The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-03
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
How Our Chief Executives Have Been
Chosen.

, How Our Chief Executives Have Bee
Chosen.
An Interesting Compilation OF President,
Statistics-Those Who We're Reelected.
To speak of minority presidents in
country where it is said the majorit
rule may be to some persons myster
Gus; yet such is the fact, and their in
auguration frequently occurs. Thi
Is the result of choosing that officer b
the electoral vote, which is, perhaps
the best system that could have bee
devised. By it each state has al
equal number-two electoral votes a
the senatorial representation, and on
electoral vote for each representative
the state is entitled to in the lowe
house of congress; to be chosen in sucl
manner as the legislature of the stat,
may direct. Though not controlling
this system has an equalizing tendency
in the election of president. The
same wise provision is provided in the
legislative department of our govern
ment. 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
colonies (states) were forced in by
the hand of oppression.
Soon after the Revolutionary war
the continental congress provided for
q convention of delegates from each
colony to form a constitution and a
union of states. Twelve of tie colo
MES responded-viz., Connecticut,
Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts,
Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jer-
sey, New York, North Carolina, Penn
sylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.
In this convention were many of the
best men in the country. A constitu-
ton containing the above provisions
was formed. 1t provided for its ratif-
cation and adoption by each state, two
thirds being necessary to form union.
Nine of them having adopted the con-
stition, the election Of a president be-
came necessary.
The constitution thus formed provi-
ded that the electors shall meet in
their respective states and vote by bal
lot for two persons, residents of diff
ferent states. The person receiving
the greatest number of votes, that be-
ing a 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 a majority, then from the
five highest on the list the house shall |
choose the president; each state hav- |
ing but one vote. Two-thirds of the |
states to constitute a quorum for bust
hrrf To -
choice. In like manner the second
highest of the persons voted for by
the electors to become the vice-presi-
dent. If not chosen by the electors,
then by the senate.
By the constitution the twelve states
were entitled to 81 electoral votes.
When the first election was held, New
ork having votes, had not COM
pleted her electoral system. North
Carolina with and Rhode Island with
votes, had not adopted the constitu- .
ion. There were four vacancies-2 {
n Maryland ana Pin Virginia, leaving {
he electoral vote but SO. When
counted. George Washington had re-
,eived the SO votes and was Inaugural
ed president April 80, 1889. The !
census of 1890 increased the electoral
1ote to 1872. In 1892 Washington was !
gain unanimously chosen president. ,
In 1896 the electoral vote was 1879. =
IT this number John Adams, federal,
eceived II, and Thomas Jefferson, =
emocrat, 60 votes. AS some of the
tates chose their electors by the leg
'latures, and the count being close, 1 T
m unable to give correctly the popu- =
N expression. 1t is believed to have =
cen in favor of Jefferson. Be that as o
may, Adams was constitutionally
|ected. South Carolina continued to 9
hoose her electors by the legislature r
ntif 1860. 1
In 1900 the electoral vote was 1879. Il
homas Jefferson and Aaron Burr,
9TH democrats, receive an equal q
nmber-73 electoral votes. There G
,ing no choice by the people, the q
ection went to the house of repre- y
ntatives. On the thirty-sixth ballot VI
,fierSon was chosen president by the al
flowing states, each having one vote:
eorgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New o
'rsey, New York, North Carolina, OF
Tennessee, Vermont, b
i'd Virginia ten states. That being W
majority OF all the states. Jefferson f..
IS constitutionally elected president. Il
After the tie vote of Jefferson and IL
lit, 1t became evident that the like
ght often occur, and immediate CT
easures were taken to amend this M
TT OF the constitution. By 1904 the Ri
elfth amendment was consumated. of
provides that the electoral vote shall Jc
given separately tor president and To-
,e president. No one receiving a te
aJority of that vote, the election to de
by the house, as above stated, but LII
be chosen from the three persons es
wing the highest electoral vote. be
In 1904 the electoral vote was 176, as
omas Jefferson received 1872, and pc
aries c. Pinckney, federal, IA cleo mi
al votes. vo
IN 1908 the electoral vote was 176. az
mes Madison, democrat, received wi
}; Charles Pinckney, federal, AZ; ms
orge Clinton, democrat, 6 electoral CO..
.es.
n 1912 the electoral vote was 218.
this number James Madison receiy-
NJ