The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-03-26
OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVES.
An Interesting and Instructive Com
pilation Of Presidential
Statistics.
The Popular and Electoral Votes from
George Washington TO Grover
Cleveland.

Gus; yet such is the fact, and their in
auguration frequently occurs. This is
the result of choosing that officer by
the electoral vote, which is, perhaps,
the best system that could have been
devised. BY it each State has an equal
number-two electoral votes as the
Senatorial representation, and one
electoral vote for each Representative
the State is entitled to in the lower
house of Congress; to be chosen in such
manner as the Legislature of the State
may direct. Though not controlling,
this system has an equalizing tendency
to the election of President. The same
wise provision is provided in the legis-
lative department of our Government.
1t is one of the great principles of
State-rights, without which it is be-
lieved this Union of States could not
have been formed, unless the small col
onies (States) were forced in by the
hand of oppression.
Soon after the revolutionary war the
Continental Congress- provided for a
convention of delegates from each cob
ony to form constitution and union
of States. Twelve of the colonies re-
Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, and Virginia. In this
convention were many of the best men
in the country. A constitution contain
ing the above provisions was formed.
It provided for its ratification and
adoption by each State. two-thirds
being necessary TO form union. Nine
of them having adopted the Constitu-
ton, the election of President be-
came necessary.
The Constitution thus formed pro-
vided that the electors shall meet in
their respective States and vote by
ballot for two persons, residents of
different States. The person receiving
the greatest number of votes, that
being majority of all the votes cast.
shall be the President; but should two
persons having such majority be equal,
then the House of Representatives
shall choose one of them for President.
If no one has majority, then from the
five highest ON the list the House shall
choose the President, each State having
but one vote. Two-thrds of the States
to constitute quorum for business,
but majority to make the choice. In
like manner, the second highest of the
persons voted for by the electors to be-
come the Vice President. If not chosen
by the electors, then by the Senate.
BY the Constitution the twelve States
were EMIT ed to 81 electoral votes.
When the first eciion was hed New
York having Svotes, had not completed
her electoral syst IN North Carolina
with Z, and Rhode Island wi h 3 votes,
had not adopted the Constitution.
There were four vacancies-two in
Maryland and two in Virginia-leaving
TIE electoral vote but 90. When
counted. George Wa hington had re-
ceived the 90 votes, and was inaugur-
ated President April 30, 1889. The
census of 1870 increased the electoral
vote to 1872. In 1892 Washington was
again UNANIMOUSLY chosen President.
In 1896 the electoral vote was 139.
OF this number John Adams, Federal,
r. ceived II, and Thomas Jefferson,
Democrat, 6S votes. AS some of the
States chose their electors by the Leg
islatures, and the count being close, we
are unable TO give correctly the popu
lar expression. II is believed to have
been in favor of jefferson. Be that as
it may, Adams was constitutionally
elected South Carolina continued to
choose her electors by the Legislature
until 1860.
In 1900 the electoral vote was 139.
Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr,
both Democrats, received an equal
number-73 electo al votes. There be-
ing no choice by the peope. the cleo
tion went to tho House of Repr senta-
tives. On the thirty-sixth ballot JEFF
fers was chosen President by the fol-
lowing States, each having one vote /;
Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New
Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, Tennessee, We mont,
and virginia-ten States. That being
majority of all the States, Jefferson
was consttutionally elected President.
After the tie vote of Jefferson and
Burr, it became evident that the like
might often occur, and immediate meas
ures were taken to amend this part of
the Constitution. BY 1904 the twelfth
amendment was consummated. 1t pro-
NlutS tlitb bDt cttCtOi NOhO ohtsAt pO
given separately for President and Vice
President. No one receiving majority
of that vote, the election TO be by the
House, as above stated, but TO be chosen
from the three persons having the high
est electoral vote.
In 1904 the cleo toral vote was 176.
Thomas Jefferson received 1872, and
Charles @. Pinckney, Federal, Ii elect
oral votes.
In 1908 the electoral vote was 176.
James Madison, Democrat, received
l22; Charles G. Pinckney, Federal, a ;
George Clinton, Democrat, 6 electoral
votes.
In 1912 the electoral vote was 21S.
OF this number James Madison received
IDS; Dewitt Clinton, Federal, 50 votes
one seat vacant
In 1916 the electoral vote was 221.
J James Monroe, Democrat. received 1873;
Rufus King, ederal, "a electoral votes;
| four seats vacant.
4. In 1920 the electoral vote was 235.
James Monroe received all but one, that
being given to John q. Adams; three
electoral seats vacant.
In 1s24 the electoral vote was 261.
| OF this number Andrew jackson, Dem
ocrat received %: John q. Adams