New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-24
FAVOR THE SINGLE
PRESIDENTIAL TERM
Men High in Both Parties A''x-
ious to See the Constltu-
ton Amended.
MOST BEMEFICENT CHANGE
Frederic r. Coudert Says IL
Cant Be Brought About
Too Soon 70
Suit Him.

influential men. when asked yesterday to
comment on the question OF coEstItu-
tionaI amendment limiting IL" President 10
q single six-year term. exp 'f'.' the'h-
eoly.s for tho most part iar'' inc
change. some thought II woU.' ior
Greater stability in the bushes OF the
countrv. but 1t was generally believed ny
hotb Republicans and Democrats that the
most important effect would lie that on
tbo conduct Ok the incumbent OF the Once
himself
Most Of them agreed with the stand taken
b. The Tribune yesterday that under t"'
present four-year term, with eligibility lot
recollection. the President, no matt" ROW
veil Intentional he may bc, ). ""
ably drawn into certain amount o.. "'-
fricaI intriguing that inevitably tnter-er'E
with the discharge Of his duties In b7oad
and qtatesrnanlilie manner.
Frederic r. Coudert II" lawyer. said
over tho telephone at hts homo. Tn oyster
BAY. that he wa etr"nuously III razor OF
almost any charge which would limit the
| President 10 ono town.
..Tn,-o rs not the slightest doubt In my
mind" ho said. THAT there should be
! .i, or even an eight year term for tire
/ PR idsut. with lnoligibiity for reelection
/ rorr Years would be too short term, !
,hirl, Tn. change would be tho most
nopogcent that could be conceived. and
.ho,ld be put into effect at once. as soon
as 70 could %" brought about by the proper
constitutional amendment
.ht present tho President IL no sooner IN
Office than he has TO begin TO play politics
II "a . serious menace TO our institutions.
Tho Presidency is all one man can attend
10 properly bat under present conditions
ro is psraly,ed by his scheming for a sec
nrd term \ longer term would also make
for greater stability in business. do not
think tho matter f. open 10 debate am
going to Baltimore tomorrow. and snail
advocate the change
Seth Low. at his home. al Mount hisco
sold that Il vas too serious matter 10
discuss without considerable thought.
81 have given the matter very little
thought as vet" lie said. but I think
there rs a great deal 10 be said on both
Sides. should want to think a long time
about It before taking either Side.
George MsccullOch Miller, president OF
St Lukes Hospital and director OF the
New York. New Haven & Hartford RAN
road. said that he was heartily In accord
with the feeling that Il was outside the
Office and beneath the dignity Of the Presi-
dent OF the United States 10 indulge In po-
uucal pickering. as Mr.. Taft vas forced
10 do in the recent campaign. Mr.. Miller
continued:
II have always been Republican, and
have never voted any other ticket since |
vas twenty-one years old. was also a
firm friend Of this administration until
President Taft came down from his high
office and took tho stump. Then said, In
the words Of tho French proverh Tie who
eIcuses himself accuses himself vas
not at all In sympathy with that perform
auce
I'm regard n tho proposed siX-year term
for tho President. there is much 20 be said
on both sides I have as yet come 10 no
definite conclusion in the matter. Person.
ally. / am a conservative. but nevertheless
| sec a great deal IN the plan that com
mends It
In the FIRST place, II would free the
President during his administration or
many things which might complicate his
Judgment, II he knew he could not be re-
elected He would be less open to political
persuasion and more likely TO rely on his
own best Judgment On thu other hand.
II Uo got thu right man IN tho White
House. we might need him. under certain
conditions for more than six years.
II think discussion OF such a subject
is a little premature. 1t would be wiser 10
null II over for another four years, at any
rate ". have too much to do just now;
too many problems to solve, both inside
and outside the party; too many forces to
be met, some OF them only developing. 10
add this comparatively unimportant pues-
ton to the list
William Nelson Cromwell. the lawyer,
stated that ne was heartily In favor OF
six year term, with no reelection. He was
not prepared yesterday to 80 into the mat
ter IN detail.