Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-08-22
A DIFFICULT QUESTION.

The question whether President
Roosevelt now serves his first. or sec
ond term as President Of the United
States seems to be as difficult TO de-
,ermine as vas the problem that oc-
cupIcA the public few years ago
whether the century commenced with
the year 1900. or 1901 II b. one OF the
questions about which opinions always
win be- divided Were he % be NOM
mated and elected again inquiries the
Washington Post. would Il be a third
term for him." To which the SPRING
field Republican promptly replies II
could not be anything else
The Republican argues that n the
office held by Mr. Roosevelt from sept
IA. 1901. 10 March 9, 1905. was his presi-
depcv. Chen il was his first term, al
though lacking some six months OF a
full term. The present Is his second
term and another following this one
would D.. bis third term This con-
,luslon Is further strengthened by ref
,rence 10 thc oath Of Office he took on
Sept. 49, 1901
81 do solemuly swear cor affirm that
,JU faithfully execute the ofhcc OF
rre.ideut of IN, United states and WILL
io thc best ur my ability. preserve. pro-
te.t and defend the Constitution OF the
United States.
The Republican adds
.Tbat oath Mr. Roosevelt took before
Judge Hazel az Buffalo, y. u, ON sep
TENDER "a. 1907. he was not sworn IN
as MI Mckinley successor, or az Ar'
Cleyaland's successor The law ala not
designate him as merely standing ln
the place of another. The once be-
ionsed to nobody else for 10 was va
can't Nr Roosevelt was sworn ln
/ exactly as any president U.s. he toob
! exactly the same oath. ana, under me
Constitution be- became president OF the
/ United states On his own right ana 10
the fullest constitutional sense.
This BIS one side OF the controversy
/ ON the other side 10 can Doe pointed out
that the Constitution does not provide
that the vice president shall hecom'
i president "a, the death or disability 81
tho latter o. says that "m case ~ th'
removal ~ ibo president from Office. of
of his death. resignation. or inability 9,
dislhsrso the powers and duties uf th'
said Office. the same shall dtyoifo VI
the giO, president O. further pro
vidos that m case both the presidcn
and yic, president are removed Com
gf,ss shall declare what officer shall
Chen act a. president. and such office
shall aCt accordingly. until the dis
! ability be- removed or a president shall
o., elected
According Go these provisions. me-
sic, president. Boo the case 81 the dis
ability of thc president. performs ia
duties deyoIyIug upon the president
and. Boo ease OF the disability ~ both tl
president and vice president am ofi
GER designated by Congress p,r.orm
those duties. "uuul "a president shan Dol
ricrt,d-a clause that seems to clear
It indicate tdtt There .s % constitutions
difference between IHa president am
auy other officer PERFORMING th, duue
oi president temporarily ~ This O.
uu, Nr Roosevelt as y.oe president
fulfilled Ih, duties of president. as Oh
T Constitution provide from The time %
or, desJh .' President Mckinley an
until a new president was elected bu
Dee did not become president until cleo,
cd 20 that office in the regular manner
therefore ho s noN only on his nrs
presidential team.
This if tho other view OF th, question
We fancy BE- cam Boz argusd lndsg1Ite'
ou either SIDE until definitely settled o.
proper auuoUty