Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-06-11
THE THIRD TERM QUESTION

The subject OF a third term for Pres
,aort NJ fine United States Is once
more under discussion. President NC
Kinley now on his second term Is
very popular. and the party when
nominated him has probably no candl'
date for the position who stands as
well as he before the people OF the
United states. The statement that ne
viii possibly receive the namination OF
his marty once more, Is probably put
out lust now as feeer II pubHe
sentiment should be strongly expressed
against the proposition, It will doubt
less be abandoned, and political lead
ers viii be looking around for can
dldate having the elements Of strength
and character necessary in the stand
ard bearer for the next campaign
The theory. advanced by politicians
particularly that no man must be elect
ed three times as President OF the
United states, Is not founded on any
provision Of the law or the ConstI'u"
ton. There are reasons for the custom
Of limiting the occupancy OF the presl-
Dental chair by one individual to only
two terms. It Is thought there Is dah'
cor that II this limitation was not mn
posed the Incumbent would SO lay ms
plans and use his influence, as TO
hedge himself around with men ana
measures to perpetuate his power ana
make himself a relgnlng master rather
than q public servant
Anything tending towards monarchy
Is alarming to American citizens
Sometimes they are needlessly asl-
,ated over the bugaboo Of an American
emperor While the Constitution re-
mains in It's present form and spirit
there viii be no likelihood of the estab-
lishment Of any other form OF govern
ment IN this nation than that Of re-
public. II anything monarchlal in Its
nature should be introduced, 1t would
have TO be By the act Of the sovereign
people, a very unlikely movement. Any
attempt on the part OF the chief magls-
trate looking TO such an end would be
the signal for his own political ruin.
Any faction or party that would take
a step in that direction would thereby
write It's own epltaph, The founda-
tions Of our republic are too broadly
and firmly laid to be removed and the
supersirueture built thereon cannot
be 50 changed as to embody the archl-
lecture Of absolute empire.
II the American people should choose
to return a successful and able Presl-
dent to the executive chair for the
third time, or any number OF times, It
would not interfere with the integrity
OF our national system. We are not
arguing for the necessity Of such a
step, nor advocating such a movement
at the present iuncture, While Il is
true that President Mckinley has filed
the position for which he was elected
the second time, with honor and fidelity
10 his countrys interests, as he under
stands them. We DO not regard him as
the only man Of his party competent
to stand at the head of the nation.
There are men doubtless among his
political opponents who. II chosen by
the majority Of voters, would also
magnify the callug and election and
serve the nation sincerely and with
success But We look at the question
from the standpoint OF common sense
which is better and greater than GUS
tom, and therefore We see no good rea-
son why the choice OF the people Of
this great country should be confined
within the limit supposed to be pre-
scrlbed.
In the affairs OF a business firm or
great corporation, the qualifications for
Its chief official are usually measured.
TO some extent, by his experience and
the aptitude he has exhibited for the
duties OF the position. lie Is valued
and continued In Office therefor The
same reasons would be OF equal force,
II appears to u.s. IN the consideration
Of the choice OF the chief executive
of the nation OF course. with a
change OF the party IN power would
necessarily come q change In the presi-
dency, We are spcaklng now merely
OF the rule which seems to have OBJ
tanned, that no man IN either party
may be elected for a third time.
Because Washington declined the
honor ard there has been what some
people view as an unwrltten law
against a third term for a high public
ONCE that IS no logical or legal rca
son why The place should be- closed for
a third term, against any person whom
me people OF the nation should choose
TO occupy IT, Under our electoral sys-
TEN the matter can be safely left to the
others who exercise the franchise
UndJr the present impression upon the
puzzle mind IL would be dangerous
bsihaps. for either political party t.
tttempt to break through the custom
which has been so rig.i,y adhered TO
II would undoubtedly be used by tn,
opposing party TO IT'S own advantage
unless the political sense Of the masses
should be educated up TO a poin
where precedent would not prevail
against good judgment, and where thl
people would exercise the power which
they hold for the best good Of the ma
ton, instead Of for the exlgencies o
@ political party. Adherence TO a poo