A SINGLE TERM FOR THE PRESIDENT, AND CHOICE BY DIRECT VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.
Remarks in the Senate, on an Amendment of the National Constitution, February 11, 1867.
The Senate had under consideration an Amendment to the National Constitution, reported by the Judiciary Committee, as follows:—
“No person elected President or Vice-President, who has once served as President, shall afterward be eligible to either office.”
Mr. Fessenden, of Maine, thought that the words “who has once served as President” should be struck out. Mr. Williams, of Oregon, suggested: “No person who has once served as President shall afterward be eligible to either office.” Mr. Poland, of Vermont, moved, as a substitute, the following:—
“The President and Vice-President of the United States shall hereafter be chosen for the term of six years; and no person elected President or Vice-President, who has once served as President, shall afterward be eligible to either office.”
Mr. Sumner said:—