The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-12-04
THE pRrsIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
The Law on the subject Which Was
Passed la 1893.

By the death of ce-President Hen
bricks the country is once more solemn
ly admonished of the urgent necessity OF
making better provisions for the trans
mission OF the Presidential Office. One
life only Is barrier to the temporary
restoration of the Executive Office to
the party from which il was taken by
the people at the ballot-box q year ago.
In the event of the death of President
Cleveland during the recess Of Congress
the President pro tenpOre of the Senate
would be his successor, and the whole
executive power of the Government
would be transferred to tie defeated
party until an election could be held.
When President johnson was impeached
the general understanding was that, in
the event of his conviction, Benjamin
F. Wade, of Ohio, President pro tenn
pore Of the Senate, would succeed him.
The only law on this subject was
passed in 1872, three years after the es-
tablishment of the Federal Govern
ment. This law prescribes that in case
OF the removal, death, disability or re-
signation both of the President and
Vice President, the President of the
senate pro tempOre, and in case there
shall be no President of the Senate then
the Speaker of the House Of Representa-
tives for the time being, shall act as
President of the United States until a
President shall be elected. Should
there be no President pro teDnpoTe ot the
Senate, and the vacancies should occur
after the expiration of one Congress
and the assembling of another, there
would be no Speaker of the House, and
no officer would exist to fill the station
of President of the United States. Un-
til the people could hold an election the
Office of President would be vacant.
But there Is no reason to apprehend
that the Government would lapse into
anarchy on that account.
By the act Of 1872, whenever the off,
ces of President and Vice President
both become vacant it Is provided that
the Secretary of State shall cause q no.
tifcation to oe made to the Governor OF
every State for holding an election for
President and Vice President Of the
United States within thirty-four days
preceding the first Wednesday of De-
cember next ensuing. But II there
shall not be the space of two months be-
! tween the date of such notification and
| the first Wednesday In December, then
| the Electors are 70 be chosen within
thirty four days preceding the first
! Wednesday in December of the next
Il
! come vacant now it could not be filed
by election of the people until the 4th
/ of March, 1887. But would there be a
| vacancy in the Presidential Office during
| that timer When Congress assemblies
| would the President pro ten1pore chosen
| by the Senate or the Speaker o. the
| House act as President until Presi-
! dent elected by the people be installed
| in Officer On these questions the law is
! by no means clear and satisfactory.
! The good sense of q people long accus-
! toned to self-goveI nment may be relied
upon to prevent anarchy or violent dis
orders in administration should va
| cancy occur in the Presidential Office.
! Yet prudence dictates that the necessa-
| ry legislation on this subject should be
no longer delayed. Before another
session of Congress is ended the ques-
tiOn of disputed Presidential success
sion should be put at rest forever
! PHILADELPHIA Record.