New-York tribune., 1875-12-13
these subjects are shared and approved by every
other member OF tho Cabinet. z. l. W.
THE SUCCESSION TO THE PRESIDENCY.
. FIyE-DRAwN THEORY IN Favor oP SPEAKER KERR
THE FooIERY OF THE SENATE IN not ELLCI-


FIyE-DR,wN TdroRy IN Favor oP SPEAKER KERR
THIS FoOLERY OF THE SENATE in MOI ELLCI-
ING PRESIDING OFFICER.
lBY TELEGRAPT THB TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-There Is possible con-
tiugency in which q very serious national complica-
tion mlght result from the death of Vice-Presidcnt
Wilson. That possibility lies in the fact that IN the
event Of the death OF President Grant. the Demo-
Gratis would claim that Speaker Kerr would be fresi-
dent of the United States. This subject has recent
ly been made the text of private Senatorial
discussion, and it appears that the leading
Democrats have given the matter much
thought. and have arrived at the conclusion above
stated. This conclusion is reached by an examina-
tion of the Constitutional provisions relative to the
Vice-Presidenta succession, and from the roles and
preoedeuts laid down in JcffeIson's Manual. The
Democratic interpretation of these provisions is not
generally known. and cannot fail to excite extended
comment The Constitution, Article H., Section g..
declares that:
Congress may, by law, provide Tor oremoval
dc , resignation inability both Of The President and
Vice President declaring what officer shall then act rs
President; and such officer shall act accordingly untl
tle disability be removed, or President snail Do
elected
Congress in 1892 passed law TO carry out this
provision of the Constitution. That law il contained
IN section 146 of the Revised Statutes, namely:
In case Of removal death, iosl. nation, Inability Of
both the Pr sident and Vic,ePresident OF the United
states the President of the Senate II there s
then the Speaker TIE House o! Representatives for the
time being shaU act Preidcnt uptil the disability il
removed or President il elected.
The claim of the Democrats to the Presidency. IN
the event Of the possible death of President Grant.
turns, of course, upon an alleged vacancy in the
Presidency Of the Senate. This raises the disputed
point as to tine necessity for the election of pre-
siding officer the Senate. The Constitution is silent
upon the subject. There are no definite provisions
which are conclusive under tho existing circum-
stances. In the absence of affirmative conSttu-
tional provisions the Democrats insist that the IN
terprctation which prevailed in the ealy history Of
the Government should control the succession now.
They clam thercior- that there a vacancy in the
Presidency OF the Senate and base their claim upon
this passage in JotersOns Manual of the Constitu-
ton:
In the Senate n President PRO tp0re. In tho absence
Of the Wee President, is propose ard chosen 10y ballot
His cce u understood To be determined On tue vice
President appearing and taking the chair, or at ths meet
ing Of the senate after the recess
The NIccPreSdent being dead and the Senate
having met after the recess without clectnG "reSi-
dent pro tcnpoie. the Democrats claim that In the
event Of the death 0f President Grdn-Spcaker Kerr
would become President Of the United States.