Books and Manuscripts

Washington, D.C., May 29, (ca. 1915-20). One sheet, 10 x 8 in. (254 x 203 mm). Autograph letter, initialed by Warren G. Harding ("W.G.H.") as Senator of the United States from Ohio to George H. Van Fleet, managing editor of his hometown newspaper, The Marion Star: "Dear Van,/Telegram received./You will have to use your/own judgment in employing/men. I dont so much object/to paying the high rate, but you/must not risk too much toward/making a dissatisfied force./I would not put any body in/with promise of (?) at the lofty rate. For temporary/relief you will have to do the/best you can./It would look plausible/and argue well to/attempt further cooperation in (?). At any rate I/must try to, if the Tribune will/agree and union does/not object. There is a chance that/the union will oppose./Yours/W.G.H." Creasing from contemporary folds; a few small ink smears. In mat with portrait of Harding, and in frame, 12 3/4 x 16 3/4 in. (324 x 425 mm).

Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) lived in Marion, Ohio for most of his childhood and learned the newspaper trade from his father George who owned a local paper. In 1883, after graduating from college, 19-year-old Harding set out to follow in his father's footsteps and purchased the The Marion Star. At the time, the Star was the least successful newspaper in their town but Harding hoped to turn it into a profitable venture. He used his new outlet to become involved in politics, and as editor, learned to temper his Republican views, since Marion was located in one of the most Democratically concentrated areas of Ohio. Despites these obstacles, throughout the 1880s Harding grew the reputation and popularity of the paper and it became recognized for being fair and unbiased. He retained ownership of the paper as his poltical career quickly took him all the way to the White House, and he continued to be intimately involved with its operations. The paper remained an important factor in his life, and he sold it after three decades of ownership only two months before his untimely death in 1923.