The Washington herald., 1907-10-21

Hon. Jonathan Bourne. jr., Of Oregon.
United States Senator has taken
unique step to test the sentiment Of the
country on the PresidentiaT situation.
Through the National Magazine. Of Bos-
ton. Mass. he has offered cash prize
reward Of S1CN. open 20 the American
people for the strongest and best-writ-
ten argument in support OF his following
assertions;
"First-That the sovereign people. and
not Theodore Roosevelt. the individual
and public servant, viii decide who shall
be his successor.
'Sec0nd-That Theodore Roosevelt can
not decline a second elective term or at
tempt 20 name his successor without
making mis- own personal desires or ego
tistcal opinions paramount to the COM
Dined wishes and intelligence Of the Re
publican party and the electorate Of the
nation.
'Third-That RoOsevelts honesty, cour-
age. initiative imagination, versatility
and tremendous capacity for work, with
heart and brain constantly attuned 10 the
peoples rights and commands. and his
insistence upon the enforcement rather
than avoidance of laws. and the protec-
tiou Of the rights of men and property.
have to an unparalleled degree gained
the confidence Of all people that. in the
popular mind, Roosevelt, during his Ex-
ecutiveship. has demonstrated his ability
and determination to make good as the
peoples chief public servant, and not their
dictator; that this confidence. being q
brain deduction and not heart emo
tiCn. is impossible Of destruction except
by his betrayal; that by the selection Of
any other man. business contraction and
restriction must exist during the period
| necessary for him 20 demonstrate to the
peoples satisfaction his ability and deter
mination To make good, and. therefore,
that, barring death or serious illness
President Roosevelt must and win be
selected and elected for q second elective
/ term"
The prize viii be awarded March 10,
/ 1898. the contest closing one month ear
lier. and three judges, gentlemen Of high
standing. viii be named shortly 20 pass
upon the arguments submitted.
Popular Expression Sought.
Senator Bourne. speaking OF this offer,
said last night: Frankly, my purpose is
/ 20 secure discussion and agitation result
/ ing in conviction and crystaIlization OF
opinion. Confident that the overwhelming
sentiment OF the country. regardless OF
party, fsv0rs the denomination and re-
election OF Roosevelt, 1 take this method
0f inviting an expression on the subject.
/ The propositions set forth speak for them
selves, and the responses thereto will. al
1 least. tend TO disclose the popular feeling
/ existing to-day If the views which ]
hold-and which are shared fully. I may
add, by men from every section with
whom am brought into contact-are the
views Of the American people generally.
/ then il IS Wei 10 establish that fact and
establish Il al once. The earlier the dem
I onStratl0n. the better for the country.
/ Nothing more conducive TO business
success and public tranquility could pos
sibly occur at this time in my opinion.
/ than the substitution OF certainty for un-
/ certainty regarding the Presidency. It
would be worth hundreds Of millions Of
dollars 10 our material interests The
business world would profit intellectually
by the assurance or reinsurance such
certainty would bring. The administra-
tons policies are accepted and approved.
Only the knowledge that Roosevelt viii
continue al the helm is needed 10 IN
augurate anew On era of prosperity on "a
safer and sounder basis than ever before.
Can it a third term or a second elective
term. as you like. the exigencies Of the
times demand that he serve four years
more. II IS a patriotic duty which he
owes 10 his country He cannot shirk IT,
if he would. without making self greater
than country and forfeiting the respect
and public confidence he now holds. He
will not shirk IT, once the people make
their wishes known. Now is the time for