New-York tribune., 1907-10-21
SENATOR BOURNES PLAN.
Testing Sentiment on the PreSi-
dency.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau.1


Washington. Oct. Ex-senator Bourne of Oregon,
has taken a unique step to test sentiment of
the country on the Presidential situation. He has
offered cash prize of 81 200. open to all comers,
for the strongest and best written argument in
support of the following propositions:
d9re Roosevelt the Individual nd M and public servant.
Second-That Theodore Roosevelt cannot decline
n second elective term or attempt To- name his
or egotisticai opinions paramount to the combined
wishes and intelligence of the Republican party and
Third-That Roosevelt's honesty. courage. initia-
tive imagination versatility and tremendous capa-
tuned TO the peoples rights and commands, and his
ance Of laws, and the protection OF the rights OF
men and property have to an unParatsed a degree rec
popular mind, Roosevelt, during his eXecuttveship.
has Demonstrated his ability and determination to
and not their dictator; that this confidence being
possible of destruction except by his betrayal that
traction and restriction must exist during the period
necessary for him to demonstrate 10 the people ;
good and. therefore, that barring death or serious
illness, President Roosevelt must and will be Sc
lected and elected for second elective term
The prize will be awarded on March 15 1903. the
contest closing one month earlier and three Judges
men Of high standing. will be named shortly TO
pass upon the arguments submitted.
Senator Bourne. speaking OF this offer. said to-
night: Frankly. my purpose Is to secure discus
sion and agitation resulting in conviction and crys-
talzation Of opinion. Confident that the over
whelming sentiment Of the country, regardless Of
party, favOrs the denomination and reelection OF
Roosevelt. 1 take this method of inviting an ex-
preston the subject The propositions set forth
speak for themselves. and the responses thereto
will. at least tend to disclose the popular feeling
existing to-day. II the views which I hold-and
which are shared fully. I may add. by men from
every section with whom am brought into con-
tact-are the views of the American people gem
orally then It is we'll TO establish that fact and
establish II at once. The earlier the demonstration
the better for the country.
Nothing more conducive 10 business success and
public tranquility could possibly occur at this
time. in my opinion. than the substitution OF GER
tanty for uncertainty regarding the Presidency 1t
would be worth hundreds OF millions OF dollars
material interests. The business world would
profit intellectually by the assurance reinsurance
such a certainty would bring. The administrations
policies accepted and approved. Only the
knowledge that Roosevelt will continue at the helm
is needed 20 inaUgurate anew of prosperity
n safer and sounder basis than before
Call II third term n second elective term.
YOU like: the exigeuCles Of the times demand that
he four years more. Il is a patriotic duty
which he owes to his country. He cannot shirk It,
If he would, without making self greater than
country and forfeiting the respect and public
hdenCe he now holds He will not shirk It once the
people make their wishes known Now IS the time
for them TO be heard