The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1907-06-20
CHOICE DELEGATES, THE PRESIDENTS
CHIEF INTEREST.

CHIEF INTEREST.
We take the following from The
Washington Post:
"a delegation from one Of the
Southern States called at the White
House recently and informed the
President that its State would send
a delegation to the next national
convention whose first choice would
be Roosevelt.
"But ! am more interested In
knowing who will be their second
choIce," promptly responded the
President. Ia this way he reitera-
ted his refusal to be a candidate for
another term, and at the same time
emphasized upon his callers the i'm
portance Of looking after the second
choice delegates.
To care for the second choice dele
gates is to be a distinct feature Of
the Taft boomers policy. The Presi-
dent, in impressing upon his friends
the importance Of keeping a sharp
lookout for the second-choice dele
gates, betrayed an apprehension over
the alleged programme Of the alive
Million Dollar Conspirators," which
included a play upon the favorite
son idea.
Ii is not likely that any steps will
be taken by the President or his
friends to prevent the selection and
instruction Of Roosevelt delegates
to the national convention of 1908
Those States which show a DISPOSE
ton to select Roosevelt delegates in
disregard of the Presidents election
night announcement will not be
hampered in doing so, but each dele
gate, according to the understand
ing Of the Administration wishes,
will be examined carefully and will
be given a second choice treatment
to prevent wrong delivery"
No newspaper in the country is
more accurate than the Post as to in
formation from the White House.
SO the above most significant state
ment comes with the added force of
correctness.
We regret that the Post did not
give the name of the State from
which the Southern Republicans
hailed.
What the President said about his
first concern being that the dele
gates to the National Convention
should be reliable for true second.
choice candidate applies, of course,
as we'll to all other States.
And the President must have had
North Carolina in his mind, for he
knows that State Chairman Adams
has so far lodged the second-choice
proposition, about which the Presi-
dent is most concerned. Besides
when Adams was forced to come
from under cover and declare for
Roosevelt, he did it in a hating
and unsatisfactory way. He said
that "if' the President was sa can
didate for the third term," that he
was for him.
This Is not the kind of talk to
be expected from a sincere friend of
the policies of the present Admins
tration. Every one knows that the
President will not be a candidate,
and that the only possible way of
getting him to consent to serve his
country again is to tender him a |
nomination and to appeal to him to |
yield to the call of the people as a |
patriotic duty. And this is what |
the people want to do regardless of
the politicians. Besides no one ex-
poets to hear anyone talking about
a "third term" except the enemies
OF the President. 1t is this kind of
talk and conduct that has naturally
aroused the suspicion of the friends
of the President. And it is well
that the President has taken notice
of it and is also on the alert.