The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-04-06
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION

somewhat curious question has been
raised in regard to the succession In case Mr..
Johnson should be deposed BY impeac hment.
It Is to this effect: that neither Senator Wade,
as acting Vice President, nor Mr.. Speaker
Colfax, could succeed to the Presidency. This
notion Is based upon the ground that the
Senate decided, In the Blount impeachment
case, that Senator was not an officer Of the
United States. The Constitution says that In
case of removal, death, resignation, or In
ability, both of the President and Vice Presi-
dent, Congress shall declare what officer shall
act as President, &c. 1t 10 claimed that MI
Wade is only Senator from Ohio, and, though
acting as President pro TEN. OF the Senate, is
not, on account Of the decision above quoted,
In the Blount case, an officer Of the United
states, and therefore Is not eligible and can.
not succeed to the Presidency.
Some days ago Mr.. Churchill introduced a
bill, which 10 now before the House of Rep
resentatives, that is intended to repeal the law
ofl792, and provides that in case Of the death,
removal, resignation, or inability Of the Pres
ident and Vice President, the President of the
senate pro fsmpore, and In case there shall
De no President of the Senate, then the
speaker OF the House, and in case there
snail be no Speaker OF the House. then the
Chiet Justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States, shall for the time being act
as President of the United States until the
disability be removed or n President shall be
elected This bill, moreover, provides for the
special election of President and Vice Presi-
dent whenever both of these offices may be.
come vacant more than eighteen months before
the expiration Of the term for which the last
incumbents were elected. This bill was re-
TERED to the Committee on the Judiciary and
In consequence Of pending questions which
may arise is attracting some attention
Under the present political situation, II is
perhaps to be expected that many new ques-
tions will arise-some important and many
frivolous and unimportant-and 1t strikes us
that the one we are now considering may be
easily disposed of within the purview Of the
Constitution. and that, too, without any add.
tional legislation.
Who Is an officer of the United States within
the meaning of the Constitution and the laws
both the President, the Vice President, and
sueh persons as the President himself NAY
commission are officers Of the United States
rms Will not be doubted. The Constitution
also says that the House of Representative,
snail choose their Speaker and other officers, "
ana the same is true in reference to the Senate
II .he PRESIDENT pro tempore Of the Senate Is
not an officer Of the United States, what is he
He is certainly as much so as the Speaker OF
the House, and that, too, within the meaning
OF the Constitution and the laws; and Con
sress therefore may designate him for the sue.
eessor should the vacancy in any event b,
made, all quibbling to the contrary notwith
standing.
II seems to US therefore that the way Is plair
under the Constitution, and that no furthe,
legislation is needed to supply the vacancy
should one occur