We'll never see another Coolidge.

Michael Telzrow's article on Calvin Coolidge was fight on the mark ("The Coolidge Presidency," January 8).

As a high-school history teacher, I am often asked who is my favorite president. I always say Coolidge. Those who query are usually puzzled by my response and ask for an elaboration. I respond that Coolidge was consistent in his adherence to the Constitution even when it was not popular.

If we could have been blessed to have more presidents taking naps rather than running roughshod over our liberties, our great republic would be even better.

Coolidge's more internationalist view concerning the World Court has always made me realize that he was not a perfect president. I was disappointed to see in Telzrow's article Coolidge's idea for a department of education [as stated in the Republican Party platform]. I have never seen this being proposed by Coolidge before. I would speculate that he never really considered it very seriously or just abandoned the idea.

Sadly, it is difficult for me to be optimistic about the prospect of the electorate choosing a president who will adhere to a strict constructionist view of our Constitution in the fashion of Coolidge.

RUSTY CLOVER

Semmes, Alabama 

Alabama State Senator