Note 131 — Chapter XV · THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CABINET

When Mr. Harding was elected in November, 1920, President Wilson was slowly recovering from a severe illness. Great problems were awaiting attention and by many it was deemed unfortunate that the newly-elected President could not take hold of them for four months. So Mr. Bryan suggested that Mr. Harding should be appointed Secretary of State and that thereafter the President and Vice President should resign. This, under the rules of succession, would have enabled Mr. Harding to take office at once. But the suggestion was not accepted.