New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
Asserts Third Term" Statement
Meant Third Consecutive
Term" and Is Happy Be.
cause Fight for Prin-
ciple" Is On.
REVIEWS PLEA FOR RECALL
Reiterates Columbus Doctrine in Ad-
dress to Massachusetts Legislature
Would Put People Above Courts
IF That Be Revolution,
Make the Most of II.

Boston, Feb. 2s.-Colonel Roosevelt
plunged into the thick OF the fight for
the Presidential nomination to-day. He
said unequivocally that he was in the
fight to the end and was glad Of II. He
replied to the charge that he would be
breaking his third term pledge II he
accepted another nomination. and as
serted that whether or not he should bs
the choice OF his party at the Chicago
convention he would abide by its de-
cision.
Il am perfectly happy now" said he.
because l am making a straight out
| fight for a principle. The issue is in no
way personal one."
DO you intend to support the Repub-
| lican nominee, whoever he may be?' was
| asked.
"of course I SHALL" he replied with
emphasis.
In response to inquiries as to the prin-
ciple for which he is fighting Colonel
Roosevelt pointed to his speeches In CO.
lumbus, Ohio, last week. and before the
Massachusetts House to-day. In his ad-
dress to-day he defended his proposal
for limited recall of judicial decisions
and championed the right of popular
opinion to control the machinery Of gov
eminent.
Explains Third Term Position.
Colonel Roosevelt's position in regard
to the third term" was explained to
number of his callers to-day.
MY position is perfectly simple" he
said. Il stated II as clearly as I could
in 1904. and reiterated 1t In 1907. said
that would not accept nomination for
third term under any circumstances.
reaning, of course, third consecutive
term.
II could not have said less at the
time, nor could / have said more. OF
course, I could not then know whether
or not there would be demand for me
to accept a nomination at some future
time. And believing, as I do. that the
selection of candidates for the Presidency
rests entirely with the people, 1 could
not say that at no time in my life would
/ accept another nomination.
1T must be clear to any reasonable
man that the precedent which forbids a
third term has reference only to a third
consecutive term. 1t grew out Of the
fact that a President Of the United
States, under the present convention
system Of eecting delegates, can, IL he
knows how TO use the machinery at his
disposal, renomnate himself, even
though the majority OF his party IL
against him. But after he has been out
Of office for a term he has lost control
Of that machinery. He is in the position
absolutely OF any private citizen. The
machinery Is then In the hands OF the
man occupying the office Of President"
Colonel Sees Politicians.
Colonel Roosevelt devoted a large part
of the day to comforting with the men
who are forming the Roosevelt organiza-,
ton in Massachusetts. He told them
that he would not identify himself ac-
lively, for the present at least, with the
organization. He also talked for soma
time with Governor Robert Bass of New
Hampshire, whom he is to meet again
tomorrow. After taking lunch with
Mrs Roger Wolcott, widow Of a Cow
ernor of Massachusetts,, and Margaret
Deland. the novelist, he went to- the
state House and thence to the home OF
Speaker Grafton Gushing, with whom
he spent the night. Tomorrow the
colonel is to pay another visit to Har-
ward and will also meet a few more poll
ticians.
Colonel Roosevelt promised to-day to
send a letter to be read at Roosevelt
rally which will be held here on Sat-
urday night by the Progressive Repuois-
can League. Governor stubbs Of KAN
sas. Ex-Governor Fort Of New Jersey ana
Senator Clapp, OF Minnesota. are -
pected TO speak.