The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-11-13

THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE.

| When Col Polk was nominated, the Whigs
laughed at the very idea OF his beating Mr., Clay
iwbo was already elected, aud merely waited Tor ths
Storm" of election 10 carry out the wishes Of the
people ia his favor. II turns oui, that Mr. Clay
has had the form, but Col Polk has had all the sub
stance Of the election. We publish, from the New
York Commercial Advertiser, the following state
ment of the mode and manner OF casting the Pres-
dental vote. We give IL, not for the benefit OF ouI
Wing friends who already understand all the forms,
but 10 crafty the curiosity OF our Democratic breth
rem, who always prefer substance to forms" and
take TO eount their chickens before they
are hatched," Or IN other words TO provide for the
installation of President before the people have de-
cded 10 elect him. Col. Polk is now President Elect
by the contests ion OF the Wings themselves, and we
may safely inform readers to the process, by
which "Jimmy Polk, plain citizen of Tennessee
is TO be transplanted into the White House. as our
firm and able President, $50 here goes";
'The Electors for the several States will meet on
the first Wednesday in December next at places de-
signated In their respective States by the Legsau re
and proceed TO ballot on separate tickets for President
and President One at least OF the persons voted for
must be resident of State other than that in which
the Electors reside. The Electors required to make
and sign three certificates, each stating the number
of given by them, and on two distinct lists the
number Of votes for President aud Vice President
and for whom cast Each certificate is to be sealed
and endorsed, that it contains the vote Of such a
State for President and Vice President and annexed
to il certified list of the Electors of the State All
are be addressed to the President of the Senate
''ODe of these certificates is to be carried to its
destination by person appointed by the Electors, or
a ajority OF them in writing, for which service he
is to be allowed 25 cents per mile for his expenses
going and returning and is bound TO deliver his
charge at the seat of Government on the first We'd
| nesday in January ensuing. The second Of these
certificates is despatched forthwith by mail, and the
third deposited with the district Judge of the district
where the Electors assembled. In of the failure
to receive either certificate by the first Wednesday
in January il is the duty of the u. S. Secretary OF
State to send special messenger for the left in
the custody of the Judge, as above mentioned.
"On the first Wednesday of February, Congress
proceeds to ascertain officially the result of the cleo
ton. Teers are previously appointed, one by the
Senate and two by the House. AT the hour specified
for the purpose the Senate repair 10 the Hall of the
House, their clerk bearing the certificates received
from the several Electoral Colleges of the States
The President OF the Senate takes the CHAR and az
announcing the purpose of the joint meeting, pro-
ceeds TO break the seals of the envelopes commence
ing with Maine, and proceeding in geographical
order, handing each the teers, without read
Ing.
1.-THE subscription and contents of each are read by
one of the tellers The teles then count the votes,
and make duplicate lists thereof, which handed
to the presiding officer, who announces the result and
declares the persons, If any, who have received the
majority of all the votes given by the electors to be
chosen President and Vice President of the United
States. The Senate then withdraw, their chief
clerk bearing with him the votes of the electors, and
Of the lists made by the teers to deposlte it in
the archives Of the body The President elect is then
waited on by joint committee OF the two Houses,
and the Vice President elect by the President of the
Senate, and notified Of their election.
SIN case that person receives majority of the
electoral votes for President the House of Repre-
senatives Immediately proceed to the choice by bal
lot from the persons mot exceeding three) who have
received the highest number of votes. The vote in
such case isby States each State being allowed one
vote only, majority Of the Representatives of said
State present deciding for whom that vote shall be
cast. quorum for the choice of President consists
OF a member or members from wo-thirds Of the
States, and majority Of all the States is necessary
for a choice II President is not chosen by the Alto
Of March, the duties devolve the Vice President,
President Of the Senate Speaker of the House OF
Represent atves, as is provided in the OF yacan
ces by death, resignation, &c.
ain case of the failure TO elect Vice President
the choice is made by the Senate from the two high
est on the list of candidates Twothrds of the
whole number Of Senators is quorum for the pur-
pose, and majority OF the whole number is neces-
sary for choice.
"The President elect is Daugurated on the 4th OF
March, the oath of Office being administered TO him
by the Chief Justice Of the United States To the
Vice President the oath is administered by Presi-
dent pro tepore of the Senate chosen for the
sion"