Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-03-25
Diverse Views of Subject
Taken in Administration
Circles - Daugherty for
Present System
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Heased Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1929

Copyright, 1927
WASHINGTON, March 23.-PresI-
dent Harding is not averse to the
enactment of constitutional amend
ment limiting the chief executive OF
the United States to a single term
OF six years. Although Representa-
tive Wood, of Indiana, Republican,
who has just introduced in congress
such n proposal for an amendment
to the constitution, was sail at the
White House today to have refrain
ed from discussing the suggestion
with the president, it is fact that
Mr.. Harding recently has expressed
in informal discussions a deep inter-
est in the question Of what should
be the presidential tenure.
Mr.. Harding is not particularly
concerned whether the limitation al
fects his own tenure or not. lie is
said to have remarked on one occa-
sion that it would be source OF
much satisfaction to him if the
question of reelection were disposed
of definitely during his term of Of
flee. 1t also is true that some of
Mr.. Hardirg's advisers have differ
ed with him on the merits of Sill
gle presidential term, and have
urged that the present unWrltten
custom of the American people art
err all is the most satisfactory way
OF dealing with presidential success
sion.
So far as Mr.. Harding is concern
ed, even If a constitutional amend
ment were passed by two-thirds OF
both houses of congress, and ratified
by three-fCurths of the states before
the elections of 1924, it could not
affect the length of his present term.
There would be no bar either against
Mr.. Harding's reelection for a term
of six years, beginning in March,
1925, but those who know Mr.. Har-
ding best say that if federal amend
laent providing for a single six-year
term were to be added to the con-
stitution, he would consider himself
bound by it, and would decline to
be a candidate for denomination.
Diverse Views
There are diverse views in the ad.
ministration circle as to the single
term. Attorney General Daugherty
is said to be one of those who thinks
the present system is all right.
Others, however, believe that the
desire for reelection gets into the
minds of American presidents and
frequently makes them less positive
in their decisions during the first
term. Some argue, too, that a res
ident who takes a firm attitude is
frequently threatened with political
reprisals if he is a candidate for re-
election whereas, if there were a
single trem, he would be inclined to
act more independently and fearless
ly.
Few federal amendments are
adopted unless there is behind them
active organizations. The merits or
dement's of the present scheme have
not been agitating the public very
much and no particular organiza-
ton has been clamoring for a
change in presidential tenure.
The last formal action taken by
a national body was that which the
national convention of the Dem
ocratic party took at Baltimore in
1912, more or less at the behest of
William Jennings Bryan. Woodrow
Wilson never felt himself bound by
that plank but his viewpoint was
that it was none Of his business, but
the affair of the Democratic party
and if the party decided to change
its mind at future convention it
could do SO. History showed that
the Democrats unanimously re.
versed themselves by nominating
Mr.. Wilson four years later at the
st. Louis convention.
Just after the election Of 1912 the
platform plank did come up for dis
cussion in congress when a resolu.
ton similar to that of Representa-
tive Wood, Indiana, was introduced
and seriously considered by com
mittee of the house of representa-
tives. Mr.. Wilson expressed him
self in long letter to A. Mitchell
Palmer, then chairman of the Dem
ocratic caucus.
The Cox Secret Out
Mr.. Wilson was against change
in the present system. He argued
that four years was sometimes toe
long for man who had proved un.
able to fulfill the tasks assigned to
him by the electorate and four years
often was too short for a president
who had laid out a constructive
program and was doing his job eff
fieiently. He contended that the
American people could be trusted to
take care or the question through
the processes of public opinion, BIT
that if a limitation was considered
necessary he believed two terms
were sufficient for any man.
An interesting side light on the
question which never has been pub
lished but which is curiously re
lated to the new proposal occurred
when Governor Cox, of Ohio, was
writing his speech Of acceptance OF
the Democratic nomination for the
presidency. His impulse was to in
clude a public promise that if elect
ed he would pledge himself to g
single term. Some Of his politica
friends advised against the move
They said it might be considered ba6
taste to make such a statement