Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-27
Why Mr.. Hill Suppressed the Ref
erence to It.
CLEVELAND EXPECTED TO SPEAK
If He Fails There VIII Be Demo.
cratic Expression.
SOME METHODS SUGGESTED

The fact that Perry Belmont had an anti
third term paragraph Incorporated In his
Syracuse speech and surrendered 1t at the
last moment at the instance of Senator
Hill is the subject of much discussion. Mr..
Hills judgment is generally ratified. Dem
ocrats the most stoutly opposed to third
term hardly think the time ripe for an ex-
preston on that subject from anybody but
Mr.. Cleveland. And they are willing % al
low him several months of grace. They
hope he won't remain silent too long.
These men, as has already been stated in
The Star, would be glad to hear from him.
if not sooner, at latest in his next annual
message. Meanwhile, like Mr.. Hill, they
incline to the opinion that the least said
formally by others the soonest mended.
Suppose He Don't.
But then come these questions: What is
to be done in case Mr.. Cleveland does not
refer to the matter in his annual message?
What if, encouraged by his silence, the ad-
vocates of a third term begin aggressively
to agitate the proposition? What if, in
such circumstances, the proposition in tho
original Cleveland strongholds appears to
meet with favor and is pushed along? How
soon, and In what way, shall Such state
of case be met?
One way suggested is, in the early spring,
when districts are holding conventions to
select delegates to the state conventions
which in turn are to choose delegates 10
the democratic national convention, Tor the
subject to be brought up by resolution then
AS the first step would be most important
t. would be necessary to exercise great
care in stalking the ground. The initial res
oIution would have to be presented IN a
district certain to give an emphatic re-
sponse. against third term: This, then
would have to be promptly 1oiiowed Win
like deliverances in other localities. so as
to give the movement momentum. II the
me vement halted at any time at any point
or appeared to languish or to lack earnest
ness, the effect, it is agreed. might pc ols-
astrous to the whole project, ana play
right into the hands of the other side.
Where to Inaugurate the Movement.
Would the east or the south be the better
ground for the Inauguration of such
movement? There are strong anti-third
term democrats in both sections. But in
1oth sections this feeling is in some meas
gure blended with a personal feeling. The
desire is to present the third-term PROPOSE
ton, If possible, in an impersonal light. 1t
Is not that Mr.. Cleveland should not have
third term, but that no man should have
third term as President. This, 1t is believed,
guided Mr.. Hilrs judgment at Syracuse.
The astute New York Senator saw that II
the chairman of the convention, selected by
him and influenced by him, should in
speech highly euogistic of him declare
against third term, the deliverance would
have no force. 1t would be accepted mere
ly as desire on Mr.. Hills part to get Mr..
Cleveland out Of the way for his own selfish
purposes. And in the south there is intense
personal feeling against Mr.. Cleveland as
the champion of the gold standard. In that
quarter, therefore, anti-third term deliver
ances are liable to become confused with
the silver question.
To Present 1t in Congress.
Another suggestion is that the Springer
precedent Of twenty years ago be followed
and the question presented in Congress
There are democrats strongly in favor Of
this If the matter is not sooner disposed Of
By all means, they say. The whole people
could speak at once, and In the most con-
elusive and authoritative way. And, If
necessary, let there be full and free debate.
Let the whole subject be discussed, and a
decision reached touching the lodging of
executive power too long in the hands of
one man and those whom he may have
called around him. 1t is agreed that the
situation today Is not to be examined solely
in the light of the situation in Washing
toms day. or in Jackson's day. or even in
1880. The power of the chief executive Is
greater now than ever before, and the pa
tronage at his disposal infinitely greater.
The President of the United States, as the
anti-third term democrats insist. has more
power than any ruler in Europe, and this
power. for the public safety, ought to be
passed around.
What Turn 1t Might Take.
But there comes up an interesting point
here. If the debate on such resolution
should grow too hot, or too personal. or at
all partisan, MIR. Clevelands friends in Con-
gress might seek to give it q turn by bring
ing in the movement for the denomination
of General Harrison. They might take the
ground-and it ia intimated that in such
circumstances some of them would that #
danger IS the keynote of the contention it
would be well while the subject is up to de-
clare for one term for the future. Why
take any chance at all? Mr.. Cleveland in
office knows the ropes, and the men around
him know them. If they would be. danger
Gus with a new lease of power, would not
General Harrison also be dangerous If
called back? He knows the ropes, and
many of those whom he honored with places
before he doubtless would honor again. In
this way Congress would for the time lie
resolved into a national convention, and be
called upon practically to dispose in some
way of at least two candidates for next
years nominations.
Some Action Expected Soon.
But, however much at sea the democrats
now are on the subject, the anti-third term
sentiment is taking such form among them
that some movement may be expected soon
to give it voice. The delicacy Of the SUBJ
ject is fully appreciated, but it will be
tackled nevertheless.
A Medical Examining Board.
By direction of the Secretary of War, a