National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-05
Vice Presidency Prcccden,-.

Iron the Philadelphia North Amcricanl
Whatever Mr.. Wilson's malady maybe, and
whatever lis termination, the recent access Of
some unfayorablc symptoms has awakened
little speculation about the consequences,
should the worst alternative cnsuc; spccula-
ton that Is natural, and would demand prac-
teal solution In the event contemplated. The
variety Of opinions expressed show that our
national history has not been carefully read,
certainly not as carefully considered, rs II
should have bccn. The country has not had
n Vice President for about twenty In the last
eighty-fuur years; has got along after u fash
Ion, notwithstanding the privauon, and prob
ably would do 80 again under the circum
stances. AT oil events nothing could be done
toward filing the vacancy until the election
three years hence. The instances referred to
arc In proof.
MIR. Clinton died In Office as Vice President
| In 1919, almost yrW before the close Of his
| term; Mr.. Gerry died In 1914, more than two
years before his term expired; Mr.. Calhoun
resigned In the winter Of 1882, several months
before; John Tyler vacated the Vice Prcsi-
dcncy by Harrisons death month after he
had received 1t. Mr.. Fillmore in the same
| way left tho same post, sixteen months after
he was sworn In, by Taylo!'s death; Mr..
| King died within two months Of his inaugu-
ration, and Andrew johnson became Pres-
dent through Lincoln's murder In lcss than
six weeks from the beginning Of the lattors
second term. In no one Of oil these cases
| was anything done to supply the vacancy.
| The Senate on each occasion elected n Prcsi-
dent pro teInporc; and those who remember
| the occrrrclccs following Llncon's murder
| and Johnson's elevation will recall the ni-
merous debates that considered the contin-
gcncy of the latter's death.
1t was then held that the President pro teT-
pore Of the Senate would be President of the
United States until new election; and that
In event OF his death the Speaker of the
House would succeed to the Chief Mag.stracy.
1t was generally agreed that the death Of the
President and Vice President would call for
an cxtraordi nary election but that no such
election can be had unless both of these OIL
clals die-unlcss both offices are vacated. The
Constitution contcmplatcs only the removal
of both when providing for the election Of a
President In this contingency; the President
being supplied by the Vice President other
wise, and the Vice Presidency left vacant I'M.
| Ill the following election, save In so far as
some Of Its duties are dcvolvcd upon the
President Of the Senate pro temporc.
While we trust that Mr.. Wilson's speedy
recovery and restoration will render the con-
sideration Of this question needless for the
existing term, the doubts that have arisen
aud the conflicting opinions that have been
advanced would seem to justify an authori.
tative expression on the single point of elect
ing Vice President In connection with a
President, should the lapse Of both offices
render general election necessary. Such q
contingency has never occurred, but It has
| several times, and for some years, on more
than solitary occasion, depended upon n
single life. The facts are, however, suili-
Client to show the order of events In the case
raised, and that no unusual election would
be necessary or possible.