The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-30

dent for four years and the representa-
tives for two years, subject to reelection.
This was intended as safeguard against
usurpation by ambitious men. Congress
instead of remaining in power until an
appeal was made to the people, was to
lie an ever changing body subject to per-
! RENAL mutations according to the judg-
ment or caprice of the people. In the
language of the curb, here is where the
trainers Of the constitution fell down.
IN their fear OF a Caesar they gave the
country over to the pot-horse politician.
The idea of the electoral college was
to remove the actual choosing of the chief
magistrate from politics. 1t was based
on beautiful theory and showed that
the fathers had no conception of the
character of the modern politician, or the
effect of modern campaign on the bust
ness and industries OF the nation.
The biennial and quadrennial elections
of century ago have evolved with the
aid of modern party machinery into per-
retual political campaigns. The politi>
clan will give the voter no rest and the
place-hunter pursues the politician with
relentless rersistency.
TIE ballots are scarcely counted which
decide one election before the next one
is brought on the stage. Last fall be,
fore the shouts of the victorious Nc
Kinleyites had died upon the ear, GER
| tain Republican club met and offered the
next presidential nomination to Mark
| Hanna. Of course, he declined, but the
ball was opened, the band began to play
and the call for candidates rang out clear
and sharp. Within six months, and be-
fore his first term expired, Depew and
Grosvenor started to boom Mckinley for
a third term. Nor was this all. Senator
| Fairbanks of Indiana, representative
of the spoilsmen, was paraded as fit
ting candidate to bear the standard of
| the Republican party in campaign four
| years away. Foraker was mentioned be-
cause five of the nine supreme judges
thought his Porto Rico bill was constitu-
tional. Gov Oden, of New York, showed
name at once became connected with the
presidency, while Teddy Roosevelt eve
call him Teddy in New York; at once
began a systematic campaign to rise
| from vice to president, when the time
should arrive to appeal to the people.
Equally as foolish were the adherents
of the prominent men of other political
faiths.
The dead and wounded of the last battle
were scarcely cared for, before the ques-
ton of Bryan's succession was being dis
cussed. He was Unfortunately praised
and injudiciously condemned by the press
because, forsooth, he might become four
| years hence, a candidate. The dement's
and merits of Hill were cussed and dis
cussed Tom Johnson did not escape
when ne found himself mayor of CIeve-
| land.
| Oue uilBHI IItaHh Ills AllSIeSI Ill PROS
| pective candidates an aftermath of the
recent election, but there is no cessation.
! The political caldron boils with ever in
! creasing buildings. In this state the Re
| publican machine is grooming the inane
| political accident, that now occupies the
| gubernatrial chair. In Wisconsin the
fight for supremacy was on, two weeks
! after Gov. La Toilette took the oath of
office. In Pennsylvania political rest is
unknown The same is true to greater
or less degree locally in every state in
the Union. There are hangers-on who
spend the time between acts to foment
discord and hatch up grating schemes
to secure bread and butter.
1t is high time that federal and state
constitutions are amended so that pres
ident is elected for eight years and con-
! gressmen for four
The same proportion should be OBJ
served in extending the time of all state
and city officers. A short term incites to
experiment and carclessness on the part
| of the voters.