The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-17
SINGLE TERM Of 6
YEARS BEST, SAYS Pres.

now are under our present system. 1t
has been proposed twice In our his
tory, after the fullest consideration by
some of the wisest statesmen we have
ever had. to pass la giving TO each
department head seat In the senate
and in the house. and a right to en-
ter into the discussion of the pro-
posed legislation in either of the ma
tional legislative bodies.
Would Keep Congress Informed.
This would keep congress much
better informed as to the actual con-
iitions in the executive departments.
IT would keep the department heads
on the qui vive with reference to their
knowledge OF their own departments,
and their ability to answer appro-
private questions in respect to them.
1t would necessitate the appointment
TO tie cabinet of men used to debate
and TO defend their positions, and 1t
would offer an opportunity for the
public to judge Of the executive and
his government much more justly and
much more quickly than under our
present system The ignorance that
congress Mt times has of what is
actually going on IN the executive de-
partments, and the fact that hours
Of debate and pages OF the congress
sionai record might be avoided by
the answer to a single question by IA
competent cabinet officer on the floor
OF either house, is frequently brought
sharply TO the attention OF compe-
tent observers. / think too II might
perhaps promote the amenities. be-
tween the two branches. II this sys-
tenn were introduced.
THE strongest reason for advo-
eating this change, however. ia that
the influence that the executive shall
have in sha ping legislation shall! be
more In harmony with the respon-
sibility that the people hold him to,
in respect to #.
Not the English System.
"Of course. th.s is not the COM
plete English system. because IL does
not give to the cabinet the power to
lead and control legislative action as
the British government may in par
liamsnt. But 1t combines so much
OF that which is valuable. and as 1t
can be done by mere act of con-
gress, l think ii ought 10 be tried"
In the course Of his speech, Prest-
dent Taft declared that the presidency
Ia far from being an easy post to
mi, but that he considered that the
man who held Il was well compen-
stated. The presidency, laughed
Mr.. Taft, rs not place to be en-
joyed by a. sensitive man"
Referring to the results or the
election, the president SAID;
II beg you to believe that in spite
Of the very emphatic verdict by which
| leave the office, cherish only the
deepest gratitude to the American
people for having given me the honor
OF having held Office. and / sincerely
hope. In looking back over what has
been done. that there Ia enough of
progress made to warrant me in the
belief that real good has been ac-
complished, even though regret that
II has not been greater My chief re-
greet Is my failure to secure from
the senate the ratification of. the gen
erat arbitration treaties with France
and Great Britain. ! am sure they
would have been great steps toward
general world peace"
PolxcS Fun at Wilson.
The president concluded by poking
fun at Governor Wilson'S announce
ed intention OF keeping open door"
at the White House. and by ridicul-
ing Mr. Bryan's scheme for dispos-
Ing of x-presiderts by placing them
IN the senate The president said:
III must go and disappear into OBJ
iivipn. I prefer to go by choioroform
Its pleasanter and its less drawn out
The president spent very busy
day In New York motoring about
the city ard suburbs. In the morn
ing he attended reception at the
College OF the City Of New York in
honor of Or. Alexis Carroll. the re-,
cipient Of the Nobel prize. and then
went to Dobhs ferry. where he In
spected the New York Juvenile asy-
hum. After luncheon with Adolf
Lewisohn. the president visited the
Hebrew Sheitering Guardians Or
phan' asylum, at Pieasant1ille, n. "
returning to the Waldorf-Astoria just
In time 10 dress for the Lotos club
banquet He will remain quietly In
the city tomorrow, going 10 New
Haven Conn. on Monday. to attend
the meeting of the Yale corpora
ton.