The Washington herald., 1907-05-20
MONDAY. NAY %. 1901.
senator Bourne and His Puzzle.

1EHdAbi DttA nE anu his tuksAGs
Once more the Hon Jonathan Bourne.
junior Senator from the State Of Oregon.
IS impeIled to break into the public prints
with the assertion that only by the nomi-
nation and election Of President Roose-
welt for a Second elective term" can
the country make certain OF the carrying
out of the Roosevelt policies. or the peo-
PIES policies. as MI Bourne Charac acterizes
them. Once more he declares that the
people must command" Mr.. Roosevelt
10 be a candidate TO succeed himself. and
once more. with undiminished emphasis,
he lets it be known that this interview
is given without consultation with any
one"
II IS not our purpose at this time To
consider the question Of whether or not
the denomination and reelection 0f the
President is vital 10 the continuation Of
the course which has characterized his
administration thus far. At various times
in the past we have recorded our opinions
with reference TO that phase Of the situa-
ton. The point that is now in our mind
concerns the apparent incompatibility be-
tween Senator Bourne's reiterated decla-
rations and the often expressed determina-
ton OF Mr. Roosevelt 20 abide by the
statement made by him on the night Of
the election three years ago, 10 the effect
that under no circumstances would he be
~ aspirant for another nomination or
permit his name TO be used in that con-
necton
Senator Bourne is a confdant Of the
President During the last two months
or 50 ne has been n the White House
more frequently. perhaps. than any other
public man. He has conferred with the
President for hours at time The two
have walked together. and it is reasonable
10 assume that the state Of the weather
and the condition Of the crops have not
furnished the sole topics Of conversation
There is not the slightest official evidence
that Mr. Roosevelt is even inclined to
rccede from the attitude he has so often
outlined. On the contrary, there have
been many intimatons that his resolution
not to be candidate is stronger than
ever. Senator Bourne. close friend Of
the President as he is. must know this.
Why, then, does he persist in urging the
second elective term" idea?
Altogether. the puzzle is a pretty one.
and one that is causing the politicians
much concern. Not long ago II was an
nounced by newspapers whose CORE
spondents are in touch with the White
House that reiteratiOn Of the Prcsi-
dents purpose to keep out Of the running
would soon be forthcoming. VIII Senator
BOUrne's second Interview" have the ef-
feet Of fastening this development? And
# there is no addition to the numerous
statements on the subject already made
by the President. will the public be justi-
fed in concluding that Mr.. Roosevelt is
TO be regarded IS a possible successor
Of himself, after aT2
This latter question is one in which the
people Of the United States have a large
interest Indeed, we think We do not go
too far when we say they have a right
70 en- authoritative answer. Certainly the
political situation would be greatly sim
pllfed if it should appear that the Presi-
dent believes his duty tends in the direc-
tion Of another term, his former positive
declarations in the premises to the cor
trary Notwithstanding