Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-05-19
Treasury Deficit Con-
tinues to Grow <&
Labor and the Vel.
low Man x Third
Term Talk e Rail-
roads and the Canal
/: "a q /: Il II :

ne CONSIDERED the three ana One-half
years which he served prior to March
4. 1905, as his first term. That decla-
ration gave great joy to divers and
sundry aspiring statesmen. 1t seemed
to clear the field. Consequently some
thing like dozen of them were pull
ing wires, setting up pins, jollying the
public and overworking their press
agents even before President Roose-
welt was sworn in for his four years
term in his own right. Now certain
SNUG politicians. some Of them To-
Gated in editorial sanctums, are deity
preparing the way for the candidacy
Of President Roosevelt in 1908, chiefly
for their own good. They are trying to
arrange set Of circumstances in
which 1t will be his patriotic duty to
run again for the highest earthly Office
"a set of circumstances in which it
will be made to appear that he, and he
only, can save the republic from go
ing to what the late Mr.. Mantalini
would denom;nate "the demnition bow
vows" Whether they can make
President Roosevelt believe that such
crisis exists remains to be seen. The
mere suggestion Of such condition of
affairs, however, must cause sort Of
heart failure in the breasts of the
divers and sundry ambitious states
men aforesaid.
If President Roosevelt chooses to
change his mind and to become can
didate once more there Is nothing to
prevent. "Wise men change their opin-
ions; fools never so 1t is said. There
Is no written law or constitutional pro-
vision against q third term, but there
Is deep seated, perhaps an ineradi-
cable. prejudice against 1t. President
MCKINLEY at the food tide Of his pop
ularity 90 fully recognized it that he
promptly and emphatically sat down
Oh Senator Chauncey Mitchell Depew
and General Charles Henry Grosvenor
when those palpitating patriots pro-
posed third term for him. He vastly
Increased his prestige by SO doing
First and last there have been three
presidents who might have had third
terms had they 30 Observation-Disclosures,
Jefferson and Jackson-but with wise
patriotism, which Is one Of their clear
est and strongest titles to the love
and gratitude Of their countrymen. they
put away the great temptation from
before their faces BY so doing they
rendered great service to their coun-
try. President Mckinley confirmed
and strengthened their example. In the
116 years Of our existence under the
constitution only one man, General
Ulysses Simpson Grant, has openly as
pired to third term, and, great and
popular soldier as he was, it was de-
MED to him after struggle which
shook the Republican party to Its CEN
ter. It has been repeatedly asserted
that Grover Cleveland wanted third
term, an assertion which has not been
proved. Whether 1t could be proved
do not know.
OF course President Roosevelt's case
b not wholly similar to that Of Wash
ington, Jefferson ct al. He will have
served seven and half years on March
4 1909, but he has been elected only
once. That fact might or might not
diminish the widespread prejudice
against third term.
Nobody appointed me his adviser
Personally l like him. II, as his per-
sonai friend, were called on for an
opinion, would unhesitatingly advise
him to adhere to his declaration not to
stand again for the presidency. He is
exceedingly popular. No man with
sense will deny that. If he adheres to
his declaration, everything he says and
does during his present term will re-
ceiye the most favorable construction
as the words and acts of man seek
ing to build noble fame by purely
patriotic conduct. No man ever had a
finer opportunity to win n high place
In history. On the other hand, the mo.
1 ment 1t is known that he is candidate
for another term-or even, like Barllis,
is willin'-he will be viciously assailed
by men and papers within his own
party-for the 'outs" always outnum-
Der the ms Thousands who are now
exalting his horn in hope Of getting
Office for themselves or their kinsmen
aud friends will turn upon him and
rend him when he is known to be q
candidate, II they have not been pro-
vided for, As he cannot possibly take
care Of all the patriots anxious to sac
riace themselves on the altar OF their
country, there will be plenty of Repub.
Leans ready and anxious to even up
the score with him. By again becom-
ing a candidate he will afford them
golden opportunity for revenge; by
steadfastly declining they will have to
take 1t out tn sulking. II he Is again
nominated, all the disgruntled Repub-
hcans-and their name will be legion
by 1908 will Join with Democrats to
pull him down, and they would do 1t
with ghoulish glec. Can he afford to
jeopardize what lie has won by reach.
ing out for more? To mere locker Oh
In Vienna 1t is plain that he will dc
well to resist the song of the political
sirens. Mr.. Roosevelt's recent declara-
ton at Chicago would seem to settle
the third term talk so far as he is con
cerned.
"hIII az Canal Boomer"
It Is always pleasant to quote Re-
publican paper when 1t is not talking
partisan politics, in which case 1t usu-
ally talks nonsense. The st. Louis
Globe Democrat Is one of the most
fampantest Republican organs In the
United States, to use Shakespearean
double superlative. and no other mode
Of expression will do it Justice. Some.
dmes. however, 1t let's up on partisan
politics loos enough to mako few
saSe rsInarks Not long since under the