The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-03-19
AMONG THE EDITORS.
The Presldent,s AIternatIve.


It may be necessary for Theodore
Roosevelt TO select his Successor rs
President of the United States in or.
der TO escape third term himself. II
he should reach that conclnsion-and
circumstances indicate strongly that
he has-there will he no doubt Of. his
choice. 1t will be Secretary Taft. The
President is likely to make no conceal.
ment OF his desire TO nave Mr.. Taft
succeed him. 1ndeei. the peculiar SIT.
ualtion in which AR. Roosevelt finds
himself is likely to force him to come
.oat boldly for Mr.. Taft.
The third.term movement. which
has been alternately rising and sub.
siding, is found to have resembled the
tide. which advances with Irresistible
momentum while appearing to iuctu.
ate. There can be 40 doubt now that
"a majority Of the voters in Republi.
can Ststes are in favor OF Roosevelt
for President. They have made this
plain ia as many ways as they can
and as emphatically as circumstances
would permit. Informal but honest
polls of many State legislatures have
shown an overwhelmingly sentiment &,
favor of Mr.. Roosevelt over all other
Republicans combined. The people
seem 30 regard the tradition against "a
third term as lnapplicable TO Theodore
Roosevelt. Politicians get little com.
fort when they throw up their hands
in horror at the proposed violation
OF unwritten law. Like other unwrit
ten laws, this may be honored more
in the observance than in the breach.
In vain the history Of Grant is quoted
as q horrible example. The people
merely retort that Grant was not
wanted for third term, or he would
have received it.
The Post has given full faith and
credit to Mr.. Roosevelt's statement on
election night of 1904, TO the effect taat
he would not accept the nomination
for the Presidency II It were rendered
to him. We believe he holds the same
position now. He has reiterated his
statement whenever any doubt exist.
ed as II his fixed purpose. He is en-.
titled to sincere belief when he does
all tant could be expected in digni;"
and frsnkness to make himself under.
stood. But there Ia widespread con-
viction that Mr.. Roosevelt would not
ond could not refuse the nomination
!f It were rendered to MIN unanimous.
ly by the Republican party. Acting
upon !!s conviction. his friends in ev.
cry State are planning. to secure this
unanimous action.
The President, therefore. is con
fronted with the alternative of re.
naming silent, and thereby tacitly en-.
couraging the tnirJ.term movement, or
exerting himself in behalf of some 9th.
er person and thereby DETECTING the
movement There is reason 10 he.
lieve that he has already adopted the
latter course, and that within short
time the country will be made aware
t. al Secretary Taft is the Presidents
choice. There is likely to be little
CRITICS IL OF the President for takin-
his ttion, since It is apparent that
he is practically forced to take 1t. I'm.
der ordinary conditions 1t would De
fatal 70 the chances of any man to be
known as the candidate of an out.go-
ing administration. But these are alb.
normal conditions ana extraordinary
times. and the man who is supported
by Theodore Roosevelt for the Presi.
dency may have an enormous advan.
lage in the race.-washinsto Post.