The Washington herald., 1908-03-02
Wants Roosevelt Again.

Editor The Washington Herald:
In the matter OF the $3.50 Roosevelt
Prize" offered by Senator Bourne for
the best written argument OF 1850 words
in support OF certain assertions as 70
why Roosevelt should serve another
term.' have concIusively shown, in dis
cussing two OF the assertions, there is
no Unconstitutional written. or un-
written-policy. OF reasonable sentiment
against a second elective term, or So
called third term; that 1t would be un-
American for the President 10 name his
sTccessOr; and the making OF President
Roosevelt's successor is wholly in the
hands Of the people. and that whatever
the people want and make Up their
minds to stand for. is constitutional. or
destined TO be constitutional. and. having
made up their mind 10 re-elect him. Theo-
dore Roosev1iS, individual and public serv-
ant, is merged in the body-politic, and
must OF necessity, bow TO the will OF
the sovereign people.
In a discussion OF this third proposition,
We seek, first, the causes producing
Ro0sevelt's policies; second the nature
of the policies, third, their accomplish
ment; fourth, their opposition, with its
character, its methods OF obstruction. and
It's force for reeetions fifth, the peculiar
characteristics Of Theodore Roosevelt
man and public servant-to make the
people call him aor another term, TO con-
summate his policies, or so permanently
10 fix them on the government that, Of
necessity. tl.ey must be carried to legiti-
mate oncIlsion-executed-by his sue
cessoTs.
The civil war Congress made contracts
of vast proportions. involving millions OF
dollars each. sometimes OF stress OF
emergency. many times not. whereby the
government lost and individuals gained
In the forty years after. with the civil
war experience and taste for government
pap, opportunities were created for con-
tract loot Of tn public Treasury. The
times for IL were ripe The loose period
OF eeonsuuetiOn existed. The virgin. un-
bounded country lay open for exploita-
ton and development
For forty years, the country had been
undergoing political, territorial, Industrial.
commercial. and transportation develop
ment unsurpassed in the worlds history.
Government enterprises involving thou
sands OF millions OF dollars were eclipsed
millions-fold by corporate and individual
outlay. In the unprecedented develop
ment of the unlimited resources Of the
country, a priod of the greatest prosper
ity prevailed. absorbing the people In
wealth-getting. 10 gorgetfulness of public
Treasury and the general welfare.
For forty years, the nations Presidents
were products and powers Of party-fac-
ton bosses and demagogues, monopoly
ruled President-makers, and the brief life
OF each fitted out without policy Of ad-
ministrative reform. Congress-party-
faction controlled. Mstless In patriotism.
lacking In initiative-let things drift. and
the people. stepped in soddan commercial
pursuits and materialistic gain. went with
eyes closed until the war with Spain.
An army OF 10000 lay on the field of
disease, poisoned by rotten food supplies
monopoly greed administered in loot OF
the public Treasury, party-faction Con-
gress helped. There was q rude awaken
ing of the people The public pulse was
at fever heat. A cry went up 10 crush
monopoly and make corporations respect
the law. Government investigations fol-
lowed, without correcting the evil abuses.
There were no policies of administrative
reform. If the war with Spain We're OF
no other value, II was enough In the
good Of the powerful impetus given in
arousing public opinion against monopoly
privileges.
Industrial-war years had threatened.
hanging black pail over the nation.
The man of the hour had long been want
ing. The Great Exenplar OF Nations
raises a leader in the nations peril
Providence sent Washington to clear the
aeld Of tyrants, and Roosevelt to purify