The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-13
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
 Some worth while reflections may | now be made to advantage upon some general aspects of our presidential | elections as typifed by that of 19OS--re- factions which naturally did not pre- sent themselves forcibly when the fight was on. First, as to vice presidents. The various political parties have been in the habit of nominating men for the vice presidency who are far from being of the high calber of their presidential running mates, We must exclude MT the national ticket with Mir Mckinley, as the exception which proves this rule. Some things may now be said which would have been misconstrued before election day The Journal-Courier has openly admired the courage of some of the admirable executive traits of Vice President elect sherman, but We feel certain that there will be few to con, tend that he has capabilities on 2 par with those of Mir Taft, The same Is true of Mir. Kern in comparison with MT. Bryan II is an "open secret among politicians that the vice presi-  dential office is as effectual political burying ground as there Is Instead Of being an office wherein men gain knowledge and experience which win fit them to best serve their country at a later day in the higher office that of president, the vice presidency is avowedly used as a make-shift. The men who succeed to it confess by the mere fact that they do accept 1t that they do not expect to go higher.
 Something must be done to bolster up the office of vice president, one ex cellent suggestion is that he be made member of the presidents cabinet That would help. If, in addition, 1t be- came the exception (rather than the rule as at present. when a vice presi- dent did not receive the presidential nomination at the next election, as capable men would be found willing to run for this office as now for the presi- dency This rule of succession holds fast as regards the officers of our clubs associations, and other organizations It is applicable to our government There should be as much care and Judgment displayed in the selection of the second in command as in the head or miss as regards the vice presidential candidate as at present The life or but one man separates him from the greatest responsibility in the land
 Second, as to the length of presdcn- tial terms. The usual cry for elections every six or eight-year terms Is now being raised again The dire results to the business world of the uncertainties of the elections are being dwelt upon, "The farmer, the manufacturer, the merchant, the professional man, and the wortlngman," says the Chicago Evening Post, for instance. "all will bo better off when the tenure of office of the president of the United States is extended" To this stock argument the Springfield Republican has offered, we believe, the best sort of refutation IL points out that, if 1t is best for the interests of business that national then presidents for life ought to suit business men best on the one hand with longer terms there would follow a correspondingly greater anxiety in the elections whenever they do come which would be bad for business on the other, national elections at more freuuent intervals would be less dis tracting and hence would develop less popular interest, this becoming cor. respondingly less representative of the real wishes of the people--another re- suit not to be desired by any class commercial or otherwise.
 It cannot be denied that our natiOna elections have q dire effect upon bust ness That cannot be wholly avoided but 1t may be lessened. It may b' iesseued by having shorter campaigns The growing practice of making public all campaign receipts and expenditures will make toward that end. The more publicity, the less campaign money and the less money, the shorter tho campaign that is the logic The four year period is an admirable length fol presidential term. If should con tinue, and, in addition, t should be