The sun., 1897-01-12
/. rHs YREsIDEsrrAL TERN.
Senator Proctor wosia Extend II 90 Sic
Yesrs ssd Prohistt q Re-Eiection.

Senator Proctor Woutd Extend It 60 btE
Years ssd Prehisit n Re-Eieetion.
wAsHIsoToS, Jan. 11.-In pursuance Of mo-
tlce given last week. Mr.. Proctor rep. VIZ,
who has Just returned from q visit 70 the Pros
ident-eiect. addressed the Senate to-day in
advocacy Of his proposed constitutional amend
ment 10 make the Presidential term six years,
with o prohibition OF reelection aud to make the
term Of Representative In the lower house three
years. The reasons given by him were these:
First-A long Presidential term and ineligi-
bility for reelection are more In accord with the
ideas and purposes Of the trainers Of the Con-
stitution than is the present system rs It has
developed in practical results.
second-Thc proposed change Is not radical
or revolutionary. but 10 10 line with true con-
servatism. It is q change OF the letter to pre-
serve the spirit Of the Constitution.
Third-Re-eligibili is wrong In theory and
vicious In practice. for II results in the use OF
the patronage Of his ofIioe by the President for
the promotion OF his chances Of reelection, or
| else subjects him to the imputation Of such use.
Fourth--The change will more thoroughly
divorce the legislative and executive branches
| of the Government-an end most strongly de-
| sired by the Constitutional Convention.
Finh-Even IL the present system was wise In
| tho beginning, the changed conditions. the
growth Of the country In population, especially
In cities tho great Increase in our territory and
| the growing danger Of sudden popular revul-
| sions make the change now desirable.
ooun,r, % s rsa .ns srom snsh fn.oasnt ds
| turbanccs, and the time and expense incident TO
campaigns will be proportionately reduced.
| Seventh-By lengthening the terms OF Repre-
considered and viii have a longer and fairer
trial before their friends 20 out of power In
After numerous quotations from public
lev. samuel J. 'Tiidsn. and others. and from
| President Clevelands letter of acceptance OF
iSS TqSna S shaofS voou.
| practice, and there should be n detnito prohib-
tion against it. The 9eaaest objection OF which
tionsl exis-ncy. Of the services of a leader who
y head Of the 10 Government. spss thing Is pos JOS
| sibls, yet can hardly conneive OF an emergency
nt to be at the head OF the Government, and It
Is hard to believe that an emergency viii arise
cb ros w ,hn p s chosen und.s .he
"The extension OF tho terms OF Represents
| tiycs In Congress should 20 with the extension
| OF the Presidential term. Tho practical bcne-
fits sure TO rise from this change and the sd-
Now The Representatives have hardly con-
| cluded their first session before they come up
ssriiy bscome longer with the growth OF the
country. The legislation or tho long session
has had no S9a ssy
Of party policy. there Is popular re-
| action before IL can have fair trial.
Then comes the short session. In which
little In done except to pass APPROPRIATION bills
| With n three years term Instead OF the present
| single inord nateIy long session. there would be
| two sessions unlimited by the end OF Congress
| and OF more moderate duration, which would
| practically nearly double the time for delibera-
| ton aud considerable legislation. Theiaw OF the
first session would have been in operation for
| year or more, which would give time for a faireI
| trial and consideration by the people, with much
| less danger OF too hasty legislation and too
| hAsty condemnation of laws when once made
| danger to which the country Ii more and.mort
| ubjocted rs IL grows older"