The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1889-06-12
7OWN, ". Va. WEDNESDAY,, JJNE z 1883.

people. This is not q valid obiec-
ton. The services Of life Senators
are needed only when strict adher-
ence to party is hostile to the com
mon welfare. In measures which
are plainly beneficial or injurious,
their few votes could not defeat
right. But when acute reasoning is
required, and party prejudice con
solidates parties, their unbiased
Judgment is sorely needed.
Second: II is urged that it is I'M
American. Making the President
an officer for life would be a depart
ure from the democratic principle
Of short terms of Office. But judges
/ of the Supreme Bench are chosenfor
life. The duties Of an ex-President
in the Senate would be similar to
those of a Supreme Judge. Had it
always been customary, it would now
seem as natural for Presidents to re-
tire to the Senate ais for judges to
be appointed for life.
It is insisted that such an amend
ment would form an aristocracy. To
this it may be answered that three
or four life Senator'S could not form
an aristocracy, nor would there be
any greater tendency in that diree-
ton from this provision than from
the provision for life-terms of judges.
Third: It is claimed to be unnec-
essary. If ex-Presidents are needed
in the Senate, let their. respective
States send them This cannot ac-
complish what the proposed amend
ment would. They would then be-
come dependent upon party support.
They would then represent directly
the interests of a single state. The
same stability and conservatism
would not thus be attained.
Tt is said, they may live retired
lives. Were their services not need
ed, this might be proper. But the
government has given them prac
tical political education. 1t should
receive some benefits in return. To
Danish them from political life is
like instructing an apprentice until
he is serviceable, and then discharg
ing him.
Fourth: The objector insists that
Hit is unsafe. Such a provision might
induce an effort to make other high
officials Senators for life. This.
could not be The,duties of no 9th
Ell Office IS Thoroughly lit 3 man fof
|tk3 sonele esidc = ts1 y = saiIl-
cient number Of lex Presidents for.
the desired purpose. AS Senators
at large, they would be far less bias.
ed than others, and would be no
more representative Of their respec-.
tive States than the President is of
his. ii = Sill.
Again, we have an aversion for
new principles. Existing. customs,
by familiarity, assume the semblance
Of right. What a dangerous princi-
pie! Had it been strictly observed
in science from the beginning, the
crude theories of the ancients would
have remained int act, and the grand
generalizations which have brought
JUS face to face with nature and ma
lures God would never have been
made. Let no such prejudice OBJ
struct beneficial measures. " *
This most liberal government,
with all its blessings, is a precious
heritage. Duty requires US to trans
NIT it to posterity better than we
found it. Due regard for it's patriot
founders and for Its future perma-
hence demands that new principles
be not hastily introduced If the
proposed amendment does not com
mend itself to the nation, let it per-
ish ere it makes one blot on the con-
stitution which maintains our iber-
ty. But the force. of argument
seems to overthrow the objections.
It recognizes ability, utilities exper-
fence, ignores partisanship, and Sc
cnres stability and conservatism in
the Senate. It relieves the embar-
easements ofex- presidents and shows
the appreciation Of the American
people. The times demand the pro-
vision. The VIII ole people acknowl-
edge it's justice and expediency.
Washington and Jefferson have lived
for us once, They can never return.
While, with monuments and gar
lands, we hallow their memory, let
us show more Substantial apprecia-
ton of the services Of their worthy
successors. # r.. g.. ..-.
Shall Canada he Anneyed2 e.