SECTION I.—ELECTION AND SERVICE.
Clause 1.—Vestment of Power.
The executive power shall be vested in a president of the United States of America.[1] He shall hold his office during the term of four years,[2] and together with the vice-president,[3] chosen for the same term, shall be elected as follows:
[1] This sentence answers the question, "How many persons shall constitute the executive?" and gives the official title thereof.
The executive authority is vested in one person for two chief reasons: To secure energy in execution, and to impose upon the executive a sense of responsibility. If the executive power were vested in a number of persons, the differences and jealousies sure to arise, and the absence of responsibility, would result in a feeble administration, which is but another name for a bad administration.
[2] The term first reported by the committee of the whole was seven years, with the provision forbidding re-election. Some of the delegates were in favor of annual elections, while others thought that the executive should be elected for life or good behavior. And other terms, varying from two to ten years, had their advocates. After much discussion, the term of four years was agreed upon as a compromise, and no limitation was put upon the number of terms for which a person might be elected.
In another place it is made the duty of the president to recommended to congress such measures as he deems necessary for the good of the country. He should, therefore, have a term long enough to fairly test his "policy" and to stimulate him to personal firmness in the execution of his duties, yet not so long as to free him from a sense of responsibility. It was thought that a term of four years would cover both of the conditions mentioned.
[3] The purpose of having a vice-president is to provide a successor for the president in case of his disability or death.