The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-15
HANGS UP $1,000.
Prize for Strongest Argument for
Reelection of Roosevelt.

Washington, Oct. Is. - Senator
Bourne of Oregon, at whose dinner
the famous 5 million dollar conspiracy
against Roosevelt was revealed, has
evolved a novel plan for forcing an
other nomination on Mr.. Roosevelt.
Senator Bourne has offered a cash
prize of $1,000 for the strongest argu-
ment which can be advanced in sup
port of the contention that Roosevelt
should yield 'to the demands of the
people" and accept another term in
the White house.
The Oregon senator has contriVed
to put himself at the 'front.' of the
agitation in favor of another term for
views at every opportunity favorable
or unfavorable, DANGEROUSLY insisting
that the people of the west want
Roosevelt and no one else. He was
elected by a legislature pledged to the
Roosevelt policies and has broken all
records for the number Of visits any.
statesman has made at the White
house. His interviews ceased to be or
value and now he has come forward
with a plan which will force atten-
ton, wisely timing his announcement
for the brief period when the pres1-
dent is in the Louisiana cane brakes.
The language in which the an
nouncement of Senator Bourne is
worded does not support his insistent
assertions of personal loyalty to the
president If Senator Bourne had been
identified with the reactfonary move
ment in the Republican party he has
persistently denounced, he could
scarcely have proceeded with greater
design. The medium through which
the arguments are to be presented is
the National Magazine of Boston and
the contentious he seeks to have es-
ia blished are:
Points to Be Established.
1 That the sovereign people, and
not Theodore Roosevelt, the individual
and public servant will decide who
shall be his successor.
2. That Theodore Roosevelt can not
decline a second elective term or at
tempt to name his successor without
making his own personal desires or
egotisticaI opinions paramount to the
combined wishes and intelligence or
the Republican party and the elector-
ate of the nation.
8. That Roosevelt's honesty, cour-
age, initiative, imagination, versatility
and tremendous capacity for work with
heart and brain cons family attuned TO
the peoples rights and commands, and
his insistence upon the enforcement
rather than evidence of laws, and the
protection of the rights of men and
property, have to an unparalleled de-
gree gained the confidence of all peo-
pie; that. in the popular mind, Roose-
welt during his eXecutivesh1p, mas
his ability and deter
mination to make good as the peoples
tator; that this confidence, being
brain deduction and not a heart emo
ton, is impossible of destruction ex-
cept by his betrayal; that by the selec-
ton of any other man, business con-
traction and restriction must exist dur
ing the period necessary for him to
to the peoples satisfaction
his ability and determination to make
good and therefore, that, barring |
death or serious illness, President
Roosevelt must and will be selected and
elected for a second elective term.
The prize will be awarded March Is, |
1908, the contest closing month ear
Ter, and three judges will be named I
shortly to pass upon the arguments |
su omitted.
Senator Bourne, speaking of this Of |
'er today said frankly: My purpose |
s to secure discussion and agitation |
,esulting in conviction and crvstalliza-
ion of opinion. Confident that the
sentiment of the coun-
ry, regardless of party, favors the re-
and election of Roosevelt,
take this method of inviting an ex>
preston on the subject.