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September 23, 2007 Howard Lee Kilby <hkilby@hotmail.com> Just a few words to express my appreciation for the fine work you are doing to bring to the world the life of President Calvin Coolidge. And a question for you, Mr. President: Did you visit any other nations during your years as President of the United States? ========================================== REPLY ===== During his presidency, Calvin Coolidge visited Cuba. During his time period, the president did not travel widely. |
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September 09, 2007 Debbie Thompson <mdthomps@mchsi.com> Dear Mr. President Coolidge, I was wondering what are some things that you love? Alsowhat are some things that you need? And what are some things that you give? And finally what are two things you would like to see? Thank you for your time. Debbie Thompson ========================================== REPLY ===== He loved his family and missed anyone who was not with him in the family. He loved pets--all kinds even a pet raccoon. He loved Vermont and his town of Plymouth. |
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August 17, 2007 Beth Thompson <Athom111@aol.com> Could you please tell me about your experiences with the pet raccoon Rebecca? I am particularly interested in anecdotes about you, Mrs. Coolidge and Rebecca. Thank you very much, Mr. President ====================== REPLY ===== Dear Beth Thompson: There is at least one news photographer's picture of Mrs. Coolidge and Rebecca. The two of them were much appreciated at our annual Easter Day parties for the children of Washington. It may interest you to know that Rebecca was not our only raccoon and -- she was not always called Rebecca. She was first called Rueben till we became aware or our error. The story has been often told of her arrival at the White House in a crate. The little creature had been sent from one of our southern states where raccoon is served at supper. At the moment I cannot recall if directions for the preparation of raccoon accompanied the gift. Rebecca was on our table many times but never as the main course and, she wasn't supposed to be on the table at all. News stories suggested that Rebecca needed a companion and soon another raccoon arrived. We named him Roscoe; he was a rascal and he was fierce and unfriendly. Even Rebecca didn't like him. Roscoe escaped and members of the Secret Service apprehended him. He escaped again and I urged the Secret Service not be too diligent in their pursuit. We never saw him again. If there are raccoons in Washington, today, no doubt some are descended from Roscoe. CC |
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August 09, 2007 hiroshi Yoshida <catallaxy@mac.com> When did you said "Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery"? |
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July 25, 2007 Mike Costanzo <mcmc1910@aol.com> Mr. President, I am researching Bibles used in presidential inaugurations and cannot find any reference to the Bible used at your vice presidential inauguration with President Harding. I understand both Bibles used at the 1923 and 1925 inaugurations are at the family homestead, and was wondering if perhaps one of these were used? Bill Jenney at the Family Homestead refered me to you. Any possible information would be appreciated. Sincerely, Mike Costanzo Columbia, TN (Home of James K. Polk, 11th president) ================ REPLY ===== Dear Mr. Costanzo I am pleased that Mr. Jenney sent you here with your interesting questions. I will look into the matter of the Bible used at my vice presidential inauguration. Had either Plymouth Bible been used at my inauguration as vice president, Mr. Jenney would know that. Regarding Mother's Bible at the "Homestead Inaugural." In my Autobiography, On page 176, I write: "The Bible that had belonged to my mother lay at hand. It was not officially used, as it is not the practice in Vermont or Massachusetts to use a Bible in connection with the administration of an oath." My associate admits to some confusion here in that, in reference to "Mother" I seemed to have made no distinction between my birth mother and my father's second wife. I have turned to my most trusted associates and they are puzzled regarding the Bible used for the Vice Presidential Inauguration in March of 1921. My Autobiography reads: "I was struck by the lack of order and formality which prevailed." No doubt the Senate had a Bible if I failed to provide one with personal associations. As I say, I'll look into this and alert you if I can say more. CC |
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July 16, 2007 Jim <jebdig2@hotmail.com> Dear Mr. President: What role do you feel that former Presidents should play in the conduct of the Nation's business or the business of his political party? I hope you are enjoying the summer in Northampton. It was very warm when I visited there in late June. Respectfully, Jim =================== REPLY ===== Dear Jim: As President, I valued the wise counsel of former President Taft. In retirement, I was available should President Hoover have any questions for me. I volunteered neither advice nor suggestion; I wrote and spoke in his behalf when he sought reelection. Thanks for your question and your kind thoughts for my summer. Summer in the Meadow City is a pleasant prospect though, as you note, it can be warm. Often, these days, I revisit in my mind the wonderful places where I summered in the 1920s. I suppose, if I had to chose -- I would say that Plymouth, Vermont would always top my list. When my son John was invited to the White House one summer he was asked the greatest change in Washington since his last visit. John's reply was brief: "Air conditioning." He recalled that we lacked that in the "good old days." The City of Conversation was silenced for the summer; I have read that it was the entrepreneurial spirit of my day that invited the research and invention that now allows our government to flourish in all seasons of the year. I leave you to judge if, as a nation, we are better off. Just now, I am thinking especially of the 1927 summer I spent in South Dakota. My office was in the High School in Rapid City and our Summer White House was the Game Lodge in Custer State Park. I will return this October to take part in a banquet to benefit the Mount Rushmore Memorial Society. I dedicated the interesting work that was proposed for Rushmore Mountain. See, also my reply to Mr. Doane dated in June of this year. CC |
