New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-01
AMENDMENTS TO SENATE
SINGLE TERM BILL LOST
Day of WrangIing DlsCIoSeS
Great Opposition and ReSo-
luton Is Likely to Fail.
ROOSEVELT STORM CENTRE
Owen Proposes Abolition of
Electoral College and Close
Division Results-Williams
Talks of Despots.

Talks OF DeSpOtS.
from The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Jan. 3l.-The fate of the
proposed constitutional amendment limit
ing Presidents to single term of six
years was still undetermined to-day when
the Senate adjourned. Numerous amend
ments were submitted. but all Of them
failed. and the original resolution remains
unaltered. 4 final vote probably will be
taken tomorrow.
There IS much doubt that sufficient
votes can be mustered to pass the reso-
luton in its present form. To-day's de-
bate disclosed a strong current of opposl-
ton 10 a constitutional amendment which
might be regarded as an attempt to elm
mate any particular person from the
Presidential race. At the same time sew
eral attempts were made TO make II dp-
piicable to Colonel Roosevelt, the arSu-
ment being advanced that il was the I'M
written law OF the land that a President
shall serve no more than two terms
Would Abolish Electoral College
An amendment offered by Senator owen
providing for the abolition Of the Elec-
to.al College and the election and noih-
nation of President and Nice-Presideh' u!
a direct popular vote brought about the
most striking division Of the day IL was
defeated by 90 votes to 81.
Democrats and Republicans some OF
whom have been regarded as conserNa-
tive. supported IL. despite the appeal OF
Senator Works. the author of the single
term resolution. that this subject couid
be batter disposed of in separate meas
ure The vote on the owen amendment
indicated that when the bill now unoe'
consideration by the committee, which
achieves the same purpose, comes before
the Senate IL probably will have sufficient
support TO pass.
Those who voted in favor Of the direct
vote for President were:
Republicans: Borah Bourne. Bristow
Crawford. Gronna, Jones. Kenyon, La
Toilette. Mclean and Townsend.
Democrats: Ashurst Bryan, Chamber
n,
son (Maine). MARITIME. Myers, Newlands,
Overman. owen. Perky, Pomerene, Shive-
ly. Smith (Arzonal. Smith (Maryland),
Swanson and Williams.
Progressives: Clapp. Dixon and Pon-
dexter.
Those voting against the amendment
were:
Republicans: Bradley. Brandegee. Burn
ham, Burton. Catron. Clark (Wyoming),
Cullom Cummins, Dillingham;, du Pont
Gallinger, Gamble. Jackson Lodge, Nc
Cumber Nelson. oliver, Page, Penrose,
Perkins. Sanders. Smoot stephenson,
Sutherland Wetmore and Works
Democrats: Bankhead. Clarke (Arkan-
sas). Johnston (Alabama), Paynter, Percy
Simmons, Smith CGeorgia). Thomas and
Thornton.
Senator Root offered an amendment to
the single term resolution. making it APP
plicable only TO those elected after its
ratification. in order 20 remove any sus-
picion that il was directed at any par
ticulsr person. This, as modified by an
amendment by Senator Hitchcock, was
defeated, q TO 81.
Proposals for two four-year terms and
one four-year term and suggestions to
feet Taft Wilson or Roosevelt were all
defeated by large majorities
Crawford Defends the Colonel.
Progressives and Republicans who de-
clared themselves friendly to Colonel
Roosevelt again led a fight against the
do
clared it was against American govern
mental principles to limit the right Of the
people to choose a President Senator
Crawford insisted il was aimed at Colonel
Roosevelt.
we are asking the American people 10
foreclose themselves from the right 10 call
into their service the man Of the hou:
during crisis upon which the very des-
tiny of the Republic may be hanging
declared Senator Crawford. I'VE have no
fear OF despot."
NO we are not afraid of a despot,"
retorted Senator Williams neither was
any other fool nation that ever existed
until after they had got him"
The success OF Napoleon and Caesar In
establishing relationships gave the Senate
"
iams insisting that the United states
might confront such situation in the
future unless the extent Of President
service were limited.
"Why talk about Cesar and Napoleo7?''
finally interrupted Senator owen. do
YOU think that the action OF the people In
those days. when there was no telegraph
no telephone. no railroads and no modern
intelligence. ought 10 be used in this de-
bate as a guide 70 our dctions?"
I believe that the Electoral College will
some day precipitate a crisis and revolu-
ZION" said Senator Williams supporting
the owen amendment. because OF the
great power of personal action lodged in
each Presidential eiectO".
Unwritten Law Satisfies Borah.
Senator Borah spoke against an amend
nent b. Senator McCumber which pro-
nosed a limitation 10 two four car terms.
n