Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-11
NO THIRD TERM
Formal Announcement
by the President.
APPROVED BY CABINET
Considered at Meetings Last
Night and Today.
POSTMASTER GENERAL SMITH TALKS
,Mr. Mckinley Acted From Deep
Sense of Duty.
POSTMASTER GENERAL SMITH TALKS
tSECRETARY LONGS VIEWS

regret that the suggestion of a third
term has been made. l doubt whether l
am called upon to give ii notice But there
are now questions of the gravest impor-
,tance 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
iteration of the suggestion of it, will say
now. once for all. expressing a long-settled
conviction. that l not only am not and will
not be a candidate for a third term. but
,woLld not accept a nomination for it if it
We're rendered me
Ny only ambition Is to serve through my
S"eond term to the acceptance of my coun-
trymen. whose generous confidence 1 so
deeply appreciate. and then. with them. do
my duty in the ranks of private citizen
. snip. WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Washington, June 10,
1901
What Brought 1t About.
History was made at the White House
foregoing announcement putting stop to
all further talk of his denomination for
third term. The Presidents determination
TO do this at once was reached yesterday
afternoon and was put before the cabinet
at an informal meeting held in the cabinet
room last night. The President had the
announcement in mind since the incipi ency
of the suggestions that he ought to be nom
mated and elected for third term. but a
belief that the talk would soon die out and
th- illness Of Mrs. Mckinley kept him from
taking decisive steps As the talk old not
suhSiie. the President late yesterday after
noon concluded to take prompt steps.
shortly after o'clock he went out for
drive with Secretary Long. whom he had
sent for. and the decision to check the talk
referred to for the first time. After
III" drive the President sent notification to
all the cabinet members that he should like
TO see them for short time. All of the
members except Secretaries Root and Hay,
who are out of the city, went to the White
House at : o'clock. and when they were as
sembled in the cabinet room the President
fGl.ietly stated his intentions. following this
10y reading the announcement that was
made today. This document of the Presi-
dent is dated yesterday. as will be seen,
and was prepared yesterday afternoon.
Cabinet Approved His Action.
II Is stated that the Presidents words
fell with surprise upon the ears of his cab
met advisers-not that the step itself was
surprising. but that he had acted so quick
ly- When the President explained, how
ever, that he did not want the great ques-
tinns Of the day complicated with disputes
relating 10 him self and his motives the
cabinet saw the reason for the promptness
~ the chief executive. and Immediately fell
~ia line with his views The President
dwet also upon the fact that he did not
believe in a third term. The official an
nounCement was considered by the cabinet
last night, and it's PRONUNCIATION deferred
until after the cabinet session today. When
the cabinet met today the President had
decided upon the change of a word or a
phrase in his announcement. and the cab
met again went over the statement Little
else was discussed at the session this morn
ing.
Considered Again Today
Although all the cabinet officials are
warm personal friends and we'll wishers of
the President they made no ATTEMPT to
have him reconsider his determination
one Of the members stated today that he
believed the President could have been
easily renOminated and elected The same
belief prevails among other cabinet MEM
hers but they knew that the Presidents
determination was final, and they came 60
think with him that IL was for the bfst
interests of the country.
At the cabinet meeting today the Presi-
dent reviewed the grounds he gave last
night for his position. and appeared to nut
his views stronger than he did last night
The announcement was given to the public
about half an hour before the cabinet ad-
1Ourned.
other Matters Considered.
The cabinet meeting today had no I'M
poTtant questions before II. Secretary Root
and Secretary Hay were both away and
the heads of the other departments had
only minor matters to present Secretary
Gage explained the status of bond pur-
'hases for the sinking fund and other mat
ttrs relating to his department Of no par
ucular consequence, and the other mem
oers Of the cabinet also presented routine
matters connected with their departments
Commissions Signed
The President today signed the commits
sions Of Gideon c. Bantz to be deputv as
dstant United States treasurer. and OF
John H ROys and Daniel w wurtsbaueh
70 be Heutenants. junior grades, United
States navy.
Postmaster General smith Talks
Speaking of the Presidents action POST
master General Smith said to a Star re-
porter: This act of self-abnegation on the
part of the President is another proof of
his patriotic public spirit and of his great
ness In taking this step ne has not only
followed his personal incllnations, but he
has acted from deep sense of duty and
from his belief of principle of our in
stitutions which he thinks absolute and
Interchangeable. Beyond this his admins
tration is dealing with great public uues-
tions OF the frst magnitude which he feels
should everywhere be considered fully and
exclusively on their own merits without