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July 02, 2007 Dennis Doane <dcddoane@bellsouth.net> Dear Sir, During your term as President, the Immigration Act of 1924, which excluded the immigration of Japanese citizens to this country was passed. Would you please give me your thoughts on this law, and why were Europeans favored over people from Asia? Thank you Dennis Doane ========================================== REPLY ===== Dear Mr. Doane: The legislation to which you refer was insulting, degrading and disgraceful; it was not worthy of the best principles of this nation nor in our best interests. However, the Act was constitutional and we much needed the passage of an Immigration Bill. It would have passed over my veto; I signed it. CC |
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June 27, 2007 Frank Lynch <flyn284@sbcglobal.net> I have four scrap books with a large amount of Coolidge photos. I would like some advice on who to contact about sale of scrap books. I would like to sent some snap shops thru e-mail for your viewing, but can do it on this site. Thank You Frank Lynch ========================================== REPLY ===== Dear Mr. Lynch: My associate has a friend who is greatly interested in old photographs from my administration. We shall alert that gentleman and perhaps he will contact you directly. I am always interested in seeing old photographs and so, too would be the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation that supports these pages. It would be of special interest to me to learn how you come to have these scrap books? Who put them together? Have they been in your family for a long time? CC |
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June 27, 2007 Ron <rdominguez@motorola.com> Dear Mr. President, Recently, I read an Historical account of your Presidency and remembered this web site. I enjoyed reading your responses to peoples questions and have found them very informative. Sir, I would like to ask a followup question concerning somebodies inquiry about your family pets in the White House. In the answer, you mentioned "Laddie-Boy", President Hardings dog. In the television series, Back stairs at the White House, when Mrs. Harding left the White House, she apparently instructed your head Usher, Mr. Hoover, to find a home for him. I have never heard anything further about him after that. Your comment that he bacame part of your household is the first "followup" I ever heard about Laddie boy. Mr. President, may I respectfully ask if Laddie Boy remained a part of your families wide inventory of pets from that point on, or were you only temporary custodians of him? Thank You, Mr. President for your answer. Regards, Ron ========================================== REPLY ===== Dear Ron: Laddie Boy was with us but briefly and went on to some other home. It is possible he was taken by one of the Secret Service men but I would prefer you not quote me on that. He was a good dog and no doubt found a good home. CC |
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June 13, 2007 Dennis Doane <dcddoane@bellsouth.net> Dear Mr. President, I read recently that your summer White House was located in South Dakota, about and hours drive from Mount Rushmore, also there is a mountain named after you in Deadwood South Dakota. My question to you sir; What were the reasons on the location of the summer White House, when most President's have their summer Whit House close to their own Home? Also, did the summer White House have all the up to date fixtures, like indoor plumbing,indoor power, etc... Would appreciate your thoughts on the above questions. Dennis ========================= REPLY ===== Dear Mr. Doane: Your inquiry is a timely one; I am delighted to have this opportunity to discuss the summer of 1927 spent in South Dakota. Your question is timely because in October of this year I plan to return to South Dakota to deliver remarks and reminiscence of my earlier visit. This will, I believe, be at a banquet for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society. I anticipate I'll repeat my brief address at the dedication of work about to begin on Rushmore Mountain. I hope also to visit the Pine Ridge Reservation. Perhaps I could repeat some part of my address delivered there in 1927? It could serve as an opening to discuss how our First Americans have been teated over the intervening years. No doubt you know that they were made citizens of the United State in my administration. You are correct: Previous presidents tended to spend their summers in the East, often in the Northeast. Indeed, the summer of 1926 I spent in the beautiful Adirondack region of Northern New York. Governor Al Smith stopped by for a short visit. My Summer White House of 1928 was on the Brule River in Wisconsin with my office at the high school in Superior. That summer in South Dakota was the first presidential summer spent west of the Mississippi. Such a