The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-25
rKIHLEY MUST READ THE NEWS.


{. Ne other Way win He Learn That
He Has Dsea Elected.
o.. Louss Ciooe-DsmocraG
NP aacKln.ey VIII have TO learn from
the aewspapers that he has recs-ved .
majority q ne e.sctersi votes. ana has
been duty and formally elected rrssacens
of the Ua.ied Sta.ea- When 500 Uovern~
mens cserhship 10 Oiled the appo-nlee re-
ee.vss . notice from shs civil service COM
missscn- A msmber-easct OF congress- -
g.vsa Z certificate oy The secretary Of the
srzts In which he lives \ postmaster.
after bang confirmed BY the senate. -
gwen . commission. But me citizen VINO
Is elected 10 the highest once in the gsfs
Of The American people receives no notice.
no certificate. no commission.
Several years ago. after the uncorsfors-
abls experience IN lS7s. congress- passed an
electoral .aw. setting forsh IN much detail
rhe procedure for ths reception and can
yass at ballots BY the electors. These
electors meet 81 the state capstois and
prepare une returns. Three sets Of returns
are forwarded from each state TO Wash
irgion- They are guarded with great
care. On the appointed day the senators
march over 10 the .iouse. and. IA Joint ses-
sion. with mut.. formally. every step In
wa-ch - directed by law. the returns are
canvassed. Then the vice president an-
president and wee president for the term
beginning on the 4ri OF March. With that
the farma..ces end. There u no provi-
sion for any notice 70 the two men found
to be elected.
When Mr.. George r. Edmnnds was In
the senate ne had good deal 10 % with
the drafting OF the elaborate Law under
which the electoral votes are now can
va$sed. He vas asked one day how man
e.ected TO the presidency was going % ind
II out.
by reading the newspapers" was me
reply.
As Inauguration day draws near. = COM
mlftee OF senators and representatives Is
appointed 70 have in charge the arrange
ments. This committee usually has some
correspondence with The pres.dent-elect.
to learn MS personal wishes regarding the
progra mme. Nothing. however, IN the
form Of sn offieiAl abatement OF rhe can.
vass OF the returns Is sent to the prasi-
den,-s.ect
When the proper time comes Mr.. AcKin-
ley. having read n the aewspapers that
ne has bean elected. viii 60 to Wash.ng-
ton. He win call upon President
Cleveland. An hour later President C.sye-
land viii call upon Or. Mckinley. These
calls VIII take place . day or two before
the sgh Of March. On the morning OF the
Atm President Cleveland WI come 10 the
hotel again. take Mr.. Mckinley In an open
barouche behind four black horses and
ride with him to tho senate wing Of the
capitol There. In the presidents room,
the committee OF arrangements viii meet
the pres. dent elect and the president to
escort them TO the senate chamber. That
VIII be the first Official information Mr..
Mckinley Will receive that he Is TO be-
come president Of the United States All
of the information Uhat he has had to
guide him up TO that moment VIII have
been derived from the newspapers. Ten
minutes later Mr.. Mckinley Will put his
hard on the opsn bible and be sworn by
Cn.ef Justice Fuller. That act VIII make
him president Of the United Statea- wic-
cut a scrap of paper TO show his authority
he viii enter upon his duties as pres dent
The act Of President Cleveland In ealing
for Mr.. Meniniey ana escorting him 10 rhe
senate Is one az courtesy only. President
Cleveland win learn that Mr.. Mckinley
10 10 he the successor n The same way
that AIR. Mckinley will-Lhreugh the
newspapers. 1t is within phe memory Of
many now living that a president declined
to perform this act OF courtesy. and that
a pres.dsnt-eieet made his way alone to
the capitol to De received by the senate
aud sworn. President Andrew Joanson
refused TO go with Gen. Grant.
II seems singular nat with all of the
elaborate electoral programme there
should ee no provision for an ofac.ai not
fcar.or Of his election m 'se -
eject. and that with all Of the porap anA
ceremony of iRaas~ra.-~..
..sued no commission. no prec4a ma on.
70 give Official Infcrms ton OF change %
admsnsstraaon-