Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-02-27
ROOSEVELT DECLARES HE NEVER
SAID THAT At NO TIME
WOULD HE ACCEPT.
THIRD TERM PRECEDENT
APPLIES CONSEQUENTLY
Man Out Of Office in Position Of Pri.
vato Citizen ard Free to Accept Call
Of PeopIe-Gives Solution for Ju.
dieiai Recall and Says People Should
Rule in All Things.

Boston, Feb. 27.-Colonel Roosevelt
stated to callers his position in regard
to the third term:
My position is perfectly simple
he said. Il stated it as clearly as l
could in 1904, and reiterated it in 1907.
said that l would not accept a NOM
inaticn for a third term under any
circumstances, meaning. of course, a
third consecutive term
Il could not have said less at the
tiane, nor could l have said more OF
course / could not then know whether
or not there would be a demand for
me to accept nomination at some flu
ture time.t And believing, as l do, that
the selection Of candidates for the pres
idercy. rests entirely with the people.
could not say that at no time in my
life would accept another nomination.
1T must be clear to any reason
able man that the precedent which
forbids the third term has reference
only to third consecutive term.
1T grew out of the fact that a pres
ident Of the United States under the
present convention system of electins
delegates, can, if he knows how to use
the machinery at his disposal, renom-
mate himself. even tho the majority OF
his party is against him.
But after he has been out OF Office
for term he has lost control OF that
machinery He is in the position abso-
lutely of any private citizen. The
hi IN hah o, Ic 81 81 NO
man occupying the office of president
Roosevelt View on Recall.
Recall Of judicial decisions, not the
recall of the judiciary itself, was the
plan outlined before the Massachusetts
assembly by Theodore Roosevelt yes
terday.
Mr.. Roosevelt went into details OF the
plan by which he would put the final
adjudication Of all questions in the
hands Of the electors. In short. he
would give the people a chance to de-
eide, when the courts and the legisla-
tive and executive branches OF the gov
eminent disagree, which branch is
right in it's opinion.
He answered those who protest
against the proposal on the basis that
it would place the courts al the mercy
OF the momentary whim OF the public.
His plan,- as outlined, would require
two years. of debate and thought, after
the legislation was started, before it
again was placed before the people for
final decision.
Decision When Courts Differ.
The Roosevelt plan also would pro-
vide for the decision by the people Of
any differences which might arise be-
tween two courts in their interpre-
tation Of the law. In this connection he
cited the decision of Justice Holmes Of
the federal supreme court in the Okla
homa bank case in which 1t was held
that:
1T may. be said in a general way
that the police power extends to all
the great public needs. 1t may be
put forth in aid Of what is sanctioned
by the usage or held by the prevail
ing majority or by a strong and pre-
ponderant opinion to be greatly and
necessary to the public
welfare"
He referred to the decision Of the
court Of appeals of New York, which,
in the workingmen's compensation act
law, cited this decision of the supreme
court and then refused to abide by It..
In such a case, he said, the people
should have the right to decide which
court best preserved the public well
fare.
Bold Attack on Critics.
Col. Roosevelt struck out boldly at
those who have criticised his plan.
"Our system Of government is con-
fessed failure" he said, unless the
people are to be trusted to govern
themselves"
"Col. Roosevelt's visit to the state
house was unexpected. After appear
ing in the. house he went to the sen{
ate chamber and spoke briefly. In both
Instances he was received cordially.
altho there was no prolonged applause
during his speech.