Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1896-12-11
GETS IT FROM THE PAPERS.
IN NO OTHER WAY DOES A PRES
IDENT ELECT KNOW THAT
HE rs ELECTED.

1DENT ELECT KNOW THAT
HE IS ELECTED.
Mr.. Mckinley will have to
learn from the newspapers that
he has received a majority of the
electoral votes, and has been
duly and formally elected Presi-
dent of the United States. When
a 5000 Government clerkship is
filled, the appointee receives a
notice from the Civil Service
Commission. A member-elect
of Congress is given a certificate
by the Secretary of the State in
which he lives. A Postmaster,
after being confirmed by the
Senate, is given a commission.
But the citizen who is elected to
the highest office in the gift of
the American people receives no
notice, no certificate, no commits
sion.
Several years ago, after the
uncomfortable experience in
1876, Congress passed all electo
raj law, setting forth in much
detail the procedure for the re-
ception and canvass of ballots
cast by the electors. These
electors meet at the State Capi-
tolls and prepare the returns.
Three sets of returns are for~
Warded from each State to Wash
ington. They are forwarded
with great care. On the app
pointed day the Senators march
over to the House, and, in joint
session, with much formality,
every step i'll which is directed
by law, the returns are canvass
ed. Then the Vice-Preside1lt
announces the names of those
chosen for President and Vice,
President for the term beginning
on the 4th of March. With that
the formalities end. There is no
provision for any notice to the
two men found to be elected.
When Mr.. George F. Eds
monds was in the Senate he had
a good deal to do with the drafts
ing of the elaborate law under
which the electoral votes are
now canvassed. He was asked
one day how a man elected to
the Presidency was going to find
it out.
"By reading the newspapers"
was the reply.
AS inauguration day draws
near, a committee of Senators
and Representatives is appointed
to have in charge the arrange
ments. This committee usually
has some correspondence with
the President-elect, to learn his
personal wishes regarding the
programme. Nothing, however
i'll the form of an official states
ment of the canvass of the re>
returns is sent to the President
elect.
When the proper time comes
Mr.. Mckinley, having read in
the newspapers that he has been
elected, will go to Washington.
He will call upon President
Cleveland. An hour later Pres
ident Cleveland will call upon
Mr.. Mckinley. These calls will
take place a day or two before
the 4th of March. On the morn
ing of the 4th President Cleve-
land will come to the hote,
again, take Mr.. Mckinley in an
open barouche behind four black
horses, and ride with him to the
Senate wing of the Capitol.
There, in the Presidents room,
the Committee of Arrangements
will meet the President>elect
and the President to escort them
to the Senate chamber. That
will be the first official informa>
ton Mr.. Mckinley will receive
that he is to become President of
the United States. All OF the
information that he has had to
guide him up to that moment
will have been derived from the
newspapers. Ten minutes later
Mr.. Mckinley will put his hand
On the open Bible and be sworn
by Chief Justice Fuller. That
act will make him President of
the United States. Without a
scrap of paper to show his au>
thorlty he will enter upon his
duties as President.
The act of President Cleveland
in calling for Mckinley and es>
corting him to the Senate is one
of courtesy only. President
Cleveland will learn that Mr..
Mckinley is to be the successor
in the same way that Mr.. Nc
Kinley will-through the news.
papers. It is within the memory
of many now living that Pres
ident declined to perform this
act of courtesy, and that a Fres>
ident elect made his way alone
to the Capitol to be received by
the Senate. and sworn. Presi-
dent Andrew Johnson refused to