The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-05-23
SINGLE TERMS. ,

The single term idea for officials is
gaining ground. The Forum has for
years advocated one term of four
years for state and county oficials.
The agitation for a one six-year term
for the president of the United States
is daily gaining in popularity. 1t has
already been shown that a majority Of
the members of both branches Of con-
gress favor the plan. In an editorial
discussion of the subject The Chicago
Record Herald had the following:
Certain newspapers are opposing the
single six-year presidential term pro-
posal while deploring the unprecedent-
ed, humiliating, painful personal as
poets of the Taft Roosevelt rivalry. No
matter how degrading a particular sit
uation may be. they say, il is always
dangerous to make it the occasion of
general legislation or policy.
This is undoubtedly true, but the
Taft Roosevelt fight has only revived
and created unusual interest in a re-
form which has been earnestly, impair
tally and thoughtfully advocated for
many decades in presidential messages
books and political ~treatises. No hasty
jumped-at conclusion is before us in
the Clayton Works proposal. 1t is as
suEedly not in the least improper "a
take advantage of "a hard case and
popular excitement and procure
change that is favored by sound opin-
ION and based on long experience an6
mature consideration.
The real question is whether there
are any serious, valid. reasonable OBJ.
jectiong 10 the single six-year-term
idea. We have seen none such among
those raised.
1t is said that a six-year term is toe
long for bad presidents A six-yeal
term is too long for bad senators, vel
cne hears of no movement for shorten.
Ing the senatorial term. Why? Be,
cause the benefits of the long term out.
weigh all actual drawbacks. The PEG,
pie will soon nominate as well as cleo.
both senators and presidents. 1t Il
their privilege and interest, their bust
ness and duty, to select good, fit anC
worthy men. Perhaps a longer tern
will make for greater care and deIiber.
alton In choosing chief magistrates
at any rate, no way can be found in
democracy to protect the citizenship
from the consequences of its own ap
athy or its own mistakes.
A single term, We are further told
might cause the executive to ignore 8
even defy the people. n to serv
special interests, since he would hav
nothing more to expect from til
body Of voters. 1t might-conceiyably
but what are the probabilities? Ho,
about the effect of any limit? Wha
is to prevent a reelected presider
from forgetting the people n beconi
ing Il tool of the ~interests2" The oh
lection proves too much and Is worth
less. AS well advocate q perpetus
or life term!
Would congress listen 20 n single
term PRESIDENT 1t has been asket
Would not the executive lose much {
his moral powex2 This Is very far
fetched, indeed. The executive wi
have his veto, his opportunities to III
fiuence action by general and specis
messages, his extra-legal opportnnitie
to address the public. He will hay
the power conferred By the goIde
stream OF patrcnage-which counI
most with some members OF congress
Will not six years seem a long time /
the average congressman In these OH
AuInsta11ces2 Besides the house
elected every two years, while the ser
ste also constantly hears FROM the per
WEt FEM+ rWH EEN