Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-11-11
Presidential gleotious

Presidential Elections.
There has been for some years 6
growing feeling favorable TO the ex.
tension OF the presidential term cou.
pied with a provision of ineliglbility "a
a second term. Already, more than
one prominent journal has begun the
agitation Of a change, and The GA.
zETrE believes that Rn extension OF
the term with lneligibiIity fora second
one would find speedy aud great favor
with men Of all parties. Place
is here given TO a discussion Of this
matter by the Chicago Tribune, and
after such campaign as the country
has just witnessed It is not improba-
BILE that the people are ripe for any
change that win tend to abate the in
tense strain to which Republicans and
Democrats alike are subjected by the
frequency OF presidential contests:
Thinking men Of all parties win agree that
! the presidential campaigns are becoming
more and more ola strain upon the sOclsl
! welfare and business prosperity OF this
/ country. The American people have fiven
themselves UP argely TO politics during the
last i've months. individual plans have been
held IN fbeyance; business enterprise has
been In a state OF suspense; everybody has
waited for the election to be hettled. In the
meantime, the preJudlees and passions Of the
people have been aroused ny every conceive
BILE device rthe demagogue. Scandals have
la.
TO poiluto the youth OF the country aud de.
str y all confidence In the Integrity OF public
life Deliberate preparations for fraud wer
made ga some OF the large cities which
threatened TO make farce or tragedy OF
thepopular system OF government. Men who
have stood high among their flows IN social
and business relations have stopped to dis.
graceful practices in political affairs. And,
at the last the result close that conterv.
ativo people during the last three days have
been disturbed by serious approximations Of
another disputed election, which would be
more harsssing and dangerous than that OF
1915.
The American people cannot AFFORD ~ pass
through these periodical ordeals. II the pol.
iticlaus were true to their responsibilities
they would provide measures OF relief. The
necessary changes are numerous. but some
| ofthem are obvious and would be- agreed TO
by the great majority OF both parties II the
popular will were consulted.
!. The presidential term should be length.
ened TO six years at least The recurrence
OF presidential campaign once every ak
years would ngnten the burden on the coun-
Try by nethird. The populac excitement aud
consequent business congestion would ba re.
duced In proportion. There would not only
be larger rest between elections,
but tho campaigns would also
be less acrimonious by rea-
son OF being less frequent. The people
would be impressed With the idea of perma.
nonoe and stability the government they
arc called upon to appoint they would be
more earnest and less exoitable and sensl-
iional In their campaign methods.
! ?. The nomination OF presidential candl-
dates should be delayed til a later day. The
original theory OF the system for choosing
presld sntlal electors was 10 confer upon GER
tain trusted men the duty OF selecting pres.
identssN the people nomina Q as wen as
elect, Tho test OF strength between tho con.
tending parties does not require months
OF preparation at the expense Of the businel s
interests and Hoclalal comforts OF the peopls
Two months Will serve rs well as Ave or xix
TO tgrn the lights on the measures and men
before tbs country, In fact, the shorter the
time for working up Intense sparty feeling,
for projecting combinations rad frauds, and
for lmbtt ring tue contest tia more likely Ia
there TO be a calm aud Judi ,lsas determine
lion as to the issues and the men.
$, Tho civil service systsn must be re.
formed In order to moderate the zeal aud pur-
ny the purposes OF our presidential elections.
30 long as thare arc 100000 men with their
hmllifs and friends on the one side who are
struggling 90 retain their places, aud ilvo or
ten times as IA any who are lighting on the
other side to seoure these places, the pres!.
Dental .anlpaignsw win be selfish, heated and
ugly liza change OF paLtles IN the admits
trttion Of the government threatened no dis
iurbance to the working force, OF tho civil
I system the bitterness OF ths struggle would
be allayed IN large part aud the tuniult OF
the campaign wouiu be anateu.
4. Election reforms in all the states are de
manded to protect tbs people against fraud
, aud TO qniet the apprehension which prevail.
for weeks and months. There is no state In
the Union where tho REPATRIATION System Is
per ct, aud there are very few districts
whsre voting has not become an arduous
task attended by serious Inconvenience and
more or less personal danger gvery peaeea,
"'V '"~'' N''NNf''' H""FeANiN oAoAu Ahe AZ
proaeh of election day long before II comes,
: whereas II would not be difficult to devise
/ system which would render voting safe anC
convenient
Irthe people could have their way thess
and other reforms designed u lessen the ex
! element and correct the abuses OF our cleo
: toral system would be inaugursted withou
delay. This men In public life Who are neg
lecting them are assuming a serious raapon
sibih,y FOR the political fatrre OF the Amerl
, can people.