Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-25
THE TERN OF THE PRESIDENCY.

Reports are frequent of an intent on the
uart of some of the best men In the party
TO have inserted in the republican plat
form next June a plank advocating ex-
tension of the presidential term Of office
10 six years and the denial Of the second
term The insertion Of such a plank
ought at most to be merely the declara-
ton and intention to bring the matter
up for thorough consideration rather
than a promise TO attempt the accom-
plshment Of such q change Immediately.
Fundamental changes in government
should come after mature elaboration,
but it is almost as dangerous to close
our minds entirely to Innovations as to
welcome them too precipitateiy. II any
Of the numerous suggestions now before
the American people are worthy Of the
sober consideration which leads up to
sane action. this Is Of the number.
The extension OF the term TO six years
and the denial of second term would
limit the consecutive tenure of even the
best and most fortunate presidents to a
period shorter than at present. Super
ficially this might seem likely to cut
short by two years the benefit which the
country could receive from the service OF
certain supremacy able men. On the 9TH
er side 1t might seem we'll calculated to
keep a man Of less than average pres-
Dental ability too long in office. and even
IT. case OF satisfactory incumbents to pro-
mote autocracy. Arguments along such
lines should be seriously considered. but
it is unlikely that any of them will ever
prove conclusive
In reply to the argument that such a
change would limit the length Of time
during which Il fortunate. good man may
now hold the office. 1t may be answered
that it would rather extend the time
which he is able to give direct service
to the government. Under the present
system. the president has no sooner
made a start than ne is required by tho
circumstances " The case to turn aside
from action directed solely to advance
tho interests of the country, to devote
attention to his own political fortunes
and this not in any selfish spirit but a.era-
y 20 get time IL nature the things he has
begun. 'che result is that the last thr~s
years services of the flrst term o. any
PRESIDENT are greatly hampored ny the
reed Of double tr,y. and Il might easily
happen that the policy OF me whole first
term would he coloret by the 3 >1.re for
.c-elec.lon.
Tho arSuInen. tina. by lengthening the
term we woulh be promoting Cncsnr-
is!n.' ;n-h ov the other par, o! tho prop
ositinn to limit each president tn a single
term Willie exto.dng the time Of real
serv'cc ;M' the bui,oe, and statesman,
from disjo!nted four or even five years
of undivided public service to six years
Mat could be court., on With certainty;
should be simultaneously cutting
down the span during which the ranter
chn rant and tie oisturber disturb, from
2 possible eight vars to six. At the
-4n,e time. also. We should be taking the
premium. of dcnogognery and political
manipulation and diminishing the number
and frequency. of those expensive lux
,ri.s and dsturbers of business. peace
and public welfare. those breeders OF per-
sonal argument. special pleading. unfair
hiss. and other corruption. presidential
elections. by providing for only two pres
idential elections every twslve years IN
place Of three as at present
W-aile We are talking of the Titanic s
heroes. let MS no. oy er!ook the fact that
tho :'"r"n did not leave their post of
ruty until fve minutes before the ship
wet down. IN sY,t. of the imminent dan
ser n-st they nigh, nc engulied in the
siri .ns crar.