The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-12-14
FOUR YEARS TERM FCE COS
GEESSMEN.

Several years ago this paper declarel
in favor Of eiect1ng Congressman fo'
FOUR wears term. Time and again ",
gave our reasons for it, and We hold t e
same reasons still.
On last Thursday Senator izarris H.
troduced joint resolution providing
for the limitation of the time Presi-
dent shall be elected-to one term Of
six years-and making the term o!
members of the House four years.
As to the single SIX years term TO,
President we haYe nothing to say here
but we again declare for the four years
term for Congressman. There are
many good arguments il favor of the
change. Indeed, 1t IS hard to find any
reasonable argument against 1t.
A. has been pointed out time and
again In these columns, it Is really an
injustice to Representative to restrict
his term to two years, for the time is
too short in which to test his ca paclty
as representative of the people A
member entering Congress unaccus-
toned to the work of the body, finds
himself unknown, without influence as
q national legislator and no matte,
how Intelligent, how we'll informed OF
matters pertaining to the interests o.
his constituency, what his powers and
capacity, he must necessarily spend
quite a considerable portion of his first
year or two famlliarlzing himself with
his duties aud working himself into
influence among his colleagues. This
alone would be sufficient argument
against the two years term.
Then, lnasmnch as most Cong S.
men are willing to serve their neor.a a
second term, they emphasize such
willingness by due care for the inter
ests If the ensuing campaign and this
more or less distracts their minds from
the positive and undivided attention
to their duties as representative OF
the people. And apart ircnn ali these
things there is much to be said against
the frequency of elections.
p We know that some say freoneut
elections are means of getting a
direct expression of the people, and
that this is necessary in order to keep
representatives In touch with the GEO.
pie; that frequently the issues change
oftener than once in tour years, and so
q different representative might be
needed to serve the peoples Will. But
there is not argument enough in all
this to outweigh the objections: to two
years terms. If all other elections
should be held once in four years along
with the election for Congressman, the
country would be rid of half the dis.
turbance, excitement and bad blood
which our oft-recurring elections stir
up.
HE COMMONWEALTH hopes that that
part OF Senator Harris resolution which
refers to the four years term for mem
bers of the House will prevail, and the
necessary legislation will, follow to re-
neve us OF the disadvantages OF the two
years terms.
1t is not a conclusion with us reach
ed In moment or day; but ON the
contrary, it has been a subject of ma
ture elaboration for a number of wears
And we hope to see a full and free ex-
preston by the press of the country on
the subject. The columns of THE Cow
hoNwEALTH are always open to the in
telligent discussion OF questions of pub
lie interests, and we shall be glad to
have all phases of this question dis
eussed.
:. Let us hear from our readers on tb,s
subject. These columns are open.
There ls more Catarrh In this section
OF the country than all other. diseases
put together, and until the last few