Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-01
Senate Deluged With Plan
for Amending Constitu-
ton in Fixing a Single
Presidential Term.
EXEMPTION CLAUSE
CREATES DIVISION
Suggestion to Exempt Taft,
/, Wilson and Roosevelt
Causes Merry Tilt; Start
ing Time is Not Set.

Washington, D. c., Jan. 31.-Nearly
a dozen important amendments and
counter proposals were pending be-
fore the senate today when it resumed
consideration of the Works resolution
for single six year presidential term
These included many amendments de.
signed to exempt Wilson, Taft and
Roosevelt from the effect of a change
In the constitution and some amend
ments so drawn as expressly to exclude
Colonel Roosevelt from another term
The senate was still in the legisla.
tive day of yesterday, as it had agreed
to vote on the Works resolution dur
ing the Legislative day of January
3O.' 1t was expected that's a final vote
on the resolution and all amendments
might be reported before night. Al
least four Of the amendments pendip'
were to restrict a president to "o
terms but to count fraction OF
term" as full term. An amendment
by Senator Gallinger proposed a four
year term, with the privision that mo
person who has held the Office by cleo.
ton, or discharged it's powers and
duties. or acted as. president should
be eligible to hold the ONCE, by cleo.
tion more than one additional term.
Amendments are Varied.
!. An amendment by Senator Hitch
cock was similar but provided a sia
year term. with one reelection. An
amendment by Senator McCumber also
limited president to two four year
terms and provides that any service
as president for "the major traction
of four year term should count as
one term. Senator Williams amend
ment. similar to this, would have
co-nted "any fraction of term as
fun term.
1rnder. any OF these amendments,
rclcrel Roosevelt would be ineligible
for reelection An amendment by
Senntor Paynter proposed to extend
r. q six year term to the president IN
Office when the constitutional amend
ment should be ratified; another by
Senator Dixon proposed expressly to
exemnt President-elect Wilson from
the restriction of single term. and
ar amendment by Senator Root pro-
posed to make the single term take
effect after March 4, 1917.
An amendment offered by Senator
Clark, democrat, of Arkansas, pro.
nosed that the new constitutional
amendment should not affect the presi.
dent in Office, when adopted, or any
former president. This would nave
exempted Wilson and Roosevelt. ..
Would Exempt Three.
When the senate took up the SUD
iect, Senator Roots amendment to
make the constitutional amendment
take effect March 4. 1917, was de-
feated on a viva voce vote. but by de-
manding a roll call he got it befo'
the senate again for further considera'
ton AS a substitute, Senator Hitch
cock proposed an amendment to let
wilson. Roosevelt or Taft have one
six.vear term under the new amend
ment.
"When we except these persons
from it's operations, we are making II
entirely personal declared Senator
Borah; "we might as we'll name these
three men in the amendment as being
exempt from its provisions. we prac'
t,cally would be amending the constl'
tution for their convenience
: Senator Paynter then proposed an
amendment 10 make the six-year term
take effect in 1921. Senator Works,
author of the original resolution, en-
dorsed Senator Hitchcock's plan.
clapp Opposes Exemptions.
Senator Clapp progressive, took
emphatic exception to this proposition
1T is a reflection upon the senate
itself" he declared. sin our saying to
the country that great principle can
not pass this body unless three great
rartisan leaders are recognized and
cared for in the constitution.
"I am not in favor of any limitations
on the right OF the people to choose
their own executives" continued Sena'
tor Clapp: "but if such principle is
to be established regard it as trifling
with the fundamental principles OF
government to recognize the personal
equation and exempt three gentlemen
from the operation of the constitu'
tional amendment. One Of these gentle.
men I hold in close friendship; yet
in the interest of that man | would
not like to see a principle put into
effect from the operation OF which ne
would be exempt"
tIf this change in our constitution
is wise and if this limitation Is to be
adopted, let us rise to the occasion
and apply it to every man"
Senator Cummins favored and Sena.
tor Lodge opposed the exemption for
Wilson, Roosevelt and Taft.