The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-03-01


Declares People Want Strong Man
In White House, One Who Grows
Progressive In cffiee-Makes Ad.
dresses Before Legislature, EnIare.
ing on His Columbus Speech.
Boston, Feb. 27.--Colonel Roose-
velt, who announced before leaving
New York that his Boston visit was
not of political nature. iumbped
into the ring where his hat has been
for some time and led off with a
speech before the house Of repre-
sentatives. Then he went to the SEN
ate chamber and said a few words
there. He did not call upon Cover
, nor Foss while at the statehouse.
The talk to the legislators related
to the coloners Columbus speech
and he endeavored to make clear
Just what he meant by his utterance
there on recalls" He asserted that
he does not advocate the recall OF
| Judges, but the recall of legislation
| to justice. What the colonel advo-
Gates is that in cases wher a law
passed by a legislative body IN the
interest Of the general welfare Of
the community has been declared
unconstitutional, that the people be
given the right to pass final judg.
| ment on the proposition.
In opening, Colonel Roosevelt ex-
pressed his belief in genuine popular
rule, direct nominations, primaries
and direct preferential presidential
| primaries and the use of initiative
and referendum under wisely
chosen devices"
The colonel was asked II he would
support the nominee of the Republi.
can national convention at Chicago
and to this he replied: "Of course
will. am happy, entirely happy
because l am fighting for principle
and the issue is in no sense per.
sonal one. You may quote me as say
ing that"
People who called on the colonel
told him that before he could expect
to make any headway he must make
satisfactory explanation to the peo
pie Of the position he will take before
the public on the third term, the re
call Of the judges and Of judicial de
cisions and his refusal to support
President Taft for second term.
Position Perfectly Simple.
"My position on the third term,
he told his callers, ''is perfectly sim
pie. stated it as clearly as could
in 1904 and reiterated 1t in 1907.
said would not accept a nomination
for a third term under any circum
stances, meaning, Of course. third
consecutive term.
81 could not have said less at thai
time, nor could have said more. Oi
course I could not then know wheth
er or not there would be a demand
for me to accept a nomination al
some future time. And believing, as
do, that the selection of candidates
for the presidency rests entirely
with the people, could not say that
at no time in my life would accept
another nomination.
at must be clear to any reason
able man that the precedent which
forbids a third term has reference
solely to third consecutive term
It grew out Of the fact that presi
dent Of the United States under the
present convention system OF elect
ing delegates can, IL he knows how
to use the machinery at his disposal
renominate himself, even though the
majority OF the party is against him
, "But after he has been out Of Of
fice for a term he has lost control OF
tnat machinery He Is in the position
absolutely of any private citizen. The
machinery then is In the hands OF
the man occupying the Office Of pres
ldent."
Mr. Roosevelt asked his question
ers to assume for the sake OF arguD
ment that he had changed his mind
with reference to the wisdom of the
prohibition against the third term
"I want 1t understood" he said. that
/ have not changed my mind. My
position has simply been misunder
stood. But let us assume that have
changed. What then? Who Is
harmed? Every man has right to
change his opinions. So looking at
It either way. it is not serious
natter.
NOW, with reference to the recall
Of judges and judicial decisions
Why, out west they have said, be
cause I expressed my belief in the
judicial system Of Massachusetts
that I was too conservative. 1t is a
little surprising. isn't 1t, that here in
Massachusetts they should think me
too radical because l approved theil
system.
Calls Idea Absurd.
"As to the recall of judicial de-
cislons, what said relates, oi
course, to constitutional questions
and l don't believe the people will
be misled on that point. The idea
that had in mind the recall Of al
decisions is too absurd for serious
consideration.
l r. .hn