Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-14
WOULD ACCEPT AGAIN.
Roosevelt Says ould Accept a Nomi'
nation for President in 1904.

Roosevelt Says . ould Accept Nomi-
nation for President in 1904.
Washington. Oct. 14.-President
Roosevelt has definitely and positively.
tho unofficiaily, stated his position to
the republican nomination in 1904. He
will make no fight for the honor, but If
the people Of the United States show
their approval of his course during the
three and half years that he occupies
the position of chief magistrate of the
land by placing his name at the head
OF the next republican national ticket he
will be extremely grateful and will not
decline. The president announced this
as his attitude during an interview with
several representative republicans from
South Carolina.
Mr.. Roosevelt went further, and stat
ed that IL he had to pander to any po-
litical clique, combination, or move
ment, he did not want the nomination
and would not give a rap for It, ems
phasizing his feelings in the matter by
swapping his fingers as he spoke.
The South Carolina leaders who called
on the president were John G. Capers,
United States district attorney and re-
Carolina; J. F. Ensor. postmaster at
Columbia, and DIR. v. p. Clayton, chief
deputy marshal for the district of South
Carolina. The conversation leading to
this expression by Mr.. Roosevelt bore
upon the strong Endorsement of Mr..
Blalock for the position OF collector Of
internal revenue.
1t was asserted that President Nc
Kinley had decided to appoint Mr.. BlA-
lock, and that it was the purpose of Mr..
Roosevelt to carry out the intention Of
his predecessor. Subsequently the
president heard a report concerning Mr..
Blalocks conduct while sojourning in
the national capital which greatly dis
pleased him. When the South Carolina
delegation called at the white house the
president explained to them the nature
of the allegations against Mr.. Blalock.
which. it is said. amounted to nothing
more than that he and his friends had
indulged in conyiviality. 1t was about
at this point that the president stated
his position with reference to the cam
paign in 1904.
II am going to select the best men for
public positions" he is quoted by one Of
the gentlemen present as saying. Men
appointed to high public places must be
high in morals and in many other re-
spects. If the American people care to
show their approval of my course as
president during the three years and a
half have to serve by placing me at
the head of the republican ticket in 1904
1 shall feel deeply grateful. 1t would be
an honor it would be difficult for any
man to decline.
But IL have to pander. to any
cliques, combinations, or movements for
their approval would not give rap
of my finger for 1t, or nomination for
1t under such circumstances. Ny in
dorsement must come from the people
of the country"
Those who heard President Roosevelt
make this utterance say they were inn
pressd by his evident earnestness and
are doubtful If they can secure the coll
lectorship for Mr.. Blalock, altho he had
practically been named for the place.
Persons high in political life here are
being daily convinced by the president
that he is not running the high office he
holds with any sort Of view of control
ling the republican machinery in 1904.