The Washington herald., 1907-03-03
By BROUGHTON BRANDENBURG.


Whether Theodore Roosevelt is to be
compelled by the American people to be-
come his own successor as President is
now and for year viii be the most inn
portant and the most discussed Of al
political problems.
That Mr. Roosevelt has emphatically
announced his determination not to seek
a second election is well known, but that
the pressure TO induce him TO reconsider
this determination is increasing daily is
apparent In all parts of America Mr..
Roosevelt is urged to take another term,
the main argument advanced being that
the so-called unwritten law against a
third term does not apply in his case.
Some friends of Mr.. Roosevelt are in
clined 10 take him at his word and are
looking elsewhere for Presidential timber.
Others, just as loyal and sincere, take the
opposite vein and declare that his duty is
paramount and that his inclinauons or de-
sires have no part in the crisis he is
about 10 face.
Opinion Not Readily Secured.
There is no question existing to-day on
which the spokesmen of the political
parties are so loath TO express an opinion.
For SO delicate and involved is the topic
that the enemies of Mr. Roosevelt are
careful not to stir it up. while his friends
do not desire TO antagonize him or make
themselves ridiculous by pretending 10
appear as givers of advice to a man who
after all will have his own way.
The Herald has collected and herewith
presents the views of many leaders ~
varied walks of life. No man who might
be reckoned as a Presidential candidate
was approached for his opinion, nor was
any one whose official position or bust
ness situation was such that it might be
injured by his expressions Men prominent
merely by. reason of wealth or social posi-
ton were eliminated.
That the results of this inquiry were
astonishing can easily be understood by
a perusal Of the opinions herewith pre-
scented. The politicians took their party
lines. many Democrats, however. praising
8ir. Roosevelt. while they declared against
another term. Men involved in gigantic
industriaIs and commercial enterprises
were unanimous I'm favor of another term
for Mr. Roosevelt with the exception Of
John Wanamaker. who says, 4 agree
with his good sense on the question.
Must Compel His Acceptance.
Publicists and others who are in the
front of public life for various reasons
were disposed 10 have views along similar
lines. Many of these declined 20 be
quoted, but all but three of these vouch-
safed the confidential opinion that there
was nothing to do but compel Mr.. RoOse-
welt to accept a third term. Others went
so far as 10 say they hoped this joint eX-
preston of a company of men whose
word is important in such a matter would
precpitate the general agitation and SO
lead 10 a realization by Mr.. Roosevelt,
his friends and his enemies, that the COM
mon people OF all parties want him TO
remain where he is.
The form of question accounts for tue
wording of many Of the replies The men
were asked as TO their attitude on third
term for any President, first and a third
term for Mr. Roosevelt. secOndarily.
One Democratic Senator who bitterly
assails Mr.. Roosevelt in public life wrote
a confidential letter praising the Presi-
dent both as an individual and Official,
and ending with the hope that he might
be renominated and elected as a truly pa
triotic President.
There were some oddities that cropped
out. such as Richard Mansfield's declara-
ton for constitutional monarchy, Rus
sell Gardeners slogan of supremacy OF the
whites and Charles a. Towne's prophecy
that Mr. Roosevelt viii be renominated
and elected
There was also developed strong ex-
preston of opinion in favor of an amend
ment 10 the Constitution making the term
six years instead Of four.