The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1876-02-10


7 the several States, as the gentleman
stated, the State Of Virginia demanded
as other States did, an amendment pro-
viding ineligibllity. But the Constitu-
ton was submitted 10 those States as a
whole. There was no opportunity tor
those States 10 demand division of the
question and this proposition was in
volved in the proposition whether we
should have Il Federal Government II
cannot therefore be inferred, because the
Constitution as whole was adopted,
that this feature Of it met with the APP
proval at the people or States ut that
time.
We have, therefore, the judgment
rendered IN some seven votes OF that
convention for seven-ycars term, ard
one vote for six-years term, the eccu-
pant rendered ineligible to re election in
all these cases and this report finally
adopted, which was silent on the 0ues-
ton OF re-eligibiiIty, left the question
before US as we find it, The report of
the COMMITTEES of eleven involved many
separate propositions which had ex-
cited discussion. Nothing indicates
why this report was made by the com
nlitee. The propositions for four years
hat never al any time been adopted
by the convention, and first appeared in
this report, which was submitted as a
whole. Ia all the votes of the conven-
ton they had adopted the feature OF
rendering the President Ineligible to re-
election. This had been discussed The
report changed the action IF the con /.
vention IN both, aud the adoption OF that .
report was doubtless the result of =
necessity for compromise As the gen
tiehlan from kentucky said, 1t was in
explicabla.
shall favor, and have risen to favor.
'ho proposition OF the minority of the
committee, made by the gentleman from
Maine, Tor The reasons involved in arru-
'neuts which have been given, but
differ from the gentleman who offered
II IN what he stated az the wishes of the
people on the subject. think the pub.
ne sentiment of the country wishes to
DC RID Of this disturbing question. and
-ritie it definitely by constitutional
'nitndpent. The personal question
to be involved in it is MOI really
involved IN It, There is no personal
question involved. It is 4 simple, plain d
Proposition, and refers 10 no man. There {
'as been no reason for the assaults or @
he praise that any man elected to the
'resldcncy has received IT, this conrec-
ion. No man has indicated to desire :
ar reelection 10 third term, and the 3
.h"se of the press ha, been as gratui- d
Gus as 1t was unjust. But the PROPOSE :,
ION before US meets, am sure, the ap- :;
'r"vaI Of the whole people of these n
jnli"u states, and il is 10 settle distinct L
J il the Constitution that which was a:
united by It's trainers, auf provide tor !.
single term. Tho assertion that it q
mlts the power Of tho people has M &
'rcc. All constitutional provisions and
u regulations for elections are limits
fol ow the course indicated would
e to allow mass conventions NJ any
lomcnt TO elect such officers as they Pa
leased The will Of the people is law,
NJ the people provide limitations as to :,
re mode Gifts exercise IN constitutions xS
" nothing Is law nor can have the Il,
inctity thereof, bat the will of tie poo- n
e legitimaiely expressed. q
This question left open was decided H.
the Farewell Address of Washington Go
these patriotic words in which hc p"
,clined reelection. and which have pr
me down aot only into the nistuI, .yr - -
3ur country but into the bosoms OF the !
'ner.can people as the great I'm .yritcn
Y of the land. No man has ever been I pr
"cied to n third term. We propose in On
is instance To- fix 1t distinctly and TO I
t rid of what il now . disturbing elc- ba
cnt. | differ from the gentlemen who
ink it is question which we onght
IT to discuss. think it is question :.
aich it ia right to discGss think it
y question whlrh Is proper 10 be met,
d think it is best net by the PROPOSE
N Of the minority of the committee
ported by the gentleman from Maine i