The Washington herald., 1907-12-07
President Doubts the POpu-
lar-demand Theory.
A PERSONAL SACRIFICE
Thinks This Would Probably
Follow His Candidacy.
while COgnizant Of Feeling Exist
ing I'm. Many Quarters, Present
White House Occupant Il OF the
Opinion That His Seeking the Of
fee Again Would Impose Heavier
Burden than Party should Impose.

President Roosevelt is not candidate
for denomination in 1908
Everybody knows this.
He said the night of the election of
1904 that he should regard this as his
second term. and would not stand for re-
election. At no time has his position in
this respect wavered in the slightest de-
gree. He has felt and still feels. those
in his confidence say, that another term.
with the hard campaign preceding it,
would involve a large personal sacrifice
and heavier burden than the Republi-
can party should ask OF him.
President Roosevelt, naturally. is cog
infant of the feeling existing in many
quarters-much Of it genuine feeling. and
some of it promoted to serve the in
terests of politicians who are not really
friendly toward him-in favor Of his max
ing the race next year. He feared at
one time, according TO his friends. that
this feeling might grow into a popular
depand which would leave him power
less in the PREMISES demand which
could not be resisted by any patriotic
American citizen
The Friendly Sentiment.
But President Roosevelt does not now
believe that the friendly sentiment for
him viii take the form OF such a popular
demand. He looks forward 10 the possi-
bility Of no such contingency. He con-
siders 1t not only improbable. but alto
gether out Of the question.
Therefore. when callers at the White
House, including national committeeman
here to fix the time and place Of the next
national convention. breach the subject
TO him uppermost in their minds. he an
swers freely and unequivocally: THAT
cannot be-
Such Republicans as George A knight.
! Of California, a sincere and ardent be-
llever N Roosevelt, says he can no longer
be considered in the Presidential equa-
ton; that he Is not only not candidate
or aspirant, but that he is personally
hostile to the very suggestion OF his can
didacy. Tins view is accepted by all who
know him best.
But many other Republicans. unlike Mr.
Knight. believe President Roosevelt al
ready Is helpless; that a condition has
developed and will still further develop.
which. in the end, viii compel him to
subordinate his intentions and desires 70
the command Of the masses II ne could
not in 1900 resist the effort TO make him
a candidate for Vice President, they ask.
how could he prevent his party again
nominating him for the highest Office
within the gift of the country?
Both Foremost Figures.
All the politicians in Washington recog-
nize that Theodore Roosevelt and William
Jennings Bryan are to-day the foremost
figures in American politics. The re-
markable trend of the times has given
them greater eminence than they ever
enjoyed before. Each holds undisputed
leadership of his party. Many Republi-
cans admit that, with any other candi-
/ date than Roosevelt, the election of
Bryan would be easily within the range
/ Of probability. Democrats, on the other
hand, or many of them at least. con-
cede the greater strength 10 Roosevelt.
but are fast coming to the belief that
Bryan would defeat any other candidate
than Roosevelt.
This. then, is the situation in a nut
she'll Expressions OF the past few days
carry with them no special significance.
and do not alter the facts
Shrewd Republicans, however. are not
a CO. 10 IN,
tion for Roosevelt They believe that
unless district and State conventions that
choose electors are stampeded for him.
the national convention Itself is mora
likely to be stampeded for Knox. or Cor
telyou, or Cannon. or Hughes. and possi-
bly, Foraker
Taft, in spite of his administration
backing. is now generally looked upon
as likely 10 be last in the race, if he
really enters It.
The President has abandoned his atti
tude of reticence in regard to the third
term movement, and has talked freely
with the national committeeman in a
way that has convinced them of his de-
termination to rei.erate his election night
remuneration as soon as what he regards
as the proper opportunity arrives.
They Like Mr.. Taft.
Perhaps. the decision of the President
10 abandon his recent attitude of
reticence is due to the pleasing news i'm
parted to him by a considerable number
of the national committeeman that sen
timent in the committee indicates that
Gov Hughes has no show for the Presi
Dental nomination. There is. apparently.
a very decided feeling that New York
States executive should not be nomi
mated. Gov. Hughes Republicanism. II
Is declared. is open to question. He is re-
garded as strong man of upright prin-
ciples but his attitude on national Gues-
tons, it is found out has not been made
sufficiently clear. Beside, according 20
what is known in national committee
circles, his personality is such that no
would not make an attractive candidate
TO the general run of voters
A considerable number of the Southern
national committeeman, who came here
talking third-term. have suddenly Shift
ed to Taft. They have seen some hand
writing on the walls of the White House
In other words. they have had a tin thar
Mr.. Roosevelt will not run again. and
that he is using his influence for the can
didacy Of the Secretary of War
The Taft sentiment is not confirmed by
the Southerners. however. Some Of the