National Affairs: In Topeka

Flags and bunting flew in Topeka, Kan. An enormous portrait of the inmate was hung outside a bedroom window of a modest frame house in a leafy residential street. Citizens made holiday. Indians made whoopee. Senator Simeon D. Fess of Ohio made a speech—and Senator Charles Curtis of Kansas became formally aware that he was Number Two Man of the G. O. P.

Said Senator Fess: “. . . Party responsibility . . . welfare of the country. . . . Prosperity . . . tax reduction . . . sympathy for the agriculturalist . . . enforcement of law … I congratulate you . . . assured success . . . ability, integrity and devotion to public welfare. . . .”

Said Nominee Curtis: “… I accept the nomination. … It is not in the nature of man to refuse . . . humbleness . . . neighbors and friends . . . loyal . . . prosperity . . . prosperity. …”

Senator Curtis then made 14 solemn promises, of which the following phrase was typical: “To enforce the laws without fear or favor.” He discussed Farm Relief for twelve paragraphs, suggesting that a small, nonpartisan, joint committee of Congress be appointed to work out a plan. To Law Enforcement he gave five very Dry paragraphs: “The Constitution of the United States is the Keystone of our national strength, our pride in the hour of prosperity, our consolation and rallying point under every pressure of adversity . . . etc., etc.” “I believe in meeting an issue squarely,” he said. Next came Women, then a review of Coolidge Economy, then a plea for Debt Reduction now.

“The policies of Calvin Coolidge are those of our party. . . . They are Mr. Hoover’s, and they are mine. They are those of Washington, Lincoln and Roosevelt. . . . We can well be proud . . . united and impenetrable front . . . loyal and united . . . assured of a deserved and decisive majority vote of the people.”

Pleased, Nominee Hoover invited Nominee Curtis to attend meetings of his cabinet. Pleased, Nominee Curtis accepted.