The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-15

In No Other Way Does IA tr-stdent- Elect
Know That H. Is Elected.

From the 81. Lout$ GiObe. Lenorrdt.
MIR. Mckinley will have to learn from the
newspapers that he has received Il majority of
tho electoral votes. and has been duly and for
mally elected President of the United States.
When n 5000 Government clerkship is filed. the
appointee receives a notice from the Civil Ser
vice Commission. A member-elect of Congress
is given a certificate by the Secretary OF the
state in which he lives. 4 Postmaster. after
being confirmed by the Senate, is given a com
mission. But the citizen who is elected to the
highest Office in the gift of the American people
receives no notice. no certificate. no commission.
SeverR! years ago, after the uncomfortable ex-
perience in 1876. Congress. passed an electoral
law. setting forth in much detail the procedure
for tine reception and canvass of ballots cast by
the electors; These electors meet at the state
Capitois and prepare the returns. Three sets Of
returns az forwarded from each State I" Wash
ington. They are guarded with great care. On
the appointed day the Senators march over to
the House, and. in JOINT session, with much for
mality. every step in which is directed bv law,
The returns are canvassed. Then the Vtcc-Prcei-
dent announce the names OF those chosen for
President ard Nlce-Hrc-ident for TIE term be-
ginning on the 4th OF March. With that the
formniities end. There /, no provision Tor any
notice to Tie TWO mel found To BE- elected.
When Mr.. Geog" r. Euinunds was in the SEN
ate he had n good deal to 90 with til. drafting
OF he elaborate law under, which the electoral
votes are now CansRs>ed. He was asked one
day how a mar elected to the Presidency was
going I" md it our.
BY reading the newspapers" was the reply.
A. inauguration day draws near. a COMMITTEES
OF senators aud Representatives is appointed to
have in charge The arrangements. This COM
mittre usually has some correspondence with
tnr iresId"nt-r!eCt to learn hi persona, wishes
regarding the programme. Nothing. however.
in the form OF an Official statement of the can
vass of the returns is sent TO the President.elcrt.
When the proper time comes Mr.. Mckinley.
having read in the newsi"prr> thar he has been
elected. win go 10 Washington. He will call
upon President Cleveland. An hour later Pres
ldent cleveland will cali upon Mr.. Mckinney.
These calls VIII take place n day or two before
l4 IL n nf VI q \ "a la Arstn Of yla Ia
again. take Mr.. Mckinley in AN open haruucne
behind fon: lack hnree-. aud ride with him to
the senate Wig Of the Capitol. There. IN the
Presidents room. the of Ar
ranGrmrr's VIII meet the Prr>idrnt-elect
and IN" President to escort them to the senate
chamber. That VIII be the first official intOr-
become President al the United States. All of
the Information that he has had to guide him
up to tha1 N Iintnt will have been derived from
the newspapers. Ten minutes later Mr.. Nc
KIniey will nut his hand on the open Bible and
bc sworn ly chief Justice Fuller. That act will
r,aEe nm PRESIDENT Of the United States.
without scrap OF paper to show his authority
he viii enter upon MS duties a. President.
The act OF President Cleveland n calling for
MIR. Mckinney and e%scnrting him IN the Senate
l. one Of courtesy only. Pres dent Gle, Gland
ccs-or IN the. same way that MIR. Mckinley will
ihrolrh the Newspapers. 1t is within the
memory "i many now living that a President
dcr.lilrd To perform this act Of courtesy. and
that II pr"sidrnt-cIcc, made his way alone 10
til" CAPITOL to be received by the senate, and
sworn. President Andrew johnson refused to 20
vita Gen. Grant.
II seems = ugular that with all of iho ella borats
%clrr'ura! programme there should be no urnvi-
son. Tor an oficial notification OF his election to /
tn" l'rtsidrni-rl"ct and that with all of the cere-
lno'N OF inauguration there should be issued no
rnnlm ,Ssion. no proclamation. To give oticla
Information OF "a change Of administration.