidential rankings for The Times placed Harding at number 34Griffin, J.; Hines, N. , London Sunday Times, October 28, 2008, Retrieved November 24, 2010 and a 2009 C-SPAN survey ranked Harding at 38.

In 2010, a Siena College poll of Presidential scholars placed Harding at 41. The same poll ranked Harding 26 in the Ability to Compromise category., Siena Research Institute, July 1, 2010, Retrieved November 24, 2010

Harding presided over the nation’s initial consecration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This followed similar commemorations established by Britain, France and Italy. The fallen hero was chosen from a group previously interred at Romagne Military Cemetery in France, and was re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Eugene Debs after release from prison by President Harding, visits the White House On December 23, 1921 Harding calmed the 1919–1920 Bolshevik scare, and released an election opponent, socialist leader Eugene Debs, from prison. This was part of an effort to return the United States to "normalcy" after the Great War. Debs, a forceful World War I antiwar activist, had been convicted under sedition charges brought by the Wilson administration for his opposition to the draft during World War I.Frum, p. 41. Despite many political differences between the two candidates Harding commuted Debs’ sentence to time served; however, he was not granted an official Presidential pardon. Debs’ failing health was a contributing factor for the release. Harding granted a general amnesty to 23 prisoners, alleged anarchists and socialists, active in the Red Scare.Graff, pp. 394–398Russell, pp. 487.

Harding’s party suffered the loss of 79 seats in the House in the 1922 mid-term elections, leaving them with a razor thin majority.Russell, pp. 551. The President determined to fill the void of leadership in the party and attempted to take a more aggressive role in setting the legislative agenda.Russell, pp. 552.

The Hardings visited their home community of Marion, Ohio once during the term, when the city celebrated its centennial during the first week of July. Harding arrived on July 3, gave a speech to the community at the Marion County Fairgrounds on July 4, and left the following morning for other speaking commitments.

Joint Session of Congress 1921

On April 12, Harding called a joint session of Congress to address matters that he deemed of national and urgent importance. That speech, considered his best, contained few political platitudes and was enthusiastically received by Congress. On the economic front, Harding urged Congress to create a Bureau of the Budget, cut expenditures, and revise federal tax laws. Harding urged increased protectionist tariffs, lower taxes, and agriculture legislation to help farmers. In the speech, Harding advocated aviation technology for civil and military purposes, development and regulation of radio technology, and passage of a federal anti-lynching law to protect African Americans. Harding advocated, in terms of foreign affairs, a "conference and cooperation" of nations to prevent war—yet flatly stated that the U.S. should not enter the League of Nations. Harding endorsed peace between all former enemy nations from World War I and the funding and liquidation of war debts.Graff, pp. 394–398".