visit can be a tremendous benefit to any locality. My secret service man, Col. Edmund Starling, traveled out to assess the suitability of the site for a Summer White House. He returned with positive reports. My office would be in the High School at Rapid City. (Local inhabitants refer to their city as, "Rapid.") A paved road was to be built between Rapid and the State Game Lodge located in Custer State Park. The lodge would be our home. Of course the accommodations did not match what we left in Washington but we were comfortable and every effort was made to provide us with the relaxation and exercise one looks for in a summer retreat. The fishing was excellent and Mrs. Coolidge much enjoyed hiking the trails and picking the unfamiliar flowers. The people of South Dakota were welcoming and, at the same time, seemed to appreciate that when you are on vacation -- you wish to be left alone. It was almost as if I was in Vermont. Is the name Doane Robinson familiar to you? If there is one man who could truly be called "the Father of Mount Rushmore" -- that man would be Doane Robinson. Yes, there is a mountain named Coolidge; there is also a Doane Mountain where Mr. Borglum had his studio. CC |
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May 22, 2007 Erwin Garcia <manly_littleone@yahoo.com> If you were the prsident today,what would you do? ======================= REPLY ===== Dear Mr. Garcia: Let me say, I have absolutely no wish whatsoever to be president today. It is not easy for me to come up with satisfactory answers to speculative questions. In fact, I would be more interested in learning: What you would do if you were president, today? Do you know? Yet you have asked me: If I were President of the United States I would carefully reread the Constitution. I have studied that document for most of my life, I hold it in the highest regard. I would conduct my office in the best light of my understanding of the Constitution. It is a very long time since I was in Washington. I no longer am privy to the sources of information that are available to a president. When out of office I confided to a friend, "I feel I no longer fit with these times. When I was in office: tax reduction, tariff stability, peace, and the economy were the things to which I gave attention. We succeeded on those lines. I read of the newfangled things that are now so popular. I realize that my time is past. We are in a new era to which I do not belong. It would be impossible for me to adjust to it. These new ideas call for new men to develop them. The task is not for men who believe in the only kind of government I know anything about." If I were president I would certainly give my attention to peace, the economy and the reduction of taxes. If you happen to have communication with our current president -- please give him my thoughts on the matter. CC |
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May 21, 2007 Vanessa <Irrdegarcia@peoplepc.com> What were the biggest contributions to American society? ======================= REPLY ===== Dear Vanessa: I have combined your several questions into one question. 1. What were the biggest contributions to American society? At one of my last press conferences in Washington I was asked a similar question. My answer was, "Minding my own business." My associate suggests that my greatest contribution to American society was the example I provided to the people of America. To learn more about that you must learn more about me. Good luck. 2. Do you have any regrets about the term in office? Well, yes -- I have considerable regret about the loss of my son, Calvin, Jr. He died in the summer of my first year as president. It was a heavy blow. 3. What was the biggest challenge you faced while in the office,Mr. President? There were many challenges but perhaps the biggest was curbing the wish of Congress to spend vast and excessive amounts of taxpayer dollars. In 1819, Chief Justice John Marshall had so well said, "The power to tax is the power to destroy." I believe that; that is why I was ever and always so interested in saving money. At the end of my administration the majority of our citizens paid no taxes whatsoever. CC |
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May 21, 2007 Vanessa <Irrdegarcia@peoplepc.com> If you were President today,what would you do? ====================== REPLY ===== Dear Vanessa: Please see my above reply to Erwin Garcia. CC |
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May 16, 2007 jessica <Rockerjrae@aol.com> what did calvin coolidge do enviromentaly for the united states during his term of presidency? ============================ REPLY ===== Dear Jessica: Most of what I did for the environment you would probably regard as being of a ceremonial nature -- planting trees, dedicating parks, &c., etc. Let me say: A president's very public example can be more powerful than the boldest legislative or executive action. As Lt. Governor in Massachusetts I dedicated Massachusetts' first town forest in Walpole . . . Ah, but your inquiry is regarding my presidency. In 1927 I addressed the First International Congress of Soil Science in Washington. In 1928 I signed a flood control bill in spite of my clear understanding that the Mississippi will rise whenever it chooses to rise. I don't think our neighbors to the South understand this environmental fact. I issued a proclamation relative to the protection of the Carlsbad Cave National Monument and other similar proclamations and messages regarding other sites. You might like to read my yearly proclamations regarding Forest Protection Week and Arbor Day. Let me suggest if constructive economy is directed toward our environment we will be good custodians of our land. CC |
