The Alaska citizen., 1912-05-20

IL has been suggested to Herbert Pusman. librarian of congress. that bibliography be. prepared of the documentary history and expert opin- ion on the third term tradition More interest s new shown in this subiect than at any time since 1880. when after four years absence from ihe White House. Gen Grant was an unsuccessful candidate for third nomination
 Most of the literature on the sub jsct clusters about that year Two sets of writers were active. one for and one against the third term, and the leading magazines Of the period reviewed about all the doc umentary history of what MT. Roos- in 1904 described as the wise GUS tom which limits the President to two terms"
 Matthew Hale in the National Quar- terly Review. April 1880, supporting the anti-third term rule stated that the state cf New York, at a con- vention in Poughkeepsie July 26, l7SS. ratified the constitution un- qualfIedly. He adds
 "A large majority of the delegates weIe al first in favor only of a con ditlonal ratification. dependent upon the adoption Cf certain amendments. Finally. however. news having come of the assent of New Hampshire and only one more state being nee essary to the adoption of the con- sutution, it was decided to make the ratification unqualified; but the resolution adopted states that the constitution was ratified by New York in full confidence that the pro- posed amendments would be adopted. Among the amendments propcs sed by New York was the following: That no person shall be eligible to the office of President of the United States a third time"
 Washinston's Attitude.
 Washington's farewell address is popularly considered the foundation stone of the anti-third term rule. but MT. Hale pointed out that before Washington had finished his term he asked Madison 10 assist him in the preparation cf farewell address to be issued with his then pros pective retirement at the end of his first term. The draft prepared by Madison read
 An early example of rotation in office of so high and delicate a nat. ure may equally concur with the republican spirit of our constitution and the ideas of liberty and safety entertained by the people"
 This draft was never issued by Washington, for he was reelected and served second term. His fare well address announced his purpose not again to be candidate, and added:
 Il beg you al the same time to do me the justice to be assured that this resolution has not been taken without strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the re- lation which binds a dutiful citizen 10 his country and that in with drawing the tender of service, which silence in my situation might i'm ply, am influenced by no dminu- tion of zeal for your future interest. no deficiency of respect for your past kindness, but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.
 Every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome, Satisfied that if any cir cumstances have given peculiar value to my services they were temper ary, l have the consolation to be- lieve that while choice and prudence invite me 10 quit the political scene patriotism does not forbid it."
 Jefferson's Example.
 After his second election, but be- fore the end of his first term, Thomas Jefferson on January 6, 1894, said:
 General Washington set the ex- ample of voluntary retirement after eight years. l shall follow it, and few more precedents will oppose the obstacle of habit to any one, after a while, who shall endeavor to extend his term"
 At the expiration of his second term. says MT. Hale, Jefferscn was solicited to consent to a continu- ance in office. This was asked for by several state legislatures. He replied in part:
 That I should lay down my charge at the proper period is as much duty as to have borne it faithfully If some termination of the service of the chief magistrate be not fixed by the constitution or supplied by practice, his office, nominally for four years, will in fact become for