The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1912-05-24
SIX YEAR TERM IS
SERVICE ENOUGH
FOR A PRESIDENT
PRECEDENT TAFT HAS SUGGEST
ED THAT ONE TERM is
SUFFICIENT.
PROPOSITION is FAVORED
In Spite of the Argument for One
Term of Six Years, the Bill Will
Most Likely Fail at Present Ses-
sion of Congress.

cDH W ON Ca 49, $500 - -
Most Likely Fail at Present Ses'
sion of Congress.
WARRINGTON, May 21.-A reso.
luton to make the length Of service
Of the chief executive six years and
give to President but one term,
has been introduced in the house by
Representative Clayton, chairman OF
the committee on the judiciary The
resolution was suggested, the author
explained when he offered the leso-
Luton, by a declaration made by
President Taft in recent speech
when he said that President ought
not to be permitted to succeed him
self.
This resolution is now pending in
committee. 1t probably will be taken
up for consideration when the reso-
luton of Representative Henry,
chairman of the committee on rules,
to change the date of Inauguration
from March to the last Thursday
in April, is considered. 1t is the
purpose OF Chairman Clayton then to
offer his resolution as an amendment
to thst of Representative Henry,
: which has been favorable reported
from the committee on the judiciary.
1t q argued by the advocates OF
the ore.term measure that it would
take the President directly out Of
politics. after his election, and pre-
serve to the office of the chief exc
cutive of the country the dignity and
absence of political strife which, 1t is
declared, the trainers of the consti-
tuition intended for it.
That the Office has been thrown
from this high plane Is declared to
have been proved by the develop
ments Of the present campaign for
presidency. Advocates of the pomp
and dignity that they declare should
90 with the Office Of the President
point to this imbroglio as strong
argument in favor of the six.year
term without succession.
They also deplore the fact that a
former President should find it
necessary, In the furtherance of his
political ambitions, to help to lower
the dignity of the Office by INDUCING
IN campaign of "mud-slinging," as
it is termed in the vernacular of the
politicians. Such campaigns, they
say, have done much to lower the
respect and reverence for the office,
and hey charge that should this
state of affairs continue the highest
Office in the gift Of the voters would
be brought to the level of the lowest
of elective Offices.
Consequently, friends of the move
ment are lining up their forces in
the effort to Get the resolutions
through congress, dRclaring it is
time that the Office of President of
tie United States was free from the
strife Of political activity and re-
stored to the position which the
fathers Of the country intended It
should occupy in the minds Of the
people.
Another phase of the situation, ad-
vancef by the supporters of the new
Legislation, IL that under present
conditions a President devotes too
much time to the work of strength
ening hi political fences, and in con-
sequence neglects, to great extent,
the business of state with which he
lie charged.
: In this connection it is pointed out
that tie average President spends
practically half of his firts term in
the endeavor to obtain his re-elec-
tloh lOi dHOLuCl pei lOu duu udo
scarcely become cognizant with the
workings OF the Office before he turns
his attention to the prospects of re-
election. In consequence, it is ar
gued, President serving two terms
really gives only about Ave years
of the entire eight to the business
Of his ONCE.
With, the political work to obtain
reelection removed under the pro-
posal OF the one term amendment,
It Ia declared, the incumbent Of the
White IJuse will be free to dvote
his time to the real affairs Of the
ONCE with no thought Of building
political fences to distract his atten-
ton. Again, 1t is pointed out, the
feature Of federal patronage would
not enter into the troubles of the
President and he would be free to
name Een for the various Offices at
his command with the thought only