Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-29
PRE- SIpENr DECLARES ne 10 OF.
POSED TO LIMIT ON PREsI.
DENTAL TERM.
WOULD DO AWAY WITH
ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE
Thinks People Should ss Privileged to
Retain Efficient Executive n Long a.
They Choose-Favors Direct Primar.
les in Selection Of. Presidential Can.
didatss.

/ 1lSOn Is opposed 10 the uIu1ldeIoa VI
the tenure of the presidency. But be
favors the direct nomination of pres
idential candidates by a national pri-
mary, without the Intervention of con
ventions, and the direct election of the
president by the people without the
machinery of the electoral college.
He expressed himself to this effect
yesterday in a talk with Representa-
tive Britten. the Chicago republican
who has introduced a resolution in the
house calling for constitutional
amendment providing for direct nomi-
nations and elections, and a single six
year term for the president.
In Difference to the views of the
president, Mr.. Britten will abandon
the movement for the single term linn
itation and concentrate his efforts on
adoption of the direct elections resolu-
tons. He will introduce the amended
resolution today
The opinions expressed by the pres
ident set at rest all uncertainties as to
his disagreement with the Baltimore
platform of the democratic party in
dorsing the single term idea.
His idea also makes it certain there
will be no legislation on the subject
during his administration.
Comment Of Bryan Amended.
The plank in the Baltimore national
democratic convention platform de-
clares:
We favor single presidential term
and to that end urge the adoption OF
an amendment to the constitution
making the president of the United
States Ineligible for reelection, and
we pledge the candidate Of this con-
vention to this principle.
William Jennings Bryan has been
held responsible for the inclusion %
this declaration. but apparently he did
not take the precaution Of obtaining
the pledge Of NE. Wilson. who was
n nominated before the platform was
adopted An inkling of the presidents
attitude was given last February when
the judiciary committee Of the house
killed the senate single term reeolu-
ton after Mr.. Wilson's views had been
q scertained.
Recently Secretary Bryan. In a
speech at Harrisburg, Pa, asserted that
any democrat who disregards the dem
ocratic platform is q criminal" I'm
nediately the politicians opined that
the president would put himself in the
criminal class II he should dare to be
a candidate for reelection. Bryan at
once disclaimed such Interpretation Of
his remarks. He said he was referring
70 legislators who ignored party plat
forms ri
Opposes Limiting Of Tenure.
Mr.. Wilson's opinion is that the te-
nure Of the presidency should be left
as provided In the constitution. He be-
lieves when the people find president
efficient they should not be prevented
from retaining him in office as long as
they see fit to do so. Conversely. II
a president proves failure the people
ought to be able to get rid OF him as
soon as possible. For that reason a
four year Is better than q six year
term.
The president made It plain that he
has no sympathy with those senator's
and representatives who sought to
make Theodore Roosevelt ineligible TO
the presidency. He holds neither Col
onei Roosevelt nor Mr.. Taft should be
barred from denomination and re-
election IL the people want them TO
serve again. But he favors the direct
nomination and election Of presidents.
The party convention. said the presl-
dent. is one Of the strongest bulwarks
Of bossism. and when 1t is abolished
bosses will have little power left.
Direct Primaries May Win.
The advocates Of national direct pri
maries express confidence that some
kind of legislation in this direction Will
be accomplished during the Wilson adj
ministration.
Last winter poll Of the members
of congress was, conducted to deter
mine the extent OF the sentiment In
favor OF national presidential primar-
les. the elimination Of conventions,
ana in. PRONUNCIATION Of platforms by
the individual candidates of the pri-
mary. The result showed nearly one
half of congress noncommittal on the
question and the other half about
equally divided between approval and
disapproval.
But II the president should get
squarely behind such legislation his
influence would command a majority
Of both houses without much effort.