The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-12
Once More and Finally President
Roosevelt Declares
That He Positively Will Not
Accept Another Nomination.
PUBLIC DECLARATION.
Awaited the Action Of the
National Committee.
Bryan Says He Never Had Any
Doubt on the Subject.

Washington, Dec. 12.-President
Roosevelt will not be candidate for
third term. All doubt on this point
has been dispelled by an authoritative
statement from the White House that
Mr.. Roosevelt still adhered to the de-
claration of remuneration made on the
night of the election three years ago.
In the statement issued President
Roosevelt says he has not changed and
snail not change the decision delivered
to the American people in 1904.
1t appears that President Roosevelt
had been awaiting the call for the Re-
publican national convention to afford
the proper opportunity for making his
position clear and unmistakable thus
leaving the field clear for Fairbanks,
Taft, Cannon, Knox, Foraker and
further declared or receptive candi-
dates for the Republican nomination.
The presidents statement follows:
'On the night after election I made
the following announcements: L am
deeply sensible of the honor done me
by the American people in thus ex-
pressing their confidence in what 1
have done and have tried to do. ap-
preciate to the full the solemn respon-
sibility this confidence imposes upon
me, and 1 shall do all that in my pow
er lies not to forfeit it. On the fourth
of March next I shall have served
and half years constitute my first
term. The wise custom which limits |
the president to two terms regards the |
substance and not the form, and under |
no circumstances will be a candidate |
for or accept another nomination.
Il have not changed and shall not |
change the decision thus announced"
Bryan Expected 1t.
Lincoln. Neb., Dec 12.-When told
that President Roosevelt had made |
"a rot ton 4 I, l.
a candidate for third term, w. ]. |
Bryan expressed no surprise. He de- |
clared the position of the president /
was as he expected. Mr.. Bryan said:
Il have assumed from the beginning |
that President Roosevelt would not be |
a candidate. The statement he issued |
the night of election left no room FOR |
misunderstanding and I have felt that |
his friends were doing him an injustice |
in suggesting that he would change his
position on the subject"
Helps Hughes Boom.
New York. Dec. 12.-The Off !,
cial announcement from the
White House that President Roosevelt
would adhere to his earlier determine
ton not to accept a denomination was
received with interest but hardly with
by party leaders here. The
president generally had been taken at
his word and those in whose political
judgment more confidence is felt had |
the statement.
While it was pointed out that the
argument that the president might by
sheer force of circumstances be COM
PEELED to accept third term nominal
ton against his will, was potent as
ever the consensus of opinion among
those seen was that Mr.. Roosevelt's
clear cut and decisive language had
taken him out of the situation. The
suggestion that Mr.. Roosevelt could
accept a second elective"
term was disposed of, it was thought.
by the presidents own words.
1t was generally agreed that the elm
nation of Mr.. Roosevelt's name brought
that of Governor Hughes as New York's
candidate sharply to the front.
Governor Hughes never has permit
ted others to speak for him, but Sen
ator Alfred r. Page is probably as close
to the governor as any one is allowed
to get. When here last Saturday Sen
ator Page said:
. .eWithout exception the friends of
Governor Hughes are convinced that
Under no circumstances will he accept
4 denomination for governor. He has
made sacrifices enough, and will have
completed the work he has chosen to
To- The same qualities, however, which
would make him again desirable a
governor would make him desirable in
he office of president"
senator Long Is Pleased.
Washington, Dec. 12.-Members of
the Democratic national committee,
who were here, were among the most
Interested of the readers of the an
that President Roosevelt
aad reiterated his determination not to
accept another nomination for the pres
dency and while most of them were
reserved in their comment, it was evil
lent that they saw in it a favorable
omen for their own party.
Several of them were frank enough
% express the opinion that President
Roosevelt could poll a larger Democrat
C vote than any other candidate and
heir inference was that with the pres
dent absolutely out of the race the
Democratic candidate would not only /
.etain the vote of his own party, but
would stand a better show of making
nroads upon the opposition.
LAS a supporter of Taft I am very
much gratified that the statement has
,een made.
This was the remark of Senator Long ,
If Kansas, who was an early White
Iouse caller today. Mr.. Long added
hat he had always believed the presi-
lent's former statement and considered
hat Mr.. Roosevelt had never contem-
plated being a candidate again.