Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-06-14
NO THIRD TERM FOR him.
President Issues a Statement De-
claring He Would Not Ac-
cept 1t If Offered.
REGRETS THAT SUGGESTION WAS MADE.
Says His Only Ambition Is to Serve
Through His second Term To the
Acceptance of His Countrymen-
senator Hanna Says, ~ Told You



Washington, June 1.-THE follow
ing statement has been given out at
the white house:
II regret that the suggestion Of third
term has been made. | doubt whether'l
am called upon TO give II notice But there
are now questions of the gravest impor-
lance before the administration and the
country, and their just consideration
should not be prejudiced in the public
mind by even the suspicion Of the thought
OF a third term. In view therefore OF the
reiteratian of the suggestion of II, l will
say now. once for all, expressing long
settled conviction. that | not only am not
and will not be a candidate for third
term. but would not accept nomination
for IL II IL were rendered me.
My only ambition is 10 serve through
my second term to the acceptance OF my
countrymen, whose generous confidence |
so deeply appreciate and then with them
to do my duty in the ranks of private ciu-
zenship.
Executive Mansion, Washington, June 10,
1893. II"
Cabinet in Consultation.
President McKinleys ofhrial an
nouncement Tuesday morning dispos-
ing of the third term idea suggested
by some Of his admirers has created
no great surprise among his friends,
who have known his deep convictions
on the subject. When Senator De-
pew's suggestion ten days ago that
the president should be reelected for
a third term began TO be seriously dis
cHssed and when several Of the pres
ident's friends felt called upon To in
dorse the idea, the president decided
that the public mind should be in
stantly cleared of even the suspicion
that he was seeking 10 break down the
precedents of the past by becoming
a candidate for another term.
He preached the subject to Secre-
tary Long late Monday afternoon. He
told him he believed that an an
nouncement at the very inception of
the discus sion would be wise and Mon
day night officially informed the mem
bers of the cabinet. who had been in
formally called together. of his de-
cision. IL met with hearty approval
There was unanimous concurrence in
the belief that discussion of third
term for the president. II al
lowed To 90 on, would not only place
the president in false light before the
country. and would arouse antagon.
ism. but would badly embarrass the
administration in the solution of the
great questions before it. The brief
announcement which the president
had prepared was given out by Secre-
tary Cortelyou at noon Tuesday.
Hanna Says. ~ Told You So"
Cleveland, O.. June lit is just
what | expected the president would
say. if he said anything at all on the
subject" was the comment of Senator
Hanna Tuesday when he read Presi-
dent McKinley's statement in refer
ence to a third term.
II have never exchanged one word
with the president concerning the
matter" he continued. and have con-
sidered all the talk bearing on the sub
iect as premature. According 10 my
judgment it is too early to discuss
presidential candidates for the next
term"
Asked If he was in favor Of main.
tanning the precedent established by
President Washington in reference to
the number Of years the chief eXecu-
tive should hold office. Mr.. Hanna
said:
II don't think the precedent set by
Wa shington has a great deal to do
with the matter. But there is I'M
doubtedly a strong sentiment among
the people against such a PROPOSE
ton"
Continues to Improve.
Washington. June 11.-Mrs. McKin-
ley's physicians held brief consulta-
ton Tuesday forenoon after which
the following statement as TO her con