would be free to consider calmly and dispassionately the needs of the whole country. His selections to high office would be made regardless of the effect they might have upon the political future of statesmen and politicians.

I recall a story of President Lincoln. It appears that in the early days of the Civil War, when the northern armies were sorely pressed and bad news was reaching the White House, that the President, when seen by an intimate friend visiting him, was walking up and down his study, careworn and greatly disturbed. The friend said, "I wish I could relieve you of your burdens, Mr. President. The news we are getting from the northern armies is discouraging." The President turned and answered, "I am not now thinking of the northern armies. I am wondering whom I will appoint as postmaster at Shelbyville, Ky.”

In this story there is illustrated the demands made upon a President of the United States at a time when personalities and the success of this or that individual in the political field should be subservient to the welfare of all.

During my term in the White House a striking incident occurred at one of the most critical stages of the World War, when a bitter controversy arose over the question of who should be appointed postmaster of a small city in northern Ohio. It was at a time when David Lloyd-George was crying out that the World War was a struggle between Von Hindenburg and Wilson. Various factions of the Democratic Party were interested in the selection of a particular man for the northern Ohio post. Many conferences were held. The Postmaster General had refused to recommend for the place the man chosen by the Representative from that district. The Senators from the State were at odds, and thus the controversy, in its finality, with all the soreness and bitterness that had been engendered, had to be passed on to the President for a decision. Feelings must not be hurt in this matter. And thus we found the President at a time when critical war matters pressed upon him compelled to give his time and energy and his vitality to this matter of secondary importance.

It is reported in the daily press that efforts will be made to relieve the Presidency through congressional action by making it unnecessary for him to sign various commissions, grants of public lands, etc. In my opinion, this attempt to relieve the President would be performing but a minor operation where a major one is necessary.

My plea, therefore, is to amend the Constitution so as to provide for a single term of either four or six years. This would leave the President free to carry out his responsibilities to the Nation as a whole and would relieve him of all worries and anxieties incident to a campaign for a second term.

Ex-President Taft, in his book The Presidency, page 4, said:

I am strongly inclined to the view that it would have been a wiser provision, as it was at one time voted in the convention, to make the term of the President seven years and render him ineligible thereafter. Such a change would give to the Executive greater courage and independence in the discharge of his duties.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,
DIVISION OF BIBLIOGRAPHY.

LIST OF REFERENCES ON PRESIDENTIAL TERMS

BIBLIOGRAPHIES

(1) Painter, Estella E., comp.: Selected articles on the six-year presidential term. Minneapolis, The H. W. Wilson Company, 1913. 47 p. (The abridged debaters' handbook series.) Bibliography: p. 5-8. JK550.P3.

(2) Phelps, E. M.: Single six-year term for President: Argument in brief. Independent, Aug. 7, 1913, v. 75: 323-325. AP2.153, v. 75. References for and against.

(3) Texas: University. Department of extension. Public discussion and information division. Intercollegiate debates and bibliographies on a literacy test for immigrants and a six-year presidential term. [Austin, Tex.] The University [1914] 60 p. (Bulletin of the University of Texas. No. 351. Extension ser. No. 57. Aug. 5, 1914.) JV6508.E3T4.

BOOKS

(4) Ames, Herman V.: The proposed amendments to the Constitution of the United States during the first century of its history. Washington, Govt. print. off., 1897. 442 p. (American Historical Association. Annual report, 1896. Washington, 1897, v. 2.) “ Term of President and Vice President"; E. 172.A60, 1896, v. 2, p. 123-128. Z6456.A513.

(5) An argument for a third presidential term. By a Pennsylvanian. [n. p., 1874.] 8 p. JK550.T15. Advocating a third term for President Grant.

66

(6) Badeau, Adam: Grant in peace. From Appomattox to Mount McGregor. A personal memoir. Hartford, S. S. Scranton & Co., 1887. 591 p. The third term": Chap. XXXVI. E672.B131.

April 10, 1920.

(7) Beard, Charles A.: American government and politics. New and rev. ed. New York, The Macmillan Company, 1914. 788 p. Third-term doctrine: p. 184. JK271.B5. 1914.

*

(8) Bishop, Joseph B.: Presidential nominations and elections; a history of American conventions, national campaigns, inaugurations, campaign caricature. New York, C. Scribner's Sons, 1916. 237 p. "A portion of the material in this volume appeared in a book published by me in 1904, entitled 'Our political drama.' To it has been added sufficient new matter to present a complete review down to the present time." "The third-term convention": p. 77-88. JK2261.B6. (9) Black, Jeremiah S.: Essays and speeches. New York, D. Appleton and Company, 1885. 621 p. E415.6.B62. "The third term: reasons against it": p. 366-389.

