The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-01
THE THIRD TERM MOVEMENT

Within the past ten days there ap-
| pears to have sprung up in different
parts OF the country a spontaneous
movement to force President Roose-
welt to accept reelection from a
sense of public duty, in spite of his
personal wishes. 1t is difficult to tell
just what started this movement
There appears to be nothing concerted
about it. but it evidently comes from a
deep-rooted hope that the president
can be prevailed upon to serve the
country in the White House for an
other term.
So prominent a figure in national
politics as Senator Albert ]. Beveridge,
of Indiana. is quoted by the Washing
ton Post as expressing virtually the
opinion that the presidential contest
next year is rapidly narrowing down
to two entries, Bryan and Roosevelt.
The interview, for which the Post
vouches as coming from a reliable
source. Is as follows:
ST have given my pledge to support
Vice President Fairbanks in his. can
didacy for the presidential nominal
ton. He will have the Endorsement of
our state, and it is my purpose to
stand by him and work for him. At
the same time. it Is my opinion that
Colonel William J. Bryan will be our
next president unless Mr.. Roosevelt is
renominated by the Republicans.
ct have been around the country
considerably, and there Is a tremend-
GUS sentiment in favor of the presi-
dents denomination. 1t is my obser-
walton that this feeling, instead OF
diminishing as the time for the ma
tional convention approaches, Is grow
ing. There seems to be a determine
ton on the part of the people to have
him again, whether he wants 1t or not
Democratic sentiment, on the other
hand. is overwhelmingly for Colonel
Bryan, and in my opinion, it is certain
he will be nominated again next year"
To be sure, Senator Beveridge's
friendship for Vice President Fair
banks-who is, of course. an impossi-
bility-may lead him to be somewhat
pessimistic concerning the outlook for
Republican success in case President
Roosevelt persists in his determination
not to run again. In that respect a
good many friends of Roosevelt will
differ from the senator, for nearly all
of the personal following of President
Roosevelt will be for Taft for second
choice, and it is difficult to see how
Taft could be defeated If nominated.
The same reactionary Wall street ele-
ment that would be against Taft would
also be against Roosevelt
1t is doubtless true that the great
majority of the American people
would be glad to see Roosevelt accept
another term, and the greater part Of
those who have taken him at his word
in his refusal to run again, have
turned to Taft as his most worthy sue
cessor. They have done this for two
reasons. First. because the secretary
of war has shown himself to be man
of great executive ability, more ca
pable of accomplishing great things
than any other candidate in the field;
and second, because he believes in the
things the people want and would
carry out the Roosevelt policies.
At the same time, most of these
Taft adherents would prefer to keep
Roosevelt himself in the White House
for another term If he would consent,
and doubtless none would be quicker
to endorse such a programme than the
big secretary of war himself.