Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-10-21
BOURNE
WANTS TO
KNOW
And Offers $1,000 For Best Written
Argument IndOrSing Roosevelt

! Washington, Oct. 21.-Hon iona.
| than Bourne, Jr., of Oregon, United
Estates senator, has taken a uniuue
step to test the sentiment of the
country on the Presidential situa.
ton. Through the National Maya.
zine, of Boston, Mass, he has offered
cash prize reward of $1,000, open
TO the American people, for the
strongest and best-written argu.
ment in support of the following as
lsertions:
First. That the sovereign peo-
lple. and not Theodore Roosevelt. the
individual and public servant. will
decide who shall be his successor.
Second. That Theodore Roose-
welt cannot decline a second elective
term or attempt to name his sue
cessor without making his own per-
sonal desires or egotistical opinions
paramount TO the combined wishes
and intelligence OF the Republican
party and the electorate of the ma
ltion
Third That Roosevelts hon.
esty, courage, initiative, imagina-
tion, versatility, and tremendous
capacity for work, with heart and
brain constantly attuned to the peo.
pies rights and commands, and his
insistence upon the enforcement
rather than avoidance OF laws, and
the protection OF the rights OF men
and property, have TO an unparallel-
ed degree gained the confidence OF
all people; that, in the popular
mind, Roosevelt. during his execu-
tiveship, has demonstrated HIS abil-
Iity and determination TO make good
as the peoples chief public servant.
and not their dictator: that this con-
fidence, being a brain deduction and
not heart emotion. IS impossible of
destruction except by his betrayal !;
that by the selection OF any other
man, business contraction and re-
striction must exist during the per-
iod necessary for him to demon
strate 10 the peoples satisfaction
his ability and determination 10
make good, and therefore, that. bar
ring death or serious illness, Presi-
dent Roosevelt must and will be se-
lected and elected for a second elec.
tive term"
The prize will be awarded March
10, 1908, the contest closing one
month earlier. and three judges.
gentlemen of high standing, will be
named shortly TO pass upon the arr
guments submitted.
Senator Bourne, speaking OF this
offer. said last night: Frankly,
my purpose is TO secure discussion
and agitation resulting in conviction
and capitalization OF opinion. Con-
tdent that the overwhelming senti-
ment OF the country, regardless of
party, favors the denomination and
reelection of Roosevelt, take this
method OF inviting an expression on
the subject. The propositions set
forth speak for themselves. and the
responses thereto will, at least, tend
to disclose the popular feeling ex-
listing today. II the views which /
hold-and which are shared fully,
| may add. by men from every sec
tion with whom ! am brought into
contact-are the views OF the Amer
lean people generally, then IL Is well
to establish tat once. The earlier
the demohstration, the better for the
country.
Nothing more conducive 10 bust.
ness success and public tranquility
could possibly occur at this time, In
my opinion. than the substitution of
certainty for uncertainty regarding
the Presidency, II would be worth
hundreds OF millions of dollars 10
our material interests. The business
world would profit incalculably by
the assurance or reinsurance such
certainty would bring. The admin
istration's policies are accepted and
approval Only the knowledge that
Roosevelt will continue at the helm
is needed TO inaugurate anew an era
OF prosperity on a safer and soundef
basis than ever before Can il
third term or a second elective term,