The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-10-14

THIRD TEz-.

posed that they were limited TO
that number by Law, and in many
states such is the case.
Older citizens will remember
how the country Vas shocked by
the announcement that President
Grant would be a candidate for
a third term, and ID to that time
a great majority of the People be-
lieved that it was demonstrations
al for president to serve more
than two terms, and so strong
was the impression that such
ought to be the law, that Gen.
Grant, despite his splendid mill
tary and civil record and the
backing Of the most perfect po-
litical organizat;s that ever ex-
listed in the United States, was
denied third matter strug-
gle that almost sent Nhe Repub-
lican party asunder.
When at the close Of Washing
tons second term the leaders of
the nation earnes ly besought
him to a third he RESPECTFULLY but
firmly declined, saying in sub
stance that with fhe patronage in
the hands of the executive Git
amounted to less than 5000 900
per annun at thas t:nle) it would
| be possible to perpetuate himself
in place and instead being presi-
dent, he would develop into a die
tator and principle would be
eliminated from presidential con-
tests, and that they would be-
come mere struggles for places
| and patronage.
This statement struck a respon-
sive chord in the hearts of the
| American people, and the sound
| ness OF its reasoning was so gen
orally recognized that from
| Washington to Grant no presi-
| dent ever even Considered stand
ing for third term, and after the
| disastrous experience of Gen.
4 Grant the question was not raised
until the people, almost prospect
i've Of party, DANGEROUSLY demand
| ed of Roosevelt tnat he stand for
| a third term, or rather for a sec
ond elective term. The president
lnstantaneously put a quietus on
the subject, declaring that the
two-term principle was sound
American political doctrine, and
that 1T should be observed il
spirit as we'll as i'll letter. That
while he had only served one
elective term, he had in reality
served two terms and refused tx
allow his name to be considere.
for a third time.
Thus Washington sentences
) third termism to death; the PEG
pc buried it in the days of Grant
: and in 1903 Theodore Roosevelt
erected over it a monument 81
stupendous that it can neve
again be exhumed to trouble tn
American people. It has bee1
: forever settled that the Unite
t States will always have a presi
) dent, but never a dictator.
: Precisely the same reasons VIII,
S a president should not heveA
: third term apply with equal fore
/ to the office Of governor OF
: great state, and while thev hav
i not always been observed. tier
) have been very few exceptions
j and these exceptions have alwav
: been brought about by tn
Vaccinations Of politicians an
|, never by a spontaneous deman
: on the part Of the people.
n 1t is interesting to note wha
t Gov. Johnson sad on this subiec
: in his first annual address:
c AT the outset | wish to dis
r cuss question which, during tn
past few weeks, has impresse
e me as being of rn.t~s, importance
f / refer to the tel: - of office G
the governor. : ,.wly electe
E executive is SO burdend with tn
Y duty Of selecting his official fam
4 lily that he finds little time for tn
4 study of the conditions of the sew
t eral state institutions and matter
n Of state concern generally. Their
E too, he goes into office with tn
). converting of the legislature $
4 that his administration finds it
4 greatest work at the beginning {
+ his term. For these and othe
c reasons ] believe that the tenur
: of this office should be extende
: to four years, with the provisio
: that the executis Z should not b
: eligible for reelection. Unde
= these conditions he would certain
{ ~ be enabled to give the stat
!, his best possible service unham
: nered hv any official duty whic