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April 24, 2007 shaunae <www.jainaerules@yahoo.com> what schools you went to in childhood ====================== REPLY ===== Dear Shaunae: I attended a little one room district school in Plymouth till the age of thirteen. Then, went on to Black River Academy in Ludlow, Vermont about twelve miles from home. That was my first great adventure in life. The academy would have been equivalent to your "high" school. That is -- if in your high school you study Latin, Greek, ancient history, Algebra, American Literature & Geometry. In the modern languages we only studied French. An associate informs me that many of the subjects I studied are no longer taught. This leads me to ask: What do you study? CC |
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April 21, 2007 Dennis Doane <dcddoane@bellsouth.net> Dear Mr. President, I am writing if I may with your permission, copy some of the photos on your site into my family history? I am related to you through the Ward side of the family and would like to copy some of the old photos into my site. Again thank you for your time. Dennis Doane ======================== REPLY ===== Dear Mr. Doane: I am pleased to learn that you found photographs for your family history. I recall when I was in my second term as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts -- a photographer from my first term was back to take yet another picture of me. I asked him, "Why? I'm still using the same face," Perhaps you might send a note to the Coolidge Foundation and tell them about your family? Perhaps you would like to join if you are not already a member? CC |
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April 14, 2007 solomon wong <lilaznboi023@aim.com> can u tell me what bills you vetoed and the bill u passed and the bill which override ur veto people say you sit on your hands and did nothing during your presidency...would you agree with that?or what are your comments about that statement ===================== REPLY ===== Dear Solomon Wong: Let me apologize for the slowness of this response. I wouldn't want you to think I've been "sitting on my hands." It doesn't sound comfortable. My associate tells me we have had "technical problems" with this press conference. He says he has attempted to "post" my replies several times and met with failure. I believe the problems are all now sorted out. I've combined your two questions into one. Let's take a moment to look at the time in which I served as Vice president and then as President of the United States. Please examine the oath I took upon becoming president. Read it carefully. I believe I fulfilled the promises made: To preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. When I came down to Washington in 1921 America had only just emerged from the Great War, soon our boys came home. America has changed in their absence and the men had changed as a result of the horrors of the war they had witnessed and the experiences they had in Europe. "What the end of those four years of carnage meant those who remember will never forget and those who do not can never be told." President Harding spoke of our need to return to what he called, "Normalcy." In the election of 1920 women voted for the first time in a national election. For some, perhaps for many -- this was a wrenching change from what had gone before. Of course, I had favored the vote for women ever since first entering politics in 1907. However, the conservative element in my party did not so favor it. Now: Consider the Volstead Act passed in 1919 making Prohibition the law of the land. While I did not like that law and said as much in private conversations -- it was the Law and I observed it. Let me suggest that our nation needed and, in fact required a quiet time to regain a sense of balance. However, the time over which I presided was not for many a quiet time; it was known as the Roaring 20s. I did little if any roaring in that decade. My staff is much reduced since leaving Washington. It would be a considerable labor to transcribe a list of bills vetoed and passed. Let me direct you to an excellent resource: "The Presidential Fact Book" by Joseph Nathan Kane. It will provide all the information you seek and is a wealth of knowledge. I often turn to it to refresh my memory. CC |
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April 05, 2007 Allan <dragon_hunter_z@yahoo.com> Hello Mr. President, If I could, I would like a little bit of your time. In my AP US History course, I am preforming, in a speech of sorts. I litterally must be you, for at least ten minutes. I must know as much as I can about you, for an exceedingly difficult Q&A session. I have found Have Faith in Massachusetts, and I assume that this will help me a great deal. Now, on to the questions. Firstly, and most importantly, I would like to know what you would talk about, above all else, if you were given ten minutes. I have found a lot of information, but not so much as to pure desire. This cannot be an historical report, but rather, as I said before, a speech in which I become you, sorry for impersonating. On the Vice President nomination, I know that you were chosen after being recommended by the Senator that read Have Faith in Massachusetts. Currently his name escapes me, and I was wondering if you could give me some background knowledge of this individual and how you personally felt about the nomination. Next I would like to know what kind of suit you wore. You always say that you love your suits. The question I guess involves the color and design, is that ever altered? If or if not, what is the most common color and design you wear? Lastly, and a bit randomly, were you more of a coffee or tea drinker in the morning