Date: July 22, 1924
Location: Clinton, NY
(Original document available here)
Dear Mr. President;-
Your letter of July 16th has been forwarded to me here.
I cannot find that as yet people are thinking very much about particular issues and I have’nt the platforms here to help me but I read them in the newspapers when they came out. I think the serious issues which really exist, no matter how they may be disguised in the platforms, are about as follows;-
(1) Shall we defend the American system of individual enterprise or shall we subject all enterprise to political power through government ownership and control? If we are to defend it must be through the Republican Party because LaFollette, with his lunatic fringe, is attempting to destroy, and the Democratic Party, always lukewarm toward business enterprise, is seeking to get the benefit of his attempt.
(2) Is actual economy in public expenditure as distinguished from mere talk about it, to be approved by the voters.
(3) Is the action of the present administration in urging and insisting upon the reduction of taxes, and in a great measure obtaining it, to be approved or disapproved.
(4) Is the present customs tariff to be abandoned in favor of a tariff which gives no protection whatever to American industry as against the present conditions of depreciated currency and unemployment in Europe.
(5) Does the country approve the Republican policy of becoming a member of the World Court and taking every opportunity for helpfulness in the affairs of the Community of Nations without being involved ourselves in European controversies, as for example the Arms Conference Treaties, the Dawes report, etc., etc. As opposed to this policy the Democratic party seems to have been unable to agree on any policy whatever but proposes to do whatever it finds to be popular. (Note). An estimate should be made of the time, the number of persons required, and the cost of such a referendum as the Democrats propose in order to learn what their policy should be.
(6) Are the farmers of the country ready to abandon the quack remedies proposed in order to secure their votes and responsible for much of their troubles, and to have their business established after really thorough and scientific study upon such a basis that it can defend itself in its relations to other businesses.
No matter what the platforms and stump speakers say these are the questions upon which the people will really vote at the next election, and I think that they ought to be made to understand that fact. There are other questions of course which may prove of the first order. The question of block rule, or minority rule, or rule by bargain and trade, as distinguished from the control of a majority, may come around to be a prominent question. I do not at this moment quite see how the lines can be drawn regarding them.
I know I have been very vague but I could not be otherwise without a degree of examination and study for which there is no time.
With the kindest regards and good wishes, dear Mr. President, I am,
Always faithfully yours,
Elihu Root
Citation: Vermont Historical Society
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Lydia Stinnett, who prepared this document for digital publication.