Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-05-29
DAILY POST INTELuGENCER
EXTENDED TERMS.

rI,,;.ad States constitution have oeen
reoently suggested both in ana ouI oi
Congress. BY conservative men All
propositions to change the organic law
os the Union are approached WITH eau
tion and form subjects OF the Ria'es'
consideration. fuere u soieah'y
which Surrounds the Witt Sua''e'
nron which the integrity and porpesuiiy
80 ouy Government rests, not attaching
% any other document in the natlonai
archives. The causes which gave oit'n
In n. the manner of its evolution ana
tho notsutialtty 1t possesses combine 10
render il an object of reverence anu
pride. Therefore. 1T il that PROPOSE
,;ops IN amend it are scanned closely
and subjected to most ssud'ous erit'-
cism.
Tbere are, however. two changes tha'
might be made 10 the National Consti-
tuition, which We believe comrneno
themselves to every one familiar "i'h
the legislative and political history OF
our government. The first is, to exteno
the Presidential term to six years, Win
a uroyiso that he who has once oecu-
pied the Office, either by virtue OF cleo
tim AZ Chief Magistrate, or by succeed
ING to the Office from the wee fresi
dsney on the death of the elected
President, shall thenceforth be ineligible
for rs eleo,ion to either office. Many
arguments have been and can be al
dneed in favor Of this amendment TO
the organic law, which need not pe
given here. Not the least. however II
that which affirms that such provision
wonld remove from an Executive, ano
oorrespondingly from his appoiutees
the temptation to use governm' MA
patronage for securing his renonnna
ton aad re- selection. We are all more
NJ, less aware how strong is the infiu
enoe upon holders of Federal Appoio,
meuts 10 do all in their power To favor
and If possible retain in power III
source of their appointment. TINS mo
tive of self Understand Who has J
not ?-manifests itself at each reeurrinI
contest for the Presidential nomination
often with undue and exasperatinI
prominence. The amendment sug
eested would, il is claimed, remove
from political nominating contests ina
prominently noisy and disturbing ell"
ment known az Federal office holders.
The second change suggested IL to OK
tend the terms of members Of tn
House VI Representatives to three. III
stead of two years. as now fixed. TIT
objection to this proposition is NOR
sentimental than practical. Those VIII
prefer a two years term insist that th'
original priuciple-that Congressmei
should frequently be called before thei
constituents 10 obtain their views anC
render an account of their stewardship
or, in other words, that members OF tn
lower House should come fresh fron
the people-would be violated were
their terms extended. Admitting Thu
to be measurably true, the question
arises. would not the benefits to be de
rived from adding another year to tn
present term outweigh in practical pub
lie good the alleged disadvantages. w
candidly believe they would. One o
the most formidable bars TO careful AN,
intelligent legislation is the short tim
allowed for investigation of pendinI
measures. The new member who en-
ters Congress finds himself confrontt
at the outset with his ignorance o
necessary methods to facilitate legisla
ton. lie enters upon hn untrod Arena
and in his endeavor to secure the pas
sage of any measure, runs here ant
there against precedent and rules n
immutable as the laws of the Medc
and Persians. To put IL briefly, h
does not knew the ropes" and
takes his first years service in Con
gress to become even tolerItbly nc
quainted with them. lie then has on
year left for intelligent service, much q
which il very likely to be, and usaall
liz, devoted more toward making effort
TO secure reelection than to study @
important public needs and considers
zion of bills relating thereto.
One of the greatest obst acles to legi.
lation which conflicts with the wish o
will Of powerful corporations, is th
limited time which Is allowed for IL
discussion and enactment. Take, 10
instance, the proposition TO establish
vital interest and prospectively of in
mense public benefit. The limit of
Congressional term is hardly sufficient
long to enable new member intell
gently 10 investigate the subject. Coz
porations whose interests are to b
affected injuriously by the enac, meu
of the bill. institute through their ret
resentatives In Congress policy of de
lay, and II such bill succeeds in pas,
inc the gauntlet Of one branch Of Cor
gress, it is almost certain to find il
grave in some committee pigeon hole q
the other branch. The second sessio
Of q Congressional term is by law linii
ed 10 about three months. during whic
hardly any legislation is accomplishe,
IL bill fails To pass both Houses dul
ing the term il Is dead. and 90 be resul
rected must be again introduced as a
original measure aud pass through a
the vicissitndes previously encounter,
What wonder, then, that Of the bill
opposed by strong corporate infiuenC
30 few secure enactment. Were II
term extended another yer. this dill
Guilty would be in great measure I,
moved. Ample time would be afforde
for careful consideration. investigation
and enactment of important meas re
and much hasiy aud imperfect leeisl,
ton would be avoided. Fully nine,
per cent. OF the bills introduced lie upo