Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1897-01-22

luton in the United States Senate embody-
ing a change i'll the constitution of the
United States in that president shall be
elected for term of six years instead of
four and be ineligible for reelection, and
that congressman shall be elected for
term of three years instead of two. The
points made by the Senator in support OF
his bill are these:
First. longer Presidential term and
ineligibility for reelection are more in ac-
cord with the ideas and purposes of the
trainers of the Constitution than is the
present system as it has developed in
practical results.
Second. The proposed change Is not
radical or revolutionary, but is in the line
of true conservatism. tits change ofthe
letter to preserve the spirit of the Consti-
tuition.
Third. Re-eligibility is wrong in theory
and vicious in practice, for it results in
the use of the patronage of his office 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 thorough
iy divorce the legislative and executive
branches of the Government, an end most
strongly desired by the Constitutional
Convention.
Fifth. Even if the present system was
wise in the beginning, the changed condi-
lions, the growth of the country in popu.
lation, especially the cities, the great in.
crease in our territory, and the growing
danger of sudden popular revolution
make the change now desirable.
Sixth. Thereby the business interests
of the country will be saved from such
frequent disturbances, and the time and
expense incident to campaigns will BE-
proportionately reduced.
Seventh. By lengthenlng the terms o
Representatives to three years, laws will
be better considered and will have a longer
and fairer trial before their friends 90 GU,
OF power in Congress.
Having thus summarized his PROPOSE
tions Senator Proctor went on to say
that the American people rightly regart
the constitution with great reverence. II
has proven itself wonderfully adapted tc
conserve to them equally the blessings o
liberty and the protection of law. Oul
own Judgment of its merits is perhaps in
fuenced by our affection; but the verdict
of affection is also the verdict of disinter
ested criticism. We are naturally con
SENTATIVE with respect to any propose
to change it any way. Surely such {
proposal is not to be made lightly no,
without good reason.
The amendment proposed by the reso
luton is one Of detail. Its purpose is not
to change but really to strengthen thu
most fundamental principle of the consti
tution-the separation of the executive
and legislative powers. Nor is the pro
posal a new one. A longer presidential
term, without re-eligibilty, was the orr
ginal decision of the constitutional con
yention. 1t was not changed withou
much waverng and many misgivings
The proposal has often been made, anc
from the highest sources to reintroduc
the principle of ineligibility for SECOND
term. Jefferson was in favor oft. Presi
dent Jackson urged Congress in severa
of his messages to propose to the States
an amendment to the constitution rend
ering the executive ineligible after on
term of service, and such resolution
was introduced in 1880.
No senator or representative, orpersol
holding an office of trust or profit unde
the United States-says the constitution
shall he appointed an elector. Member
of Congress and federal office-holder
were to be excluded from the electora
college. Thus it was expected that tn
president would neither be dependen
upon Congress nor upon his own ap
pointees for reelection.
How different is it all in practice! TIL,
position of presidential electors, though
still regarded as one of dignity, is purely
clerical. In honor they are excluded from
the exercise OF any choice. National cleo