New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-27
6-YEAR TERM MUST COME
Otto T. Barnard Points to In
Creasing Cost of Primaries.
mo NEED FOR SECOND TERM
Better for Business" Paul M,
Warburg Says-Caution Sound
ed by E. H. Outerbridge.

Otto T. Barnard and Paul NJ. Warburg
expressed themselves In favor OF The Trlo-
une's campaign for a single sixyear term
for the President yesterday. Both declared
that 1t would have TO come with the adj
vent of countrywide direct primaries.
The increasing expense OF nominations
under the primary system" said Mr..
Barnard. will force the country to in
stitute a longer term for the President.
The direct primaries involve an expense
out of proportion even to elections, for the
tendency is TO increase the number Of can
didates, and each candidate must bear the
expense of his nomination. With a six-year
term such burdens will fall upon the peo-
pie less frequently.
The argument that we might need some
President for a second term must not be
listened TO. 1t is imperative to make the
single term provision binding, for we have
an unwrtten law now that no man shall
be a candidate for a third term, and II IS
not being adhered to. The impossibility OF
reelection will make il unnecessary for a
man to seek a second term in order to
Justify his administration, and will allow
him TO give his entire attention TO his Of
flee.
Again, the six-year period will relieve the
country OF the agitation to which It is
now subjected every four years, which
greatly dsturbs business conditions. l be-
lieve in the change most heartily"
Mr.. Warburg emphasized the fact that
the longer term would add greatly to bust
,ba
making the President more independent in
lis dealings with the large interests and
less subject TO the hue and cry OF the
moment.
II the direct primaries were TO be ex-
tended. he said. the Limitation to one term
would be necessary to prevent a repetition
of the Presidents being forced TO come
out Of the White House TO plead with the
people. Mr. Warburg preferred not 10
mention whether he advocated the extern
sion OF direct primaries. but seemed to be-
lieve that they would come. He will sail
for Europe this morning, and begged 10 be
excused from discussing the political situa-
ton further on that account.
r. H. Outerbridge, member OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce, called attention to the
necessity Of approaching the subject with
care. There were many obvious advantages
In IL, he said. but reform so far reaching
was not one to be put through on the spur
Of the moment.
Chairman William r. WILCOX Of the
Public service Commission remarked that
the change to single term OF six years
would be a good time TO establish a pen
sion for eXPresidents.
Il believe In the single term" Mr.. WILL
cox said emphatically when the proposition
was put before him. "and | believe that
the President should have some sort OF "a
salary after his six years are over. Then
II his advice was necessary he could be
called upon at any time 10 give the benefit
OF his experience"
Mr.. Wilcox advanced this argument to
meet those who hold that Il might some
time be necessary 10 keep a President in
the White House for two successive terms,
as IN the case OF Lincoln.
Under the present system" continued
the chairman, the President is no sooner
I'm Office than it is moro or less up TO him
TO plan for second nomination. With the
single term he would think first and solely
Of the things he ought 10 do for the good
whom he appointed would have more time
and thought TO devote TO the duties for
which they were responsible 20 the people.
The whole tone OF the administration would
be changed"
Eight years was the time proposed by
charles A. Peabody, president OF the Mutual
Life Insurance Company. with reelection
prohibited. He added. however, that IL the
majority decided on six years he would
stand by that period
The disadvantages OF having a President
eligible for reelection have been made obyi-
Gus In the last few months" said Mr.. Pea
body. Granting that the single term is
instituted four years are too short for a
man to show his worth. by the time a
man has been I'm the White House for the
present term he is just beginning to get the
hang OF things.
Il do not believe that eight years would
be too much. Even II We got an incapable
man I'm the Presidency. he would not be
able TO do as much harm in the eight years
as a good man could do good. II Is advis-
able TO have the time as long as possible,
I'm order that business may not be upset any
oftener than is necessary. The way II is
now. We are just beginning TO get straight
encd out after one campaign when along
comes another and bowls everything over
again
Frederick y. Underwood. president Of the
Erie Railroad. took the most original view
Of the matter heard In the course Of the
day
six years." remarked Mr.. Underwood.
81 think one year would be enough
Mr. Underwood was asked whether he had
any arguments TO advance in favor or this
thoroughly unique view.
Certainly" he replied. There are so
many candidates in the field that think II
only fair to give them all a chance
Becoming a bit moro serious, MI Under
wood said that a reform really worth talk
ing about would be To compel the issuing OF
railroad bonds in small denominations so
that they might be widely distributed among
investors OF moderate wealth. That would
do th. country a grea deal more good than
wasting time trying to change system
that was already giving good results.
III we have a good President, argued
Mr. Underwood why not keep him LOT
eight. or even twelve years? This scheme
~ rotation I'm office is the greatest rot that
was ever advanced. II you get good man
I'm the White House for Gods sake keep
him and IL you get poor one don saudle
vnurself with him for so long that you can
yet rid of him when you want TO- ulu
YOU a very goodnight