OCR Text |
Show USE FOR EX-PRESIDENTS. Colonel Bryan urges as a good use for former Presidents of the- United Slates, that thoy should bo given the privilege of debate in both houses of Congress as they sec fit. That is, they should occupy in each house practically tho same position Ihat .Delegates from Territories have always occupied in the Bouse. This would seem to be a lowering lower-ing of the dignity of the Presidential office to about (he minimum, and il. would bo about as poor a use as could bo made of cx-Prosidcnts. Besides, Be-sides, Iho choking troublo in Congress is too much debate already, and too little action. But it is clear that tho experience of former Presidents of tho Uuitcd Slates ought not to bo lost to the country. It ought to bo a valuable asset to its public life. How can il bo obtained? The means aro not difficult diffi-cult to suggest. A likeness, is found in Japan for the position Ihat former Presidents might occupy hero in (he creation thero of the bod' of public men known as tho "Elder Slalcsinen." whoso advico is sought at every crisis. Similarly in this couutry, tho ex-T'rcsidcals ex-T'rcsidcals might be a conuseling body, recognized b- tho law as .such, with anitablo salaries attached. Thoy would havo their residence in Washington, Wash-ington, would all end. I he Cabinet meetings meet-ings on invitation or otherwise, and would1 bo at hand at all times to explain ex-plain the practical details of questions Ihat they may havo had to do with, aud to steady tho course of tho ship of slate whenever any serious difficulty diffi-culty arose. Tho experience and ability of tho ox-Presidents ought surely to bo available avail-able at all times for tho benefit of the public; and by creating them into a bodj- of National counselors, that experience ex-perience and ability would be .'it all times at tho public service. Tt is an idea Hial is entirely feasible, and that could without much difficulty bo enacted, en-acted, into law. |