The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-04-19
One Term or Two.

To the Editor of the Press:
The gubernatorial convention is but few
days distant and most of the delegates have
been selected.
In few, If any, cases have these represents
tives been pledged or instructed; yet most Of
them are doubtless expecting that our present
excellent executive will again be placed at the
head of the ticket While this expectation, in
many aspects OF the case, gives apparent salts
faction, it involves one matter that disturbs
the minds of many of the most trusted and
thoroughly Republican of the party
They realize that the convention is not only
to nominate candidate for governor, but that
it must necessarily establish precedent that
will be of the utmost Importance in the future,
70 the governor there is perhaps little or no
opposition; but 1t is useless to deny that there
is decided objection to the idea that a re-
nomination must be made as a matter OF
course.
If the gubernatorial term were still only one
year, Gov. Robbie would probably be renomi.
mated with the hearty approval of all Republic.
cans. But, for the first time in our history. the
convention has this year to decide whether it
shall be the policy of the party to make the ex.
ecutlve term two years or four; and this is a
matter OF so great importance that it should
not be lost sight of in frlendliness to Gov. Ro.
bic.
A glance at the ancient landmarks and at
the discussions of similar principles will show
something of the sentiment of the people upon
this question. In her sxty-four years as a
State, Maine has had thirty-three governors
While the average term has thus been little
less than two years, few have held the office
for three years and there have been a very few
attempts for the fourth year. But, noticel
these last have always been received with
marked disapprobation If not followed by de-
a for I.
the PEOPLE are to-day more DESTROYS OF
having four years term fastened upon them
than they have been In the past?
Again, the whole tendency of recent discus
sion In relation to the presidency has been fa-
vorable TO making that a one-term office. VIII
not most of the arguments to support that po-
sition apply with equal force to the matter uu-
der consideration? One has but to look at the
records of our present governor and council to
see that vast number of commissions expire
every two years, and it is certainly casting re-
nectlons upon no one, to say that, take it one
time with another, so long as governors and
their constituents are human, the State will
be, If not better served, certainly better salts.
tied with the results in this particular, If all
temptation to machine making be taken away
from the appointing power.
1t is doubtless good policy to return a repre-
sentative to Congress so long as his course il
satisfactory, because good representative be-
comes more useful every year; but it is absard
to say that the same principle applies in the
case Of a governor The Representative has
the workings of complicated piece of ma
chinerY to master before he can do much SER
vice: man OF ability and general experience
can discharge the duties of governor as we'll
in bis first month of Office as in his last
There are at any time a score of men who
could admirably fill the position of governor,
and whom tbs party and State would be glad
to honor, were there opportunity. III the in
terests OF the State do not suffer thereby why
is it not better to honor two worthy men tn 81
to honor one worthy man twice?
But it may be urged that we do not honor
our governors unless we re-elect them.
That holds true only after the precedent is
established; it ought not to be true.
To be sure, when the principle is once fixed
that faithful officer must have two terms
no matter how long they are-failure to re-
nominate becomes a censure. And it is only
under extreme circumstances that the party
can break the custom.
To-day single term of two years and the
approval OF his constituents may fairly be con.
sidered honor enough for any man. Is it wise
to make precedent that will hereafter force
on the party the alternative OF seeming to re.
buke the man it has once elected or of enter.
ing every other convention with its hands tied?
Whatever be the views of the delegates, il
certainly seems clear to many Republican!
that great mistake will be made and seri
GUS party injury be done If Gov. Robbie is re-
nominated by acclamation as mere matter OF
course.
If it seems to the convention about to as
semble that the exigencies OF the time demand
his reelection, then he is the man to be nnm-
mated. But in that event the Governors
name should come before the convention like
that OF any other aspirant, and there should be
the utmost freedom in the presentation of can
dldates. There should be no reclamation
work; for that commits the party to princi.
pie fraught with trouble aud injustice. W.