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Letter to Editor
February 22, 1897
The Evening Times
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Letter argues against denying Commissioner Ross a third term due to presidential third-term prejudice, praises his qualities, and notes District citizens' lack of voting rights preventing his election. References Cleveland, Sherman, Morrill.
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OCR Quality
98%
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Full Text
The Third-Term Notion.
To the Editor of The Times:
It is said that President Cleveland's action in not nominating Commissioner Ross to succeed himself was governed by the general prejudice that prevails in respect to an official third term. It is surprising to hear this explanation advanced in connection with a District incumbency, as the third term question is agitated solely in connection with the position occupied by Mr. Cleveland, and any attempt to couple it with any other official incumbency is utterly absurd.
Why is Commissioner Ross any more ineligible to continue to serve the District so long as its citizens desire him to, Senator Sherman, the venerable Senator Morrill and numberless other men, who in Congressional, consular, state and diplomatic positions are retained continuously therein, not by any specified number of terms, but as long as the people whom they serve have confidence in them?
If the citizens of this District enjoyed the rights of suffrage, Commissioner Ross would be elected to succeed himself over all other candidates, as no other man has ever held a position of public trust among our people who has more endeared himself to the whole community than he. It is rare to find in an executive officer the winning traits of personal character that is possessed by Mr. Ross, whose universally admitted ability for the position he has so ably filled is made more valuable because of the knowledge he has already acquired of the District's needs and affairs, and which a new appointee would have to learn.
CITIZEN WHO CAN'T VOTE
To the Editor of The Times:
It is said that President Cleveland's action in not nominating Commissioner Ross to succeed himself was governed by the general prejudice that prevails in respect to an official third term. It is surprising to hear this explanation advanced in connection with a District incumbency, as the third term question is agitated solely in connection with the position occupied by Mr. Cleveland, and any attempt to couple it with any other official incumbency is utterly absurd.
Why is Commissioner Ross any more ineligible to continue to serve the District so long as its citizens desire him to, Senator Sherman, the venerable Senator Morrill and numberless other men, who in Congressional, consular, state and diplomatic positions are retained continuously therein, not by any specified number of terms, but as long as the people whom they serve have confidence in them?
If the citizens of this District enjoyed the rights of suffrage, Commissioner Ross would be elected to succeed himself over all other candidates, as no other man has ever held a position of public trust among our people who has more endeared himself to the whole community than he. It is rare to find in an executive officer the winning traits of personal character that is possessed by Mr. Ross, whose universally admitted ability for the position he has so ably filled is made more valuable because of the knowledge he has already acquired of the District's needs and affairs, and which a new appointee would have to learn.
CITIZEN WHO CAN'T VOTE
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Constitutional Rights
What keywords are associated?
Third Term
Commissioner Ross
District Incumbency
Suffrage Denial
Cleveland Administration
Long Service Officials
What entities or persons were involved?
Citizen Who Can't Vote
To The Editor Of The Times
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Citizen Who Can't Vote
Recipient
To The Editor Of The Times
Main Argument
the application of third-term prejudice to commissioner ross's reappointment is absurd, as it applies only to the presidency; ross should continue serving the district as long as citizens desire, given his proven abilities and popularity, especially since district residents lack suffrage.
Notable Details
References President Cleveland's Decision
Mentions Senator Sherman And Senator Morrill As Examples Of Long Serving Officials
Highlights Ross's Personal Character And Knowledge Of District Needs