“…but I have them all pretty well intimidated…”

July 22, 2013August 13, 2013 / gouverneurmorris / 1 Comment

During the summer of 1928, the Coolidges established White House quarters on the Brule River, near Superior, Wisconsin. On the occasion of one of his press conferences, the subject of the President’s itinerary came up. Coolidge, straight-faced as ever, said, “I have been so busy out at the Lodge catching fish–there are 45,000 out there–I haven’t caught them all yet, but I have them all pretty well intimidated. They have had to restock one lake” (The Talkative President, p.18). Here, in this photograph, Coolidge is enthusiastically hauling in a trout, not in Wisconsin, but from a lake in Connecticut four years later.

“I do not choose to run,” 1928

July 21, 2013August 13, 2013 / gouverneurmorris / Leave a comment

“I do not choose to run,” 1928

This song, written by Kenny and Dennis, was inspired by the famous refusal to run for President in 1928 announced by Calvin Coolidge in August the previous year. This performance by Harry Reser’s band with Tom Stacks (vocal) and the Six Jumping Jacks was recorded in March of 1928. The lyrics underscore Coolidge’s stubborn refusal to play along with expectations.

Billy bought a dollar watch

He thought he’d have some time.

But the thing was non-complete.

It wasn’t worth a dime.

Billy listened for a tick,

And almost passed away

He put the watch up to his ear

And heard it softly say:

I do not choose to run.

Try and shake me

You can’t make me

My spring days are done.

Wind me up once more

Then drop me on the floor.

I don’t care

I just declare

I do not choose to run.

________________________________________________

Billy had a jazzy band

They loved their music so.

Every where that Willie went

The band was sure to go.

When they heard this little song

Now, things have changed about

When Billy whispers, “Let’s go boys”,

The band begins to shout:

We do not choose to play.

Break our fiddles in their middles

Throw our sax away

Leave a little (whistle)

Yell hip hip hurray

Any thing

We’ll even sing

We do not choose to play.

On the Mayflower

July 20, 2013July 21, 2013 / gouverneurmorris / Leave a comment

The Mayflower returning to dry dock, 1928

The PY-1 Mayflower, converted for service as the Presidential Yacht since July 1920, worked faithfully under the Harding and Coolidge administrations. It was a favorite escape for the Coolidges as a means to break free from the confines of Washington without being too far removed in the event responsibilities summoned. It also afforded an opportunity to host a broad range of guests while, like Coolidge’s morning breakfasts, serving as a way to help others escape also, even perhaps to help others recover a sense of proportion too often lost in the Nation’s capital. The vessel was decommissioned less than three weeks after Hoover took the helm. This unfortunate action deeply disappointed the Coolidges, who understood not only the need to cut costs but also the importance of perspective that getting away affords. Hoover was sending a message that his administration was going to trim down and get to work. He missed an important value by removing this unique escape into the world from the incessant reach of Washington. Sadly lost in the shuffle of busy-ness was the balance of stepping back from problems to think first and then act, with refreshed mind, body and spirit. The vessel would finally be decommissioned in 1946 and broken up in 1955.