The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-06-01
One Terms.

Editor FZorididn: In looking over the Consti-
tuition adopted in 1889, under which Florida was
admitted into the Union in 1916, find in article
8, section 2, the following provision:
1.-THE Governor shall be elected for four years.
by the qualified electors, al the time and place
when they shall vote for representatives and
shall remain in Office until successor be chosen
and qualified, and shall not be eligible TO re-
election until the expiration Of four years there
atter."-Th omps0n's Di0est page IS.
This salutary provision remained The law
OF the State until 1885. 1t indicated the opin-
ions OF the wise men of those days ON the
impOlicy Of clothing an officer with great power
and leaving the door of temptation open to him
to use that power to perpe,uate himself in Office
l need not tell you, Mr.. Editor, that there are
great many people in all parties who believe in
the one term principle now. Nationally, with .
hundred thousand appointments in his hands, q
President in Office has his agents all over the
land who do not hesitate TO use their opportuni-
ties to promote the ambition of the official from
whom they received their positions So Odious
has this proven in the past that aspiranis for the
Presidency have not untrequently declared them
selves in advance in favor OF one term. Mr.
Hayes did 90 in his letter Of acceptance, and
hence no one mentions his name in connection
with a nomination at Chicago. 30 also did Mr.
Tilden in his letter Of acceptance. The reasons
against more than one term for the same person
In the Presidency are equally applicable to States,
and particularly 10 this State of ours. Under our
present Constitution the Governor s clothed with
extraordinary power. He appoints something
like q thousand officers, who are scattered in
every county. Manifestly, when they combine
they can, unless tie people bestir themselves pack
primary meetings and conventions and continue
their chief in the Executive chair as long as his
ambition and their greed lasts. When the
masses finally become aroused, however, it il
. fight between them and the officc-holders.-
Is such the case nowi will not charge that il
il, bat itisa striking fact that, with some excep-
lions, the ofice-holden constitute a compact
body working In one direction in this campaign.
Many have had themselves appointed as dele
gates TO the Gainesville Con vention-for what
purpose it Is not necessary to mention.
Now, sir. submit this proposiliOn-thai no
man, care not who, can administer the i'm
meuse appointing power under the present Con-
stitution for four years. and be 0oailabs az can
didGts for ss-e'eciiOn. will not argue IL; for
any person with ten grains Of common sense who
will look around him, with eyes and ears open.
win hnd the proposition demonstrated with no
more argument than what be sees and hearA To
b blInd 70 the fact embodied In the statement
viii be 70 court dsisat By spiritless campaign
In which al eur energies win be exhausted In
the effort 10 bring ear esn sotsrs 10 the polls Let
the people on whom the cure Of bad govern
meat faIla look 70 L. sa sea M ONR TERM.
h Quiaqb Nsprids, Nag 81, 1880 ss.