Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-03

involves CONSTITUTIONAL question or any treaty or
law OF the nited States or where the court shall
certify that 1t involves legal question sufficient
| to require final decision by the Superior Court.
| Mr.. Knott of KY, from the same committee re-
ported bill regulating the practice in the United
States circuit and district court to the time and
manner of instructiDg juries and arguing causes,
requiring them to conform to the practice of the
states in which they are held.
| The bill was discussed until the close of the
| morning hour when it went over.
| The House resumed the consideration of the
proposed constitutional amendment limiting the
presidential term.
Mr.. Woodwork of O., opposed the amendment
and declared that although he had voted for the
resolution offered by one of the warwicks on the
other side against the third term he would prefer
| thousand times to see President Grant re-elect-
ed rather than to the Office Ii He'd by one of
those who twelve years ago were in arms against
the government.
Mr.. Young of Tenn, remarked as Southern
representative, and who had borne arms
against the government, that there was no danger
Of any such person putting himself forward
Presidential candidate.
Mr.. Knott of Ky. chairman of the Judiciary COM
nittee closed the debate. lie reviewed the dis
cussion in the constitutional convention, and the
early history Of the government on that subject,
and alluded to the vote in the House in the first
week Of the session. declaring departure from
the time honored custom in regard to the Presi
dental term to be unwi5c, unpatiio;ic and fraught
VIII peru 10 lice llsiljutlOUs IL ltht were so,
tAcn as matter OF course the limit should be
Fixed. Quoting the maxim in regard to Office
holders, that Few men die and none resign" he
pictured the allurements of the Presidential office
as follows A salary of $4,000, a mansion sus-
tanned in style that few persons dreamed of
furnished repaired and heated at an annual ex-
pepse of SO 900, with the very air bre aher there
peiiumed by rare exotics, propogaed in $50,
900 garden; the house maintained at annual ex-
pense of $4,000; private secretary at $4,000 year
"a do tl,n p.o
retaries at 5000 year do the work of the pri-
vate secretary; two clerks at $3.50 90 the work
of the assistant secretaries. (Laughter) a stew
ard at $1,000 10 supply the Presidents table with
the choicest wines ard richest viands that could
tempt or satiate his appetite; with $1,000 a year
for books. periodicals, stationery, kilograms and
Ga comical pause), other contingencies; what that
meant he did not know, but thanked God for the
contingencies. (Laughter).
If the children of Israel sighed for the flesh
of Egypt, what must be the anguish of sensi-
tive soul when taking last long farewell of such
salary and such Injuries ; He asked the gen.
tlemen to 90 home to their honest, hard working,
over taxed constituents and tell them why 4 years
was not a sufficient length Of time for any Ameri-
can citizen to enjoy such an office. Replying to
the suggestion that the experience gained in the
presidential office made the incumbent better
President, he asked to be pointed to any President
whose second term was more satisfactory to the
people than his first one.
Mr.. Garfield suggested that Gen. Jackson's I'd
term was much more illuslious than his first
one.
Mr.. Knott thought if the argument was true
that an experienced man was not qualified for the
presidential office, school ought to be established
for the training Of presidential candidates. Some
such institution as that "marnet factory" at
West Point, which supplied the army with officers
at the rate of officer for every six privates. 1t
had also been suggested that the time might come
when the necessities of the case would impera-
lively demand the reelection of O President. II
ever that time did arrive. the American people
would be unworthy of their liberties. There had
never existed and never would exist time when
only one man could be found capable of discharg-
ing the duties Of that office. II had been consid-
cred an absolute necessity for Marius, in violation
OF the Roman constitution, to be elected consul
for the second time, and he had continued to be
elected five successive periods. He (KnotU had
no doubt that when Marius received intelligence
of his third nomination he replied that be did not
wish that nomination any more than he did the
first (laughter).
The debate having closed, Mr.. Reagan of Tex,
offered an amendment as follows No person who
has held or may hereafter hold the office OF Pre,i
dent, shall ever hereafter be eligible to said Office
that the term of office of President and Vice
President of the L. $, shall be six years.
Mr.. New of Ind, moved to recommit the bill
to the Judiciary committee.
The vote on the motion to recoirmit was yeas
III, nays l21, a tie voc
The Speaker voted in the negative, and the mo-
ton lost.
A vote was then taken on Mr. Reagan's amend
ment, the word thereafter" being first changed to
| thereafter The vote resulted yeas 20, nays
1874.
Mr.. Frye's amendment was rejected, yeas 100,
| nays IA.
The bill was lost, yeas IA, nays l0G.