New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-31
RECALL OF PRESIDENTS
LOSES IN THE SENATE.
Amendment to Single Term
Resolution Gets Only Ten Votes
Five Are Democratic.
O'GORMAN HUSHES MARITIME
Jersey Senator Proclaims VIII
SON Faith in One Term Prin-
ciple, but Later Is Penitent-
Root Counsels Moderation.
LErom - rrlbune Bureau.I ]

Washington. Jan. Progressive dis
oiples advanced beyond their own outposts
to-day by proposing constitutional
amendment authorizing the recall of
Presidents at biennial elections. The
amendment offered by Senator Bristow,
of Kansas. as an appendage to the pro-
posed amendment making Presidents in
eligible for moro than a single term OF
six years was supported by ten out of the
sixty-eight Senators voting.
Five of the ten are Democrats. The
other five are either avOwed Progressves
or Progressive Republicans Those who
voted for the Presidential recall were Sen
ators Ashurst. Bristow, Clapp, Dixon,
Gronna, MARITIME, owen, Perky, PoindeXter
and Thomas.
When the single term resolution came
up il found the Democrats perplexed.
This perplexlty was turned into confusion
when Senator MARITIME replying TO ques-
ton by Senator Dixon, declared that
Presideft-eIect Wilson had said that he
believed In the wisdom of the one-ter1n
principle and approved the plank TO that
effect in the Democratic platform.
Democrats Silence MARITIME.
Senator O'Gorman hastily made his way
70 the Senator from New Jersey while he
was eth on his feet. and entered into
whispered conversation with him. The
nature of the talk was indicated by en-
Yhatic gestures. Senator MARITIME stood
his ground for the moment. but later IN
the day. after consultation with the Demo
cratic leaders, he took occasion 10 say
that he had gone no further than To say
that Woodrow Wilson would stand by the
Baltimore platform.
The origin of the single-term plank also
was the subject Of repartee. Il was under
the impression" said Senator Paynter'
that II was written by Governor Beck
ham Of Kentucky"
81 am Informed" replied Senator Dixon
who had the floor. that it was written by
a man whose name begins with r, but 1t
was not Beckam.'
'Tt must have been a Presidential b,
came from the Democratic side, and the
Senate chuckled without distinction as to
PARTY at this thrust At William j. Bryan
The Senate did not reach final vote
ON the single term resolution, which must
iuu the gauntlet Of many amendments be-
fore II is disposed Of. The Bacon amend
mcnt. changing the single term from six
to -four wears. was defeated by vote Of
- TO r.. Another amendment was pre-
scented by Senator Williams. extending
tine period Of eligibility 10 two terms or
one whole term and part Of another
term This would make the amendment
uarpHratlc toCProsidcnt Taft or Presi-
d.ut-clcct Wilson but would eliminate cX-
President Roosevelt.
Would Apply II to Future Presidents.
There was Il disposition on the part of
MANY Senators TO make the restriction APP
piicable only TO Presidents elected after
tine adoption Of the amendment if it
should finally he approved. An amend
mcnt to this end WAS presented by Sena-
tor Clark, Of Arkansas.
The changing of the Constitution is
too serious q natter" said Senator Root
TO be complicated by any personal con-
,idcraton We should not consider either
Wilson. Roosevelt or Taft
Mr.. Root went on TO say that four
years was too short term, as 1t required
some time FOR a President 10 reach the
point Of highest efficiency. This would
scarcely he attained, he said, before the
opposing party I'm Congress would Try to
cinbarrass him. Such tactics. he added,
have taken up the time Of Congress dur
ing the last two years
The resolution will he taken up again
tomorrow. the Senate having recessed I'm
order that the legislative day might con-
tinuc There f. doubht that it VIII secure
the necessary two-thirds majority in its
present form.