Warren G. Harding letter to Joseph B. Kelley, April 4, 1920

In this letter dated April 4, 1920, Senator Warren G. Harding writes to Judge Joseph B. Kelley of the Court of Insolvency in Cincinnati, Ohio. Harding thanks Kelley for his comments on the political situation in Cincinnati and an apparent newspaper publication that did not favor Harding's candidacy. He plans to do publicity work in Cincinnati towards the end of his campaign, and hopes Kelley will arrange a meeting with Harry Daugherty, Harding's campaign manager, in Columbus. Throughout Harding's campaign, the Cincinnati area predominantly supported candidate General Leonard Wood of New Hampshire, and Harding spent a good deal trying to sway Cincinnati voters to support his campaign over Wood's. 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