The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-09
Arranging the Term.

The members OF the Constitution Com
mittcc were convinced upon reflection
that il would be profita bic to be wise In
time. and forthwith the draft OF the rules
and regulations for making OF Presidents
in China was produced. One rule placed
the term at six years; another prevented
a President from seeking ro-clection, and
n few others placed restraints which were
aimed directly at Yuan Shih-kai, the mem
/ bcrs hoping they would eventually bt
adopted by Parliament, but paving the
way for escape from culpa bility. IL serious
objection arose TO them by declaring that
they were only the basis for consideration
and that was all the committee was cX-
pccted to prepare.
Very little time elapsed before the mem
bcrs OF the committee began TO hear
gentle Inconsistencies from various mill
tary and police organizations. Some con-
vcyed sinister threats. others II hint that
! If considerable freedom were not given
the President perhaps there would be nc
need OF a constitution at all.
| When the draught reached Parliament
similar demonstrations" were made, the
military and police assuming more die
tatoral tone. demanding that wide scope
be accorded 10 the President and that
more than one term be provided for. Rep.
rcsentation 10 the President By the indiG-
nant members OF Parliament brought a
rap over the knuches for the interfering
military and police but the man in the
: In. t,a
see the tongue IN the official cheek.
| Prevented from openly reminding tho
members OF Parliament of their duty, tho
, military and police adopted other means
Circulars were issued 10 individual mem
bers and were publicly distributed in front
OF Parliamen. House. warning recalci-
;rants OF troubles in store il any non
sense was shown in moulding "a section OF
the constitution OF which they did not APP
prove.
The campaign was not without its cf-
feet. Members known To he opponents OF
Yuan Shih-kai who mad previously proved
| immune to the temptations of dollars be
came alarmed, and when the voting stage
was reached they were prepared to let
amendments defeating their own object
so through without much question.
Therefore the term Of tho President was
set az five years. with the right OF re-
election for a second term, and provision
for an exhaustive ballot WAS agreed TO.
Taking the Ballot.
| For the first ballot n three .fourths ma
iority out OF a two-thirds attendance OF
the members of the Joint houses was re-
quircd 10 elect a President, and IL that
ballot failed second ballot on similar
lines was 10 DC held a second failure 10
lead TO the two candidates with the high
est votes being put up 10 the vote, bare
MIA jority 10 elect.
Although 1t Was fairly certain that Yuan
Sh!h-kai would be returned, a suspicion
lurkcd in quarters that perhaps the ma
jority would so against him when voting
Time camc-thc vote being secrct-and
again the military became active. The
well known leaders OF the opposition were
once more warned. and on the day OF the
election the aggressive attitude of the
military Was not disguised
Members of Parliament and the public
In general found the locality OF Parliament
House occupied BY mounted men. or in.
fantry and policemen. with a large num-
bcr of soldiers in muftl standing bv Ia
enforce reason II it did not display itself
voluntarily. 1t is estimated that three
thousand soldiers were on duty. aud that
many others had been placed throughout