*

(10) Bryce, James: The American commonwealth. New ed. New York, The Macmillan Company, 1910. 2 v. JK246.B9. 1910. Reeligibility of the President: v. 1, p. 45-46.

(11) Chancellor, William E.: Our Presidents and their office: including parallel lives of the Presidents of the people of the United States and of several contemporaries, and a history of the presidency. New York, The Neale Publishing Company, 1912. 603 p. Bibliography: p. 591-593. JK511.C4. See index under Presidential term; third term.

(12) Cleveland, Grover, Pres. U. S.: The writings and speeches of Grover Cleveland; selected and ed., with an introduction, by George F. Parker. New York, Cassell Publishing Company [1892] 571 p. E696.C61. E661.C63, "When we consider the patronage of this great office, the allurements of power we recognize in the eligibility of the President for reelection a most serious danger to that calm, deliberate, and intelligent political action which must characterize a government by the people": p. 11.

(13) Donnan, William G.: Reeligibility of the President. Speech * in the House of Representatives, March 16, 1872. [Washington, printed at the Congressional Globe Office, 1872.] 8 p. On third term. E672.D68.

(14) Elliot, Jonathan, ed.: The debates in the several State conventions on the adoption of the Federal Constitution. Washington, printed by and for the editor, 1836-45. 5 v. Includes discussion on the presidential term. Consult the indexes of the several volumes. JK141. 1836.

(15) The Federalist: The Federalist, a commentary on the Constitution of the United States, being a collection of essays written in support of the Constitution agreed upon September 17, 1787, by the Federal convention, reprinted from the original text of Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison; ed. by Henry C. Lodge New York and London, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1902. 586 p. JK154. 1902. The term of the President and eligibility for reelection: p. 448-455.

*

*

(16) Finley, John H., and John F. Sanderson: The American Executive and Executive methods. New York, The Century Co., 1908. 352 p. (The American State series.) Brief mention of term of office: p. 258. JK516.F5.

(17) Ford, Paul L., ed.: Pamphlets on the Constitution of the United States, published during its discussion by the people, 1787-1788. Brooklyn, 1888. 451 p. Brief remarks by Alexander Contee Hanson on the presidential term: p. 231. JK171.F71.

(18) Garner, James W.: Government in the United States, National, State, and local. New York, American Book Company [1919]. 416 p. "The presidential term": p. 275-276. JK274.G3. 1919.

(19) Guitteau, William B.: Government and politics in the United States; problems in American democracy. [Rev. ed.] Boston. Houghton, Mifflin Company [1918]. 484 p. JK274.G85. 1918. "The original preference of the Constitutional Convention was for a single term of seven years, but this was finally changed to a term of four years, with no restriction as to reeligibility": p. 179.

(In

(20) Hamilton, Alexander: [Duration of presidential term discussed.] his Works, edited by Henry C. Lodge [Federal ed.]. vol. 12. New York, 1904. p. 208-211.) E 302.H24, v. 12.

(21) Harrison, Benjamin, President, United States: This country of ours. New York, C. Scribner's Sons, 1897. 360 p. JK424.H3. Presidential term: p. 71-73. Mentions seven-year term.

(22) Hart, Albert B.: Actual government as applied under American conditions. 4th ed., rev. New York, Longmans, Green & Co., 1919. 599 p. (American citizen series, ed. by A. B. Hart.) The term of the President: p. 265–266. JK421.H3. 1919.

(23)

Third term. (In Cyclopedia of American Government, v. 3. New York, 1914. p. 535–536.) JK9.C9, v. 3.

(24) Haynes, Frederick E.: Third-party movements since the Civil War, with special reference to Iowa; a study in social politics. Iowa City, Iowa, The State Historical Society of Iowa [1916], 254 p. "One term for President": pp. 100, 110, and 349. JK2261.H35.

*

(25) Hillhouse, James: Propositions for amending the Constitution of the United States, submitted to the Senate on the twelfth day of April, 1808, with his explanatory remarks. [Washington, 1808.] 52 p. JK170. 1808. (26) - Propositions for amending the Constitution of the United States, providing for the election of President and Vice President, and guarding against the undue exercise of executive influence, patronage, and power. Washington, printed by Gales & Seaton, 1830. 40 p.

A revision of his proposition for amending the Constitution

1808.

The President to be appointed and to hold office for one year. JK170. 1830. (27) Hunt, Gaillard: The President of the United States. [Madison, 1915] p. 75-98. (The State historical society of Wisconsin, separate no. 165.) "From the proceedings of the society for 1915." Touches upon the term of the President. JK515. H85.

