New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-12
THE ONE-TERM PRINCIPLE.
THE IOPULAR vERDICT-LEGISLATIvE rDOISE-
MENT OF THE SUMNER AMENDMENT.

MENT OF THE SUMNER AMENDMENT.
As the principle involved in the One-Tcrm
amendment becomes more generally understood the tide
Of public opinion sets Tresistibly in its favor The
greater part of the responsible press OF the country
favors the limitation OF the Presidents term and the
legislative action Of Kansas and Illinois Will doubtless DC
followed in good time by other States.
In Illinois the action of the Legislature gives unmis-
taxable evidence of earnesness The resolution Is thus
strongly wOrded
RcsOlrtd nv the House Of Representatives Senate con,
curing That Senators in Congress be anu
our Representative requested 10 favor by elr influence
and votes the immediate submission 10 the states lor
their ratification the proposed amendment to the Con
stitutiOn of the United states, now pending IN 'ongI
which provides that person who has once held lhe
office OF President of the United States shall be hereafter
Pesoirsd That Tie Governor furnish MS possible,
to each OF Senator's and Representatives III Congress-
copy Of this resolution.
The vote was almost unanimously in favor OF the mea
sure and the press the State warmly comments the
action of the Legislature thus early pushing forward
q good work In the Kansas Assembly the measure was
adopted 10y overwhelming maiority-the vote stand
ing 81 TO 21-and the State press warmly approve the
policy defined in the amendment.
The Chicago Tribune, commenting on tho One-Ierm
principle, says;
But TO the principle of term there can be no ra
tonal objection while there is general confession at
great present and overshad0wng evil OF our Govern
the corruptng Of the Executive authority 10
itself TINS wa and hn IN v 1S evil
which demands the change was toreseen; but me
tngs' ny ebaDges eTnerience might srgg st
The President is candidate reelection; his
Cabinet are his sTRpoprIeT1d WI" Id d tS f fbo
party machinery in his district TO support the Pres-
dents denomination; aud will he support the Admins
| Congressman whose own reelection depends on the
He must accept the terms Offered by the
Executive or have ms M et
for the Office of Congressman his only reliance is In keep
ing force OF pensioned followers at home to push con-
venons, beat of all opposition; and, TO force his re-
he must Of HeG Hccfh 5e ts sTg oI %
with the power of making appointments III ms
district and congress becomes eoTsco, as bs PUag
utve who, by Withdrawing the appointing power thus
other political personal capital Members OF Con-
| gress holding Office such terms are theneeforth
declare the civil service the known among civilized
nations and of must insist that there never has
| iy resembles Washington the one with whom they
have made contract degrading to both The evils OF
the system will cured until all motive for employ
shall be taken Tom the President since the proposed
amendment does not apply to the present incumbent,
there be no objection to It's early consideration ana
THE WHOLE ENGINERY OF PUBLIC PATRONAGE
EMPLOYED FOR REELECTION"
The House of REPRESENTATIVES, at Springfield
yesterday Endorsed the One-Term principle expressly
excepting, however. In the speeches OF members and in
into operation the OF President Grant. There Is
much in the OneTerm principle to commend 1t to popu-
bent Of the Office of President place his name upon
the page Of history having performed the duties or
his office achieve the strongest OF all possible in
dorsementhe reflection Of the peope-there can be no
| doubt. That many Presidents have, pent
Whole engincry Of public patronage to the
accomplishment of this purpose, is notably true To
guard against the influence Of this temptation in the case
dangerous men, is the only plea for ENGRAVING 1t upon
the Constitution check for all men, Not one OF the
advocates the adoption of this principle but does not
take the first occasion except the case OF President
Grant This done upon the introduction OF the pro-
position by Mr. Sumner iii the Senate and IL was done IN
the Legislature yesterday in the speech OF the author OF
| the resolution Mr.. Herdman. With this eminently
proper reservation. the people will, without doubt,
heartily indOTse the proposed amendment to the Const
tuition making Presidents eligible TO but single TERM