The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-16
CAMPAIGN PRoN1sEs.

Judge Parker has gone a step farth-
er than any previous candidate for the
presidency, in his declaration that he
will not be a candidate for reelection
! if successful this time. His advanced
position lies in the statement that he
will not accept denomination.
In 1876 Rutherford B. Hays in his let
ter of acceptance said:
THE declaration of principles by the
Cincinnati convention makes no an
nouncement in favor of a single presi-
Dental term. 1 do not assume to add
to that declaration, but, believing the
restoration of the civil service to the
system established by Washington and
followed by the early presidents can be
best accomplished by an executive who
is under no temptation to use the pat
ronage of his office to promote his own
reelection, 1 desire to perform what 1
regard as a duty in stating now my
infiexible purpose, if elected, not to be
a candidate for election to a second
term
The country took him at his word
and he was not offered a renomina-
ton.
Grover Cleveland was nominated for
the office of president of the United
States for the first time in 1884. On
August Is of that year he sent to the
notification committee his letter of ac-
ceptance. In the eighth paragraph of
that communication he used the follow
ing words:
when an election to office shall be
the selection by the voters of one of
their number to assume for a time
public trust instead of his dedication to
the profession of politics; when the
holders of the ballot, quickened by a
sense of duty, shall avenge truth be-
trayed and pledges broken, and when
the suffrage shall be altogether free and
interrupted, then full realization of
government by the people will be at
hand. And of the means to this end.
not one would, in my judgment, be
more effective, than an amendment to
the constitution disqualifying the pres
ident from reelection When we con-
slider the patronage of this great office,
the alurements of power, the tempta-
ton to retain public place once gained.
and, more than all, the availability a
party finds in an incumbent whom a
horde of off1ce-holders with a zeal born
of benefits received, and fostered by the
hope of favors yet to come, stand ready
to aid with money and trained political
service, we recognize in the eligibility
of the president for reelection, a most
serious danger to that calm, deliberate
and intelligent action, which must
characterize a government by the peo-
ple.''
Everybody knows what happened af-
forwards.
Col. Bryan said in 1896 and in 1900:
Il hereby announce, with all the en-
phasis which words can express, my
fixed determination not, under any cir
cumstances. to be candidate for re-
election, in case this campaign results
in my election"
In the course of his address delivered
at Esopus the other day Judge Parker
said:
Il accept, gentlemen of the commit
tee, the nomination, and if the action
of the convention shall be Endorsed by
an election by the people, 1 will, God
helping me, give to the discharge of the
duties of that exalted office the best
service of which 1 am capable, and at
the end of the term retire to private
life. I shall not be a candidate for, nor
shall I accept a renomination.''