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HELL AND MARIA! : THE STORY OF CHARLES DAWES - Page 2

© John S. Cooper

In 1921, Charles Dawes became the first director of the new Bureau of the Budget, created by President Warren G. Harding. In 1924, he served as chairman of a commission to settle the complex problems of German war reparations. The plan, called the Dawes Plan, helped solve the German reparations problem and had a beneficial effect on the economy of Europe. For this, Dawes was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1925.

Later in 1924, The Republican Convention met and nominated President Calvin Coolidge for a full four year term of his own. Coolidge had been elected Vice-President in 1920, and had become President after the death of President Harding in 1923. When asked for a Vice-Presidential selection, Coolidge left it up to the convention to choose one as it had in 1920 when it selected him, rather than pick one of his own. Coolidge said the convention was able to handle the task of choosing the Vice-President. Coolidge said, "It did in 1920, and it picked a durned good man."

The convention picked "Hell 'n' Maria" Dawes for Vice-President. The selection of Dawes was the most exciting event of the entire convention. The convention had been so boring that humorist Will Rogers had suggested that the people of Cleveland throw open the doors of the churches to liven up the convention.

Dawes got into trouble almost immediately after the election. Dawes sent a message to Coolidge stating that he did not think he should attend cabinet meetings. He feared it might create a precedent and future Vice-Presidents might not be as qualified as he to advise the President. Dawes also sent a copy of his message to the press. The only problem was that Coolidge had not invited Dawes to attend cabinet meetings, and had not even asked his opinion on the subject. Coolidge was not pleased.

A second problem was Dawes' inaugural speech. Dawes decided that, as the incoming presiding officer of the Senate, he should lay down some rules. Dawes lectured the Senate on how he planned to run the place, and especially about the filibuster rule, which he opposed. He literally shook his finger at them as he lectured them. He warned them that if they didn't change this rule, it would "lessen the effectiveness, prestige, and dignity" of their body. The Senators were highly offended. One called it a "clownish performance."

Reporters left after Dawes' speech to file their stories, leaving few of them to hear Coolidge's inaugural address. Again, Coolidge was not pleased. It was a week later that the Senate got its revenge on Dawes.

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