(28) Jefferson, Thomas, President of the United Thomas Jefferson; collected and ed. by Paul L. Ford Putnam's sons, 1892-99. 10 v. E302.J466, v. 5.

*

States: The writings of * New York, G. P.

Remarks on reeligibility of the President, in letter to William Stevens Smith: v. 5, p. 3; in letter to George Washington; v. 5, p. 8; in letter to Edward Carrington; v. 5, p. 20.

(29)

-: The writings of Thomas Jefferson.

Maury, 1853-54. 9 v. E302.J464, v. 2..

Washington, Taylor &

Remarks on reeligibility of the President in letter to A. Donald; v. 2, p. 355. (30) Lockwood, Henry C.: The abolition of the presidency. New York, R. Worthington, 1884. 331 p.

"Works of reference": p. 329–331.

"Term of office": p. 34-43. JK516.L8.

(31) McClure, Alexander K.: Our Presidents and how we make them. New York and London, Harper & brothers, 1900. 417 p.

Facts relating to the tenure of office of various Presidents: p. 397-400. JK524.M22.

(32) McKee, Thomas H.: The national conventions and platforms of all political parties, 1789 to 1905. 6th ed., rev. and enl. Baltimore, The Friedenwald Company, 1906. 418 p.

Democratic platform, election of 1896, "Third-term resolution: We declare it to be the unwritten law of this republic, established by custom and usage of 100 years, and sanctioned by the examples of the greatest and wisest of those who founded and have maintained our Government, that no man should be eligible for a third term of the presidential office ": p. 297. JK2255.M2. 1906.

(33) McMaster, John B.: With the fathers; studies in the history of the United States. New York, D. Appleton and company, 1896. 334 p. "The third term": p. 55-70.

E73.M16.

(34) Madison, James, President of the United States. The papers of James Madison. Washington, Langtree & O'Sullivan. 1840. 3 v. JK111.M2.

Reeligibility discussed: p. 733, 742, 762, 766, 779, 860, 865, 887, 888, 891, 1124, 1128, 1141, 1145, 1189, 1198, 1205, 1209, 1210, 1223, 1236, 1417, 1420, 1486, 1498, 1507, 1552, 1614.

(35) Miller, Samuel F: Lectures on the Constitution of the United States. New York and Albany, Banks and brothers, 1893. 765 p. Presidential term: p. 151–152. JK241.M66.

(36) Montgomery, Henry.

The life of Major General William H. Harrison.

2d ed. New York, C. M. Saxton, Barker & Co.; San Francisco, H. H. Bancroft & Co., 1860. 465 p. E392.M79.

Remarks on reeligibility of the same individual to a second term of the Presidency: p. 340-341.

(37) Munro, William B. The Government of the United States, National, State, and local. New York, The Macmillan Company, 1919. 648 p. "The principle that no President should hold office for more than two terms has become a strong tradition, although this was far from being the intention of those who framed the Constitution": p. 66. JK274.M9.

(38) Ogg, Frederic A. and Charles A. Beard. National governments and the World War. New York, The MacMillan Company, 1919. 603 p.

Brief comment on the presidential term: p. 95-96. JF51.06.

(39) Parsons, Geoffrey. The land of fair play; how America is governed. New York, C. Scribner's Sons, 1919. 189 p.

Brief comment on presidential term: p. 39.

JK271.P3.

(40) Polen, George P. Shall our Presidents be elected for eight years? New York, F. Schmidt, jr., 1898. 32 p. JK550.P7.

(41) Poley, Arthur P. The Federal systems of the United States and the British Empire; their origin, nature, and development. London. Sir I. Pitman & Sons, 1913. 453 p. JK295.P6.

"Washington was chosen for a second term, but refused a nomination for a third term; and this precedent having been established, since his time no President has held office for three terms ": p. 67.

(42) Ray, Perley O.: An introduction to political parties and practical politics. New York, C. Scribner's Sons, 1917, 628 p. JK2265.R 2, 1917. Democratic platform, 1912. Presidential term: "We favor a 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 convention to this principle": p. 27.

(43) Reed, Thomas H.: Form and functions of American government. Yonkers-on-Hudson, N. Y., World Book Company, 1916. 549 p. JK274.R36. "The presidential term": p. 238-239.

(44) -: Government for the people.

New York, B. W. Huebsch, 1915.

265 p. See chapter 14, "What is the matter with the presidency?" Touches upon presidential term. JK271.R35.

