The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-08-25
A Slx.YEAR PRESIDENTIAL TERM.

| The movement to amend article 2 OF
the United States Constitution 80 as tC
lengthen the presidential term to siS
years and to make the chief executive
Ineligible for re election Is very gener
ally favored by business men and com
mercial organizations throughout the
country. This il evident from the char.
acter of the responses received by the
National Business League, which re,
Gently sent ont inquiries touching This
matter
The coming of "A presidential campaign
is generally attended by considerable
business disturbances and is invariably
viewed with no little apprehension by
the commercial interests Of the country
This was strkingly evident during each
of the last two national campaigns,
when there was II prospect of sweeping
changes in those policies that are of vital
concern to the commercial and financial
interests Of the country. But even when
~ now, there is little prospect of sud
den change in the policies affecting the
business world, the coming Of presi
Dental campaign is viewed with appre-
hension by commercial organizations
because OF the many serious losses Incl
dent to the disturbance occasioned by II
political struggle.
Waile true patriotism, good citizen
ship, and pure government are infinitely
more important than business consider
atoms, the arguments advanced by the
business world in favor of lengthening
the interim between presidential cam.
paigns are worthy Of the hearty support
Of every citizen in the country and it
seems that the proposed change IL find
ing increasing favor with the people in
every state Of the Union But M the
change contemplates the ineligibility of
the president for re election, il would
seem 20 be better to make the presiden
,ial term eight years instead of six years
This would make the presidential term
as long N that now permitted by the
unwritten law of the country
The three years effort Of the present
chief executive in shaping public policies
so M to bring about his denomination
and re election, and Judge Parker dec
laration % his purpose never to be II
candidate again IN case of his election
have served to emphasize the impor
lance Of the amendment to the federal
Con ,ttution advocated by the National
business League
six year, or an eight year, presiden
tial term would mean u great saving to
the country and promote stability Of our
governmental policies. which il one of
the things desired by businessmen and
commercial organizations. OF course AZ
.tated above, m eight year term would
be much preferable 10 six year one.
The argument, IN support Of the do
sired amendment pertain directly to the
question Of good government and only
incidentally to the business advantages
that wOnld result from such change.
II the one term principle were made a
part Of the supreme law of the land. the
powerful temptation to nse federal pat
ranaga ~ an instrument for selfish mr.
poses would nj least be removed This
would enable the president to discharge
his duty with nm eye single TO his conn
| try's good NJ he might understand tina,
good. 1t would make him Independent,
Of party bosses and self seeking wire
| pnllers. II would make him indepen
dent Of Wall Street and tu plutocra,ic
ramificationn