The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-11-10
PRESIDENTIAL LIGHTNING RODS ARE UP
Gossip Turns Upon the Republican Nomination
Four Years Hence.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CALL BUREAU, HOTEL BARTON,
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 9.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt made up his mind fully
two weeks ago that as soon as he was
elected he would forswear a third term.
This decision was reached without
Importantly from any of the several
prominent public men considered avail
able for the Republican nomination
four years hence.
The President has long held positive
convictions on the third-term question.
When Judge Parker, in his speech of
acceptance, declared he would not take
a second term If elected, the President
privately admitted that he was opposed
TO a third term for himself, as we'll as
for any one else. He declined at that
time to declare himself out of the race
in 1905 This he did because he feared
that a declaration would be taken as
an effort to make political capital in
the campaign. He thought over the
form of his statement and gave it out
as soon as the returns showed a Re-
publican victory.
This announcement throws the field
wide open to all ambitious, willing and
reluctant candidates. If the President
had not eliminated himself last night
there would soon have been indirect
pressure brought by the various candi-
dates for Presidential honors in 1908.
That was the case after President Nc
kinley was elected in 1900. His con-
victions were well known, but Senator
Fairbanks and other ambitious men de-
sired formal declaration.
Immediately after the Philadelphia
convention in 1900 Senator Fairbanks
began TO plan for the nomination in
1904; Leslie NJ. Shaw, then Governor Of
Iowa, began putting up modest light
ming rod, and the Roosevelt supporters
would soon have been in the line, when
President Mckinley was assassinated.
This changed the entire political as
pect. Everybody conceded that Roose-
welt would be his own successor until
his opposition to the trusts caused talk
of Senator Hanna.
The following men are considered
available for the nomination in 1908 ::
Elihu Root of New York. William H.
Taft of Ohio, Leslie NJ. Shaw of Iowa,
Senator Fairbanks, Senator Knox and
Senator Beverage of Indiana.
Within the past few weeks it has be-
come known here that Senator Bever-
idge covets the Republican nomination.
That President Roosevelt should so
soon declare himself out is not consid-
cred favorable to Senator Beverage.
1t is improbable that a Beveridge boom
Will De 1dQACnC0 DclOIc
1908.
Senator Fairbanks is as good as an
announced candidate. Another man
more demonstrative than he would
have already declared a candidacy.
Senators Fairbanks and Beverage
are always at swords points in Indi-
ana, although they seldom admit it.
One administration official expressed
the opinion to-day that they would kill
each other off as candidates for first
place on the ticket.
Secretary Shaw has worked harder
on the stump than any other member
of the Cabinet in this campaign. 1t has
done Shaw quite as much good as
President Roosevelt. He doubtless will
be an active candidate for the nomina-
ton, strengthening his fences at every
opportunity in the meantime. He is ex=
pected to remain Secretary of the
Treasury during the next administra-
ton.
Secretary Taft is regarded as the
man with the brightest chance, but his
disposition is more toward a judicial
life, and many of his friends believe he
would greatly prefer place on the