Warren G. Harding letter to Harry M. Daugherty, May 17, 1920

In this letter, dated May 17, 1920, Senator Warren G. Harding writes to his campaign manager, Harry Daugherty, to report on a two hour interview he had with Rudolph Hynicka, Cincinnati politician and the Ohio representative for the Republican National Committee. The interview went well, with both hoping to resolve political tension in Ohio, but Harding cannot wholly trust anything Hynicka says. The two left the interview with a proposal for a conference of representatives from opposing sides of the political factions in Ohio, including Colonel Proctor and other Leonard Wood supporters. He references the political factions in tensions Illinois between Governor Frank Orren Lowden and Mayor of Chicago William Hale Thompson. This letter is part of the Warren G. Harding Papers (MSS 345). This collection includes correspondence, business records, and other materials documenting Harding’s business career as owner and editor-in-chief of The Daily Marion Star, as well as the various stages of his political career. A significant portion of the collection, and what’s available on Ohio Memory, highlights his 1920 presidential campaign, spanning just before publicly announcing his candidacy to handily defeating Ohio Governor James M. Cox in the election. Correspondents include both Ohio and national businessmen, political figures, and ordinary citizens writing with questions, support, congratulatory notes, and campaign advice. Some of the most interesting insights into the tumultuous political climate in the U.S., the extreme factionalism within the Republican Party in Ohio, and Harding’s campaign strategies are described in letters between Harding and his campaign manager, Harry M. Daugherty. Some of the topics addressed include women’s suffrage, Prohibition, the League of Nations, African American representation and issues, and lingering peace negotiations following World War I