, 1880-07-26
Terms of Office too Short.

There has been good deal written
and said about changes of the Consti-
tuition of the United States. But your
correspondent regards it as one OF the
best republican constitutions ever con-
ceived by man, and does not be-
iieve it can be improved or made better
in its main and general provisions, and
would regard it as unwise and hazard
Gus to attempt any material moditlca-
ton or change in that instru ment, and
the people should guard md protect it
from innovation. But there is one
change that the writer thinks ought to
be made, and that our experience and
present condition as q republic requires
tha. change, and it is this: To lengthen
the terms of all Office e-holders, from
President down to the lowest Off cer,
whether elected or appointed, and
make them ineligible ever afterward
70 le elected or appointed to the same
office. The continual scramble for
Office mas brought our Government near
the brink of ruin.
Tho frequent changes ir officers and
elections keep the country III con-
stant excitement. Oftice-holders are
scarely established in their offices unit
they commence intriguing and manag-
ing for reelection, and too often sub
sidiEe and prostitute their offices for
party purposes. But were they never
eligible for the same Off q again there
woulG be no motive or temptation for
such abuses of office for party purposes.
And instead of trying to build up
parties. as now is generally the case,
all Off holders would try to do their
term honored and respected by their
constituents. Such a change certainly
would tend to remove and obliterate
party and sectional lines. and restore
in measure peace and quietude to our
country. Such change of course,
will be opposed by all professional pol
iticians and office-seekers, for the more
changes and frequent elections are,
the more chances such aspirants have
to obtain Offices and places. The poll
ticians and office-seekers compose a
very small portion of our population, it
is true, but they exert an immense in
fuence in our country in directing the
thoughts and actions Of the masses of
our people who do none of their own
thinking.
There is another, great hindrance to
our prosperity, peace and welfare as a
people, and it is the fact that SO large a
portion of our wisest and best men take
no active part in politics and abandon
the interest and destiny of our country
to selfish ana bad men, and thereby
become to a great extent responsible
for the many political evils and abuses
that nov enviorn and menace our very
existence as q free and Independent
people.
II is the duty of every patriot in our
country to do something for his coun
try in this eventful and critical period
in our history as a republic. And not
to supinely let slip from our grasp the
rich and priceless Inheritance be-
queathed to US by our fathers, as is
foreshadowed in the thirdterm m ove-
ment.
Your correspondent is as much OF
posed to changes and amendments in
the Federal Constitution as any one
can be, except the one above indicated,
and thinks the crisis now on US impera-
likely deyaands such a change, and re-
CARDS it as the only safeguard to us as
free and Independent people,
AREQLA, in C0urier-Journal.