Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-06
PRESIDENTIAL FlNESsH7


Is there an Interior purpose in the
dust the president is kicking up at
this time in his attack on railway
and other trust magnates?
In seeking the cause OF the extraor-
dlnary strenuousness recently manifest
ed by the president in this respect,
particularly his seeming eagerness to
antagonize those magnates, certain
phases Of the political situation may
be considered.
For a starter It should be remem-
bered that Theodore Roosevelt was ac-
counted a bright young politician a
quarter Of a century ago and 1t is
needless to say that he has been
Frightening in that regard ever since.
Since the time Of his first election as
member of the New York legislature
in 1881 he has shown evidence Of being
imbued with phenomenal political am
bition The presidency was Che gilt
tering prize that attracted him. as the
magnet attracts the needle, until he
ultimately attained his desire.
Has that ambition been satisfied, or
is it likely to be satisfied when the
noon hour arrives on March 4, 1909?
At that time he will have passed the
age of fifty years only four months
and few days. He will still he a
possibilities. the youngest man who
ever filled a term as president Of the
United States.
Much is said and written in these
days bearing on the probabilities of
what the president will do after he
vacates the executive chair. But not
an intimation that line has come
from the president himself.
His predecessors quite generally
looked forward with pleasure to relief
from the tribulations of the presiden-
tial office and they were wont to ex-
press the pleasurable anticipation.
Nothing approaching such desire, so far
as is known to the public, has ever
escaped the lips of Theodore Roose-
yelt
Notwithstanding his irpetuous dec
aration made on the night of his cleo
ton to the effect that he would not
again be a candidate for the presi-
lency it is a safe guess that he does
lot contemplate with pleasure the act
If stepping down and out on March 4,
909, He not only gives no indication
f,1a Of hot httf
ire manifest signs that he would be
delighted" with an opportunity to
etain the executive chair another four
'ears.
This brings us to the point of con-
idering the unslaked ambition of the |
PRESIDENT, as assumed, in connection |
With the obstacles in the way. He |
Knows that his voluntary pledge on
he night of his election and the bar
ier of precedent against third pres
Dental term are practically insur-
But great emergencies sometimes up |
let precedents. Washington responded |
% public appeal the year before his
leath when he accepted command of
the American army in anticipation of
war with France. Cincinnatus was
prevailed upon twice, the last time
when he was so years old, to leave his
etirement and accept the dictatorship |
o save Rome.
The United States is not likely to |
ace an actual emergency that would |
ause an unusual popular appeal to the
resident to remain in the executive |
cat four years more. But an apparent |
might answer the purpose |
f inducing the Republican party to
lamor for four years more of Roose-
cit, nolens Yolens.
What more effective means could be |
evised for working up a Republican
6rty emergency than the instigation of |
fight between the president and the |
lagnates whom he is now starting
fter with his big stick?
The president is man of great po-
tical sagacity and of wonderful polit-
cal resource, as we'll as of the kind !
Z ambition that is not likely to flicker
nd die at the comparatively early age
f so years.