the subject grave consideration. The points
presented by the Herald are:—
I. Less frequent elections would less fre
quently subject the country to the stagnation
of the business interests which now occurs.
The loss resulting from this, as estimated by
Chauncey M. Depew, is 5500,000,000, or one
tenth of the estimated business of the country
during the four months of the Presidential
campaign. This suspension of industries is
occasioned by the misgivings which take hold
of men's minds in view of the uncertainty of
the result of the election. •
2, The present occurrence of elections is just
frequent enough to foster a host of corrupt
partisan politicians;' they need never want for
occupation.
3. A President for reasons of personal am
bition and partisan interest is at present re
strained from inaugurating in the latter part,
say one or two years, of his term any new
policy which his experience may have taught
or dictated to him, because he or his party
must in the next election stand responsible in
the eyes of the people for a policy, perhaps
good in itself, yet looked upon unfavorably
because not yet completely operative or fully
understood. Thus our President is left free
and unbiased to act only during two or three
years, which period ought to be valuable as
experience for the administration to follow.
The second and third points must have pre
sented themselves to the framers of the con
stitution; the first, perhaps, did not, since they
can hardly be imagined to have calculated for
industry five-hundred-fold greater than it then
was, and almost proportionately excelling in
organization. In answer to this first point,
however, it may be seriously said that the dis
turbance in business does not work permanent
harm. Do not industries again spring forward
with renewed vigor? It appears to us that
this temporary check has the same salutary
result which accrues to pasture when the gra
zier burns his meadows in the spring time.
THE FREE LANCE.
Moreover, if the business interests of the
country are so sensitive they may all the more
safely be used for the determination or obser
vation of our condition, and why not appeal to
these interests often for this purpose; there will
be the less chance to go far wrong. In answer
to the second objection it may be said as sug
gested by the Herald, that it is more than
counterbalanced by the popular interest in
politics and government which is now kept
alive. Further, local elections furnish the most
of the political vultures' prey at any rate. As
an argument against the third objection, it is
replied that while a longer term would give an
administration a better chance and more en
couragement to perfect salutary measures, yet
it would also give to it a chance to do so more
entirely at its own pleasure, and by taking
away from the people the opportunity of rebuk
ing measures would introduce a new source
of disturbance, perhaps an element of danger.
Moreover, as suggested by the Herald, unless
the veto power was modified the President
could for a long time obstruct desired or needed
legislation. Nor would a President, notwith
standing a lengthened term cease to cater dur
ing the later years of such term for the reelection
of his party's candidate, though he himself
were forbidden a second term. This question is
well worthy consideration, but it has two sides.
WHILE our extensive improvements are
going on, the interest in behalf of the
student • which is usually shown, seems to be
somewhat lessened. The library, which should
be open to students for at least one-half the
clay, from necessity or otherwise is kept closed
except for two short periods during the clay.
Thus books other than text-books are left to
sleep undisturbed. They cannot benefit the
student without his having access to them.
This may all be remedied when we once settle
down to enjoy our improvements. It is the
earnest hope of the students that it will be
remedied.