The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-28

a reputation of his first term admins
tration This becomes not only a rebuke
to the outgoing President but reacts I'M
favorably upon the prospects of party
success in the ensuing election for his
successor. Party authorities usually
support the candidate for the second
term sometimes against their own tudg-
ment, for the foregoing reason.
In addition to the foregoing the ambi-
lions of men in this office lead them TO
aspire to second term. Human nature
surrenders power grudgngly. Granting
that our Presidents have been as free
from this universal human feeling as
any other chief magistrate in the world.
yet it must be conceded that this ambi-
ton controls in nearly every case since
Washington's time.
I do not favor the extension of terms
of the members of the House of Repre-
sentatives to three years. This is a
popular branch of our Government, rep
resenting mere population. When the
public verdict Is to be taken the two
year period has been the usual term.
Three elections for Representatives
would occur in the term of single
President Any reversal of public sent-
ment or a reputation of his administra-
ton could be very effectively manifested
every two years in the House. The House
is the source of our money bills. With
out the appropriations an administration
can be checked in most of It's undertake
ings. 1t furnishes. too, an effective
means of taking public sentiment at an
interval which 1 do not regard as toe
frequent.
SENATOR KENNETH MCCLELLAN
CD, Tennessee have not given the
matter sufficient attention to write with
deflniteness. 1t seems to me that the
Presidential term of four years Is prob
ably best. There are many reasons why
Congressmen's terms should be extended
to four years, but do not think 1t would
be wise to make the term three years
Perhaps the founders Of our Government
were wise in fixing the terms as they
are.
SENATOR WILLIAM S. KENYON
(R). Iowa. think the Presidential
term should be increased to six. years
with ineiigibility thereafter. Congress
mems terms should be made six years
with ineligibillty, and Senators ten years
likewise with ineligibility. That sounds
a little drastic. l believe we would have
better service If that were done. and
/ have been seriously thinking Of In
Producing a constitutional amendment
along that line.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN J. EsCH
(E), Wisconsin-In the convention
which framed our Constitution there
was much debate as to the length of the
Presidential term. There were some who
advocated a seven year term, with In
eligibility for a second term, while others
advocated The present provision of the
Constitution. providing term of foul
years with no prohibition against sec
ond term.
The question you submit of a term o
six years with ineligibility at the END
of the term would be in the nature o.
a compromise and in view of the agita
ton and business upheaval attendan
upon our natural elections six yea
term with ineligibiity for second tern
would, in my opinion, be advisable.
After an experience of twenty-five
years in the House l believe a three
year term for members of the Hous'
would be preferable to the present tern
of two years. OF course. fixing thu
term of the House member at three
years would make it necessary, in IN,
opinion, to have the election of Sena
tors come at the same time as the cleo
ton of members of the House. Thi:
would result in dividing the Senator:
into two instead of three classes. sc
lDdL OHt-Hdll VI the otiidbOiS WOoN
have their terms expire every three
years.
REPRESENTATIVE c. p. CALD.
WELL CD, New York; am opposed
to the change of the Constitution so as
to effect either one of the propositions
you mention. In less than a century
and half the United States has grown
to be the greatest world Power, and
don't know of any particular instance
where the changes you mention would
have worked TO a greater good.
The people in each community know,
IL they know anything about their Gov
eminent. that long service In the legis-
lative branches of the Government of
both the State and the United States
adds prestige and power, and those con-
stituents that are wise select good men
to represent them and keep them there
until they grow into effectiveness. Only
a specialist in government Is worthy of
retention.
REPRESENTATIVE II. NJ. GOLD.
FOGLE CD, New York; would pre-
fer to have the Presidential term made
eight years, with ineligibility at the
end of 1t, and the Congressional term
four years. / have long been a strong
believer in and an earnest advocate of
lengthening the present Presidential
and Congressional terms as above indi-
Gated.
Experience gained during sixteen