The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-25
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

As we nave before stated, by the death
of Henry Wilson, the duties of presiding
officer of the senate devolve, tempol arily
at least, on Thomas w. Ferry of Michigan,
the present president pro tempore of the
senate, and that body will be called to or
der by him. The Washington correspon-
dent of the Tribune says that the question
has arisen. and is being discussed among
republican senators, whether Senator Fer
~ becomes acting vice-president during
the remainder of MIR. Wilson's term, or
whether the senate can, upon reassembling,
proceed to an electionde nOuo. The Boston
Advertiser seems to incline to the opinion
that Senator Ferry will hold his presidency
until the end of Mr.. Wilson's term, as it
speaks Of him as being promoted "to the
permanent presidency Of that body and
"to the vice-presidency of the United
Estates
If so, it foccibly shows the Importance
of exercising great care and caution in the
selection of president pro tempore of the
senate. We urged the necessity of this
care and caution prior to the time that
Matthew H. Carpenter was 80 elected, and
stated that only two lives were between
HIM and the Office OF president of the Unit
ed States. The senate disregardsd all con-
siderations of this kind and made Carpen-
ter its temporary presiding officer, not for
any fitness he had tor the position, but
solely to aid him in securing reelection
to the senate from Wisconsin-but fortu-
nately they didn't succeed in effectlng his
reelection.
In the choice of Senator Ferry, all con-
alterations of fitness and of probable sue
cession were disregarded, and now but one
life is between him and the chief magis-
tracy of the nation. 1t is conceded on all
hands, that he would never have been
elected had there been any fears of the vice
presidents death. But he was elected, the
vice-president is dead, and should the
president, also, die, the folly of republican
senators may-and it no new choice can be
made, will-result in making an infationsl
president of the United States. 1t is moi
impossible that the president may die, bu,
we presume senators will continue to dis.
regard such seemingly remote contingencie.
and select their presiding officer withou,
reference to fitness and only so as to con
fer personal compliment or more sub
stantial aid in canvass for reelection.
But is the senate estopped from electina
another presiding officer We think not
John Gaillard, of South Carolina, was cleo
ted president pro tempOre of the senate
September 10, 1914, and was acting as sucf
November 20, 1914, when Elbridge Gerry
the vice-president, died. He was again
elected president pro tempOre November
"a, 1914, q note to the record concisely
stating, "Re-election considered necessary
"on death of vice-president." Again
20 President Zachary Taylor cied July
1850, and, ipso Jacto, Willard Fillmore, thu
vice-president, became president and o
course, could no longer act as president OF
the senate. William II. King, of Alabama
was at the time president pro tenpore o.
the senate, having been elected, as such
May 9. 1850, but Immediately after thu
senate was officially notified OF Genera
Taylor's death and that Vice Presiden
Fillmore had assumed the duties of tn,
office, 1t proceeded, July II, 1850, to re
elect Mr.. King president prO!tempore of thu
senate. These two precedents ought to b.
decisive of the question. AS we have be
fore said, we trust that a new election ma.
be had, and that Henry b. Anthony o.
Rhode Island may be chosen.