(45) Schouler, James: Constitutional studies, State and Federal. New York, Dodd, Mead and Company, 1897. 332 p. JK34.S4. "The presidential term itself is limited to four years, and midway comes the opportunity to strengthen, weaken, or secure him in his policy. Hamilton in 1787 would have preferred the tenure of life or good behavior; Jefferson, a seven years' term, once and for all; but the Constitution as framed fixed the moderate term of four years and put no restraint upon reeligibility": p. 157-158.

(46) Sparks, Edwin E. National development, 1877-1885. New York and London, Harper & brothers, 1907. 378 p. (The American nation; a history

170. E178.A54 vol. 23.

(47) Stanwood, Edward.

A history of the presidency. Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin company [1916] 2 v. See index vol. 2 under President-term. JK511.S7. 1916.

(48) Stickles, Arndt M. Elements of government; political institutions, local and national, in the United States. New York, American book company [1914] 416 p. Presidential term: p. 168. JK274.S8.

(49) Story, Joseph. Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States; with a preliminary review of the constitutional history of the Colonies and States before the adoption of the Constitution. 5th ed., by Melville M. Bigelow Boston, Little, Brown and company, 1891. 2 v. Consult index vol. 2, under Executive. JK211.S7.

(50) Sumner, Charles: Speech in the Senate on one term for President, Dec. 21, 1871. Congressional Globe, 42d Cong., 2d sess., pt. 1, p. 259–260. J11.G5, pt. 1.

(51) Taft, William H., President United States: Ethics in service Addresses delivered in the Page lecture series, 1914, before the senior class of Sheffield scientific school, Yale University. New Haven, Yale University Press, 1915. 101 p. JK271.T3.

Brief mention of presidential term: p. 38. (52)

The presidency, its duties, its powers, its opportunities, and its limitations; three lectures. New York, C. Scribner's Sons, 1916. 145 p. (University of Virginia, Barbour-Page Foundation.)

"I am strongly inclined to the view that it would have been a wiser provision, as it was at one time voted in the convention, to make the term of the President seven years and render him ineligible thereafter": p. 4. JK516.T35.

(53) Thorpe, Francis N.: The constitutional history of the United States. Chicago, Callaghan & Company, 1901. 3 v.

See index v. 3 under presidential term.
Seven-year term: v. 1, p. 323. JK31T6.

(54) United States Congress, House: Debate on proposed amendment to the Constitution that "no person who shall have been elected President of the United States shall be again eligible to that office." Dec. 18, 1828, Feb. 6, 1829. (In U. S. Congress, Register of Debates in Congress, 20th Cong., 2d sess. Washington, 1830, v. 5, p. 119-125, 320-321.) J11.D5. 1828-29, v. 5.

(55) : Debate on proposed amendment to the Constitution that "The President and Vice President shall hold their offices during the period of six years, and no person who shall have been elected and served as President shall be again elected to that office." Feb. 19, 1829. (In U. S. Congress, Register of Debates in Congress, 20th Cong., 2d sess. Washington, 1830, v. 5, p. 361-369.) J11.D5, 1828-29, v. 5. (56)

Committee on the Judiciary: Six-year presidential term * * * Report. (To accompany H. J. Res. 325.) [Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1912.] 11 p. 62d Cong., 2d sess. House Rept. 885.) Appendix: North American Review, April, 1912. By George Harvey. The unwritten law and the "great emergency.' p. 2-11. JK550.A5, 1912a. (57)

and Representatives *

Terms of President, Vice President, Senators, Report. (To accompany H. J. Res. 204.) [Wash(62d Cong., 2d sess., House Rept. 239.)

ington, Govt. Print. Off., 1912.] 25 p. JK550.A5, 1912.

(58) United States Congress, House: Select committee on amendments to the Constitution. Report from the minority of the committee appointed on the 21st of March, 1842, and to which was referred certain propositions of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, Aug. 30, 1842. [Washington, 1842.] 24 p. (27th Cong., 2d sess., House Rept. 1104.) Serial No. 411. Favors a single presidential term. (59)

Select committee relating to the amendment of the Constitution: Report in relation to the election of President and Vice President. Jan. 31, 1835. Washington, 1835. 1 p. (23d Cong., 2d sess. House Rept. 69.) Serial No. 276. (60) Constitutional Convention: The records of the Federal convention of 1787, ed. by Max Farrand * New Haven, Yale University Press, 1911. 3 v. JK141, 1911. For discussion of presidential term see Index by clauses, Article II: v. 3, p. 642. Seven-year term, v. 1, pp. 62-69. (61) President: A compilation of the messages and papers of the Presidents, 1789-1897. Published by authority of Congress, by James D. Rich