Portrait of an American
1953
Calvin Coolidge's largely forgotten Vice President comes alive here as an original "compassionate conservative" -- a Republican with Gilded Age in his bloodstream, but with an unbounded faith in private wealth being voluntarily given up to help alleviate poverty. His own Dawes Hotels -- essentially, elegant soup kitchens open to all comers -- were a primary example of how he put his money where his mouth was. Guests could turn their clothes in to be washed, got a free bath and received a nightshirt in return. Meals were available for pennies ("They must not be made to feel that they are objects of charity"), and guests could gaze upon an enormous painting of the Battle of Lake Erie (DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP) while eating. All in all a wonderful picture of a stoic, glaring Republican actually acknowledging that a social contract is in place here. Not sure whether his example was contagious, however.
Two other fascinating facts: Dawes was a very close friend of the Republican bete noire William Jennings Bryan, a relationship that began when both were young and hungry in Lincoln, Nebraska.
And Dawes wrote "It's All in the Game". (A fact that's elaborated here despite the fact the tune hadn't yet become a standard.)
