Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-02-27
4 Am Perfectly Happy Now, Because Am Ma
king a Straightout Fight for a Principle Out
lines His Limited Recall Of Judicial DeCiS-
ions TO Bay State Legislators at Boston.
IN FIGHT TO STAY.

Boston, Feb. 26.-Col. Roosevelt
plunged into the thick of the fight for
the Presidential nomination, today. He
said ureauivocally he was in the fight
to the end and was glad of it, He re-
plea to the charge that he would be
breaking his Third term" pledge if
he accepted another nomination. And
he asserted that whether or not he
should be the choice of his party at the
Chicago convention he would abide by
its decision.
''E' am perfectly happy now, said
he, because I am making a straight
ont fight for a principal. The issue is
in no sense a personal one"
DO YOU intend to support the Re-
publican nominee, whoever he may
be-"
"Of course l SHALL" he replied with
emphasis.
IN response to inquiries as to the prin-
eiple for which he is fighting, Col
Roosevelt referred questioners to his
speeches in Columbus. Ohio. last week
and before the Massachusetts House
today. In his address. today, he de-
Tended his proposal for limited recall
the right of popular opinion to control
the machinery of government, Col.
Roosevelt's position in regard to the
Third term was explained to q num-
Der of his callers, today.
'My position is perfectly simple" he
said. II stated it as clearly as | could
III 1894, and reiterated It in 1907. | said
that | would not accept nomination
fer 4 third term, under any eircum
stances, meaning, of course. 4 third
consecutive term.
II could not have said less at the
time. nor could l have said more. OF
course ! could not then know whether
or not there would be demand for me
To accept nomination at some future
time. And believing as l do. that the
selection of candidates for the Presi-
dency rests entirely with the people,
l could not say that at no time in my
life would | accept another nomination.
ut must be clear to any reasonable
man that the precedent which forbids a
third term has reference solely to a third
consecutive term 1t grew out of the
fact that a President of the United
States, under the present convention sys-
tenn of electing delegates can, if he
knows how to use the machinery at his
disposal, renominate himself, even
though the majority of his party is
against him. But after he has been out
of office for term he has lost con
troll of that machinery. He is i'll the po-
sition absolutely of any private citizen
The machinery is then in the hands OF
the man occupying the Office of Presi-
dent"
Col Roosevelt devoted a large part OF
the day to comforting with the men who
are forming the Roosevelt organization
in Massachusetts. He told them that ~
would not identify himself actively. TO,
the present at least, with the organiza-
ton. He also talked for some time witt
Coy. Robert Bass of New Hampshire
whom he is to meet again, tomorrow
After taking lunch with Mrs. Roger Woi.
colt, widow of a governor of Massachu
sets, and Margaret Deland, the novel
list he went to the State House ant
thence to the home of Speaker Grafton
Gushing, with whom he spent the night
Tomorrow the colonel is to pay anothet
visit to Harvard and meet few more
politicians
Col Roosevelt promised, today. to sem
a letter to be read at a Roosevelt rally
which will be held here, Saturday night
by the Massachusetts Progressive Repub
liean League. Gov. Stubs of Kansas
ex-Gov. Fort of New Jersey and Sena
tor Clapp of Minnesota are expected L
speak.