Our Presidents
                       Calvin Coolidge
                            Thirtieth
                          1923 - 1929

Our thirtieth "President Calvin Coolidge" was born in Plymouth, Vermont the son of a storekeeper. President Coolidge graduated from "Amherst College", studied law and set up a practice in Northampton, Massachusetts. President Coolidge quietly entered politics as a faithful member of the "Republican Party", and for the next twenty years probably held more local and state offices than any other President.

President Coolidge married "Anna Goodhue" in 1905. Together, President Coolidge and Anna Goodhue Coolidge were blessed with two sons. After three terms as "Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts", President Coolidge became "Governor of Massachusetts" and it was in this post that he caught the public interest.

In 1919, the police of Boston, Massachusetts determined to form a union within the "American Federation of Labor", went on strike. The citizens of Boston, Massachusetts feared for their safety, the city militia was called out, and "Governor Coolidge" sent the entire State Guard.

In a message to "Samuel Gompers", head of the American Federation of Labor, President Coolidge said:

            "There is no right to strike
              against the public safety
              by anybody, anywhere,
              any time."

By this single act, President Coolidge became a national celebrity and brought his name before the "1920 Republican Convention", where President Coolidge was nominated to run as "President Warren Gamaliel Harding" running mate.

When President Harding died in 1923, President Coolidge was at his father's house in Vermont and his father, who was a Justice of the Peace, administered the Oath of Office before President Coolidge left for Washington, D.C. to become President.

As "Vice President Coolidge", he gained a reputation as a man who wasted nothing, words or money,  and who said:

             "The business of America
               is business."

President Coolidge opposed the "League of Nations", but approved the "World Court". President Coolidge vetoed a bill to give soldiers a bonus on the ground that it would cost too much, but it was passed over his veto. In 1924, President Coolidge won re-election with a huge majority.

The country was more prosperous than it had ever been, and the people wanted things to stay the same. In this term, President Coolidge maintained his popularity with his thrifty, honest,  simple manner. President Coolidge supported business strongly, and his policies included a high tariff, reduced taxes, and restriction of immigration.

President Coolidge insisted that European nations should repay money borrowed during the war. President Coolidge was not much interested in foreign affairs, but during his administration, relations with Mexico were improved and a pact was signed with most of the countries of the world outlawing war.

President Coolidge, who could have been re-elected in 1928, refused to run. President Coolidge retired to a business life in Northampton and died there of a heart attack in 1933.

Written by:
Karen Palumbo
Photography "NOT" by:
Robert Palumbo
5/20/2010 (c)