time? Either way, did you like anything in your drink, such as sugar or milk? Thanks for any help you can offer Mr. President, A young enthusiast Allan PS Loved the slogan, and that brings me to another question, who thought of "Keep it cool with Coolidge." ===================== REPLY ===== Dear Allan: My first thought was that you might choose to be silent for ten minutes and let it go at that. However, I had second thoughts. Let me call to your attention my many speeches on nearby pages. I had thought that all my addresses were so available but closer inspection reveals that some of them are. One, that you might find of special interest is the first one, "Oratory in History" which I delivered at my graduation from Black River Academy in 1890. You might use that as a foundation to trace my subsequent speeches. My associate informs me that I am one of the last presidents to write his own speeches. The idea of someone impersonating me is an interesting one. I well recall, seeing a play based on the life of Abraham Lincoln when I was at Washington. Anyone wishing to impersonate me should probably read my autobiography. It along with many other books are available through the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation's bookstore. They have something -- it's called an "audio cassette" of my associate reading from that Autobiography. Now to your questions: "Keep Cool With Coolidge" was thought up by Henry T. Ewald. Mr. Ewald was what you call an "advertising" man. It was Wallace McCamant of Oregon who nominated me for the vice presidency. Judge McCamant was never a senator; he was a delegate to the Republican Convention in 1920. When I learned of my nomination, Mrs. Coolidge said, "Well, you're not going to accept it, are you?" She knew that I had no interest in the vice presidency. Yet, I accepted. It was agreeable to me to be associated with Senator Harding. I had met him when he visited Massachusetts. Nearly any biography will feature photographs of me -- though Mrs. Coolidge was by far the better photographic subject. Perhaps, if anything, I favored a gray three-piece suit. Yet I wore black, blue and brown suits -- some with vest and some double-breasted. On the Presidential yacht, the "Mayflower" you may see photographs of me wearing white trousers and a dark blazer. I have no recall of expressing "love" for my suits. Mr. Ike Hoover, head usher at the White House, once remarked that I had more suits than any previous president he had known. To my very best recollection: I took sugar and cream in my morning coffee. Good luck with your speech. If I can be of further help, let know. CC |
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March 10, 2007 Terry Sautter <sautterry@bellsouth.net> Dear Mr. President, Your Cabinet was filled with many accomplished men. Did you have regular meetings with them as a group? Did you seek their advice informally? Who among these men did you find the most talented and wise? If I may be so bold, did any of them disappoint you? Thank you Mr. President for your response. ====================== REPLY ===== Dear Terry Sauter: Indeed, my Cabinet consisted of very accomplished men. It would be difficult to single out any one of them for special praise or commendation. I cannot recall any disappointment with any of them. Often, I receive inquiries that can be best addressed by turning to my autobiography. Such is the case, today. "At ten-thirty on Tuesdays and Fridays the Cabinet meetings were held. Each member was asked if he had any problem he wished to lay before the President. When I first attended with President Harding at the beginning of a new administration those were rather numerous. Later, they decreased, as each member felt better able to solve his own problems. After entire freedom of discussion, but always without a vote of any kind, I was accustomed to announce what the decision would be. There never ought to be and never were marked differences of opinion in my Cabinet. As their duties were not to advise each other, but to advise the President, they could not disagree among themselves. Sometimes they wished for larger appropriations than the state of the Treasury warranted, but they all cooperated most sincerely in the policy of economy and were content with such funds as I could assign them." The above is taken from the chapter on "presidential duties" in my 1929 Autobiography. There may well have been informal consultation when cabinet members were guests at the White House, on the presidential yacht the Mayflower, or on other formal or informal occasions beyond recall. CC |
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March 09, 2007 solomon wong <lilaznboi023@aim.com> dear mr coolidge im writing an essay about you and i would like to know 3 good characteristic about you if you hav more that would be better ================== REPLY ===== Dear Mr. Solomon Wong: Any man entering upon a political career should possess at least three good characteristics. It is 100 years ago that I entered the greater political world of elective office when I took my seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. What characteristics did I posses at that time? My father said that, as a boy, he could count on me to finish any task given me. So: I was "Dependable." I always kept my word; let's add "Honest" to the list. I was "Thorough" and a hard worker giving careful consideration and study to all bills upon which I was expected to vote. I made it my business to understand them and to understand the rules of the legislature. "Silent Cal" was to become my nickname. "Quiet" was a characteristic that has always served me well. My good friend Will Rogers suggests that my sense of humor was a considerable asset. CC |
