The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-06-25
THE THIRD
TERM ISSUE
Letter of Mckinley
Now Settles

WARRINGTON. June 1l.-President
Mckinley today put an effectual quie-
tus on the third-term talk which has
gained some currency in the newspapers
through interviews with certain well
known Republicans favoring the re-
nomination of the President for a third
term
Shortly before today's Cabinet meet
ing adjourned Secretary Cortelyou gave
to the press a signed statement by the
President, intended for the American
people announcing that he was not a
candidate for a third term, and would
not accept a denomination if one were
rendered. The statement in full is as
follows:
II regret that the suggestion of a
third term has been made. l doubt
whether am called upon to give 1t no
tice. But there are now questions of
the gravest Importance before the ad-
ministration and the country, and their
Just consideration should not be preju-
diced in the public mind by even the
suspicion of the thought of a third
term. In view, therefore, of the reitera-
ton of the suggestion of it, | will say
now, once for all. expressing a long
settled conviction, that / not only am
not and will not be a candidate for a
third term, but would not accept a
nomination for it, if it We're tender
ed me.
MY only ambition is to serve through
my second term to the acceptance of my
countrymen. whose generous conf
dence SO deeply appreciate, and then.
with them, to do my duty in the ranks
of private citizenship.
"WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Washington, d. c.,
June 10, 1901"
A decision to issue this statement was
reached last night, when the Presi
dent read to the members of the Cabinet
his proposed statement, at the same
time personally pledging each to Sc
.crecy until the public announcement was
made. The Cabinet, on hearing the
reasons the President advanced, which
are substantially set forth in the pub
lie announcement, namely, that talk of
a third term would react on the nation
al policies the administration is endeav-
orng to promote, conceded with the
view of their chief that the present
was an opportune time for it's promul
cation. The phraseology of the an
nouncement was considered further by
Tie SdpiHel lOudS, anu dlleI d ClldHSe
or two in last nights draft, Secretary
Cortelyou was directed to make it pub
lie.
The Presidents intimate personal
and political friends later expressed
themselves as not surprised at the de-
cision announced, but quite generally
conceded that they had not expected
such an announcement at this time.
thinking that the President would not
SO quickly give heed to the third-term
gossip. They said, however, that they
believed the President had shown his
quick and excellent political judgment
by crushing the third term movement
in it's very birth.
The President is already being del
uged with kilograms commendatory of
his announcement putting at rest all
third-term rumors. These kilograms
began arriving at the White House this
evening, and are from prominent per
sons throughout the country. They
place emphasis on the opportuneness
of the statement and the beneficent
effect on the country from a political
standpoint. None of the kilograms
was made public.