The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-12-03
The Question Of the Succession.

The Question Of the Succession.
We were mistaken last week in saying
that at the extra session Of the Senate,
held last March. Mr.. Edmunds was elected
President pro TEN. Of that body. The
statement was made under the impression
that such was the case and without time
to verify it by reference Mr.. Edmunds
was the choice OF the Republican major
ity in the Senate for that position, but
was not elected to it owing to the fact that
Vice President Hendricks declined to va
cate the chair for the purpose of allowing
the President pro TEN. to be chosen con-
sequently no selection was made. The
Senate is now without a presiding officer,
nor is there any speaker of the House.
The question of the presidential sue
cesson in case of the death of President
Cleveland before Congress assemblies, has
been widely discussed during the past
week through The press and by politicians
end lawyers of every shade of opinion.
There seems to have been no direct legis-
iation on the subject since 1874, when Con-
gress, under the power granted it in the
9Th paragraph Of section /, article of the
Constitution, enacted that in the case of
death, removal or disability Of the Presi-
dent and Vice-President, the succession
should fall first upon the President pro-
tempore Of the Senate and then upon the
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Senate being in continuous exist
ence, it was never supposed that the time
would come when there would be no presi-
dent pro tempore Of that body. Prior to
1873, three Vice-P Presidents, Clinton,
Gerry and King. died in Office, but as there
was president pro TEN. to take the chair
in each instance, the defect of the law was
not brought prominently into public no.
tice. Upon the death Of Vice President
Wilson, however, in 1878, it was discoy-
cred that the term of the president pro
tenn. ,ESenator Ferry, as such, had expired,
and that Gen. Grants life alone stood be-
tween the people and headless govern
ment. Then it was that the matter was
discussed and the need of legislation on
the subject was pointed out, but nothing
definite in regard to it was accomplished.
In the 48th Congress Representative
Eaton, Of Connecticut, who had been in
the Senate at the time of the death of Vice
President Wilson, and participated in the
discussions then had, presented bill reg
ulating the Presidential succession. 1t
provided that if the presidency and vice.
presidency should both become vacant, at
time when there was no president pro
tempore of the Senate, and no speaker of
the House, then that the succession should
go first to the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, and then to the associate justices
of that court in the order Of their senior
ity. This bill was introduced and ordered
to be printed, but its consideration was
crowded out by other business, and neither
debate nor action was had upon it. The
subject was also considered by the Senate
in the last Congress, and a special com.
mittee, with Mr.. Hoar as chairman, was
appointed to draft bill. The bill was
presented and is known as the Hoar bill.
1t provided that in the event of vacancies
occurring in both OF the highest offices, at
q time when they could not be filled under
the existing law, then the succession
should go to the members Of the cabinet in
the following order: Secretary Of State !;
Secretary of the Treasury: Secretary of
War Secretary of Navy; Secretary of In.
terror, and Postmaster General. The po-
sition of the Attorney General as legal adj
wiser to the government, was held to debar
him from the succession. This bill passed
the Senate, and was favorable reported in
the House, with amendments, but the lat
ter body failed to act upon it. 1t is believed
that one Of the first acts Of the incoming
Congress will be to provide for emergencies
that may arise In this direction.
Upon the assembling of Congress the
Senate will at once proceed to the election
of presiding officer. For this position
the names Of Senators Edmunds, Logan
end Sherman are mentioned, but it seems
to be uncertain now whether either would
consent to be thus honored. The eleva-
ton to the chair removes the Senator from
the floor, and takes away all chance for
active participation in the discussions
which come up before the hody. There is
little patronage to dispense, and no oppor-
tunity to make record upon any measure
except in case of tie vote.