The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-02-03

| Deen muCn ONerStateQ because tney
have been viewed with Jealous scruti-
ny, and surpositons of sinister intent
and purpose have obtained, where
none in fact existed. That any un-
lawful, corrupt or even over excrtlon
of executive power and influence, is to
be deprecated and opposed, and
wherever practicable subjected to re-
straint or punishment, is perfectly
clear he who denies this is not to be
reasoned with, but denounced as an
enemy of his country But the con
siderate statesman, taking an enlarged
view of the field of politics, in view of
all the disturbing forces which from
time 10 time disturb the action Of
government and imperil all stable
policy in the enactment and enforce.
ment of law, will admit, that execu-
tive influence lawfully and fairly ex-
erted upon public opinion and cleo
toral action, is countervailng force
to those exerted by the refractory,
demoralizing and dangerous elements
of the social body. That such iniu-
ence may be usefully exerted against
polygamy in Utah, Anarchists in Chi
cago, and church burning mobs in
Philadelphia and the organizations
which represen, polygamy, anarchy,
and mob violence will be questioned
by none whose opinions are worth
considering. Nor need it be ques-
toned that such power and influence
within the limits above mentioned
may properly favor political organza.
tions to which the existing administra-
ton adheres and which it represents
in the Government. That the ap-
pointing and removing powers of the
executive. in particular, should be ex
erted for the promotion Of party inter
ests or with reference to the known
opinions and position of those appoint
ed or removed, is unavoidable in all
popular Governments, as well as IN
those of different form. That they
should be measurably subjected to
fixed rules, self imposed by the execu.
tive or established by statute law,
arises from necessity Of guarding against
abuse and to secure, more perfectly,in-
tegrity and experien in admin
istration, but such regulations have
not been extended to the principal
executive officers beyond the constitu-
tional requirement Of senatorial con-
sent to appointments before made.
The several arguments opposed to
one term and which support the re
election of a president for second
term, require no great elaboration in
statement, being quite plain and Sim
pie.
Ist. The prospect of re election is a
great incentive to good conduct and
faithful service of the president during
his first term.
end. A re elected president will be
much better acquainted with public
business and public men in his second
than in his first term. He will have
acquired stock of knowledge regard
ing the details of executive administra-
ton AMI also regarding measures of
legislation upon which lie will be re-
quired to act by his approval or disap-
proval of bills, which will be extreme
ly important and useful to him and to
the country IN his performance Of
constitutional duty. This considera
! ,ion deserves more attention than 1t
has received, in view of the fact that
presidents are often selected who have
no: had congressional or executive
experience at Washington prior to
their election TO the presidential Office.
3rd. The two term rule tends to
give consistency and stability to gov
ernment policy and practice. to repress
and prevent excessive innovation and
change in matters of government
while it does not prevent a majority
of the people from interposing for
cause and decreeing change of men
and measures at the end of first
term. In other words it simply per-
mits the people to continue the SER
vice of president whose official con-
duct they approve.
4th. Continued service of Presi-
dent by second term tends to pre-
vent hasty, inconsiderate, and some
times injurious changes in the public
Offices of the country, such as are sure
to follow the one term rule if imbed-
| ded in the constitution.
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