The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-26
LENGTHEN TERMS OF OFFICE.

! In addition to legislation that will
simplify the ballot and make voting
in this state something less complex
than solving a cryptogram, and also
authorize the use of voting machines
so that the results of an election can
be definitely determined within rea-
sonable period of time, there is at least
one other important political reform
that should attract the favorable at
tention of the forthcoming legislature.
That concerns taking the necessary
preliminary steps to double the terms
of county and state officials. This is
the only way by which the fires can
be drawn from under the political pot
and its incessant boiling suspended oc-
| casionally. And that's a relief of
which the people of this great COM
monwealth are in sore need.
Just because William Allen White
came out this spring urging this re-
form and demanding that it have d
place in the Bull Moose-Repubhcan
state platform, that ought not to put
the jinx on the proposition and sound
its death-knen. It is true that the
voters Of Kansas applied the kibosh
to most of MT. Whites prominent
candidates for office, and that there
by they registered their disapproval of
Mr.. Whites political propaganda.
But this is a reform that is not the
sole property of Mr. White by any
manner of means. And just because
he is an ardent advocate of it is no
reason why it should be tossed to the
winds as the voters have shown a
prediction of doing with most of the
things and men political that the
genial Emporia editor has so strenu-
ously supported with voice and pen.
This is a political suggestion that has
been before the people of Kansas for
many years. Resolutions to bring It
about have been presented in several
of the recent legislatures. And some
serious consideration was given to it
at the last session. Mayor Billiard of
Topeka has been an outspoken cham
pion of the plan for a long time. And
it was urged repeatedly in these coll |
umns before Mr.. White took it up
last spring for the purpose of making |
political capital out of it.
1t is too big a question to belong |
to any party or faction. 1t is its pure
merit that gives 1t such strength. |
There is a growing sentiment in it's |
favor among the people all over the |
state. And, no wonder! They have
many more important matters to |
which they would like to bend their
undivided energies, without being |
bothered continually by candidates
them for support at pri- |
maries and at the subsequent cleo
lions. So ravenous has become the
quest for office in Kansas that one
campaign is scarcely settled for either
state or county offices before another
IS begun.
This is nothing but a nuisance
Elect men to county and state offices
for terms of four years each. Pro-
nibit them from becoming candidates
for reelection without at least one
term intervening. Adequate safe
guards can be provided for the recall
or removal OF any official who might
De recreant to his trust.
With such a system of state and
county elections prevailing the people
would be the gamers in many ways
N addition to being relieved from the
necessity of paying attention to poll
les all the time. And one of them is
hat men put in office under such
conditions could be depended upon to
discharge their duties earnestly and
without fear or favor. They would not
pc worrying about carrying on d Wig
1rous campaign for reelection, while
hey were also attempting to do the
work for which they were chosen.
This fact alone ought to improve the
service of state and county officials