New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-13
this country deemed SPANS title to the islands
unimpeachable, until, of course, the event of
TIE GOVERNOR,S DECISION.

Inc strong intimation of his purpose not to
be forced or persuaded into accepting the Re
publican nomination for Vice-President which
was conveyed yesterday morning in Governor
hoosevelts announcement of his hostility to the
lsthmlan canal treaty in its present form-the
form which the Administration believes it
should and must retain-was confirmed yester
day afternoon by the Governors formal declara-
ton that he could not and would not under
any circumstances be a candidate for the Vice
Presidency in the coming campaign This pub
lie avowal of his desires and intentions is likely
TO be received with general appreciation for
various reasons, even though it may seriously
dsappoint some persons who have honestly
wanted TO have him nominated on the National
ticket and others who have wanted to have 1t
appear that they wanted to have him nomi-
mated. 1t is frank and explicit accounts In
perfectly Ineligible manner for his unwilling
ness to accept the chance of being elected to
the Vice-Presldency this year, and has that
agreeable flavor of righteousness which has
characterized Colonel Roosevelts most success
full public utterances
1T seems to me clear" he says, that at the
present time my duty is here in the State
whose people chose me Governor. Great prob
'lems have been faced, and are being partly
solved, in this State at this time and If the
people desire I hope that the work thus
begun / may help carry 10 n successful con-
'cluson. And | am happy to state that Senator
PLAT cordially acquiesces in my views in the
matter" In these words the Governor obvi-
ously means to declare without more crcumlo-
cuton than polite sembance of reserve re-
quires that he wants a denomination to his
present office, that the Republican organization
will be happy TO give it TO him. and that he
expects 10 be able TO do great things during his
second term. 1t Is laudable ambition hon
estly announced, and see no insuperable
obstacle to its achievement If Mr.. Plat has
acquainted the Governor with his real senti-
ments. as he probably has, though q good many
persons, including Ex-Governor Morton for eX-
ample, may be disposed TO doubt it, and If he
should not find 1t convenient to change them
and an unexpected revolution of public feeling
does not occur, Colonel Roosevelt will pretty
surely be commissioned to complete the work
which he describes under way.
His friends will detect with pleasure in the
Governors communication A tone of modesty
as we'll as candor. If he had reported great
progress in dealing with the problems TO which
he refers confidently predicted their solu-
ton under his guidance there might have been
a disposition to inquire whether such content
ment with the situation hopeful augury.
But he is far from adopting that attitude. He
does not say that the problems are even partly
solved. He says that they "are being partly
solved" and he hopes TO be permitted to help
carry the process TO completion. That, as 1t
seems to us, is just and creditable statement
of. the case, which the Governors least enthu-
siastic admirers should be ready TO accept. 1t
must be acknowledged that less has been
actually accomplished thus far under his admin
istration than prevalent estimate of his char
acter and talents had led the people to expect.
He would probably say that this was his mis-
fortune. but there are many good citizens who
think that it is partly ms fault. He has never
seemed TO them TO take full advantage Of the
fact that he was nominated because the ma
chine did not dare TO nominate anybody else,
and that he virtually elected himself. His posi-
ton at the beginning of his term exceed
ingly strong, and he might have made It
impregnable. Doubtless he has meant to do so.
but he has not succeeded. He has rendered
himself liable TO attacks which it will not be
the easiest thing in the world TO repel and is
now forced TO admit that he needs another term
TO finish the work which his own indscretiOns
have made unnecessarily difficult.
1t has seemed to us both just and desirable
under the conditions which Governor Roosevelts
announcement respecting the VicePresdency
| has produced to speak of certain matters with
a frankness equal to his own. But we desire to
| have it understood that in criticsing his meth
| DDS we impute TO him no unworthy motives
! and that in his desire for a reelection is
| gratifed, we shall hope to see him grow to the
| full stature BETTING great office.
| -