The Washington herald., 1907-05-04

Absolute nonsense was President Roose-
velt's characterization recently of third
term talk. Any one who could have heard
his verdict or observed his manner would
not have doubted for a moment that the
President is unmoved by the eiamor COM
ing from all parts of the country that he
remain four years more in the White
House. He intends that his declaration
on election night IN November, 1904,
should be taken at It's face value just
as his friends have often said II should be.
But the popular demands for his con-
tinuance in office are serving a purpose,
and for that reason are not altogether
unwelcome to the President at this juno
ture. II is aiding him in the big game
he is now playing 10 secure the adoption
of his policies by the next Republican
national convention. in that particular
the third term movement is timely for
him. He naturally appreciates the COM
piiment as an approval of his admins
trauon of the last six years.
To callers the President has asserted his
intention, however, of speaking of the
agitation in a fashion that viii discourage
all efforts to keep him in the White
House after March 4. 1893 The subject
has been broached to him OF late. but the
President wants to be more certain OF
winning the political battle he is now
fighting.
Buffer for Opponents.
He Is willing to be regarded for a while
as a favorite son Of the United States
and TO use that as a buffer for his op-
ponents who are grooming favorits. sons
In various States,
The President is very well aware that
his opponents have no expectation that
these favorite sons will be nominated
They viii be useful in preventing dele
gates from being pledged to his policies.
lie is just as firmly convinced that he VIII
not have the nomination in the next con-
vention, but the popularity with which
such a nomination is now championed
helps tlhe President TO keep his friends
together and prevents their dispensing 10
the support of divers aspirants
The President is not deceived by the
numerous interviews from senators and
Members OF Congress de- airing for a
third term. Some of them may be sin
Cere enough. but considerable portion of
them are from men not In sympathy with
him, who have something TO gain at
home. Nearly all the Republican Sena-
tors who have come out publicly for a
third term are of the class whose terms
expire March 3, 1909. and who Will come
up next year for reelection The most
emphatic of the Senatorial third-termers,
It happens. are Republicans who have a
fight to get back before them.
HansbrOugh an Example.
conspicuous example is Senator
Henry S. Hansbrough. Of North Dakota,
which is one of the most enthusiastic
Roosevelt States in the Union. He goes
TO the White House offices almost every
week now and, departing. is careful to
tell how anxious he is that Mr. Roosevelt
should be renominated ana reelected.
And as matters stand such statements
are mutually helpful. They help Mr.
Hansborough and other Senators in a
like predicament by attracting Roose-
velts followers to their support. and they
also help the President for the time being
by encouraging the third-term enthusi-
asm. 1t all illustrates. also. the clever
politics played by the occupant of the
White House.
When he makes his speech at Indian
apols, Memorial Day. the President plans
10 outline his policies anew. As now
planned, that speech viii contain some
thing about the Inheritance and income
taxes, and also about the necessity for
Federal legislation TO prevent overcapital-
izatiOn. The President wishes to show
that his interest in the subjects has not
waned, and that he regards them as
essential features Of the policies % which
he is trying to commit the Republican
party.