The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1897-04-09
PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION,
oissumstanos, That Kept Cleveland fros.
Hendrichs' Tunsra.

oissumstancs, That Kept Cleveland fross
HenddcsT Funsus.
Behind the law Of Presidential sue.
session is curious chapter Of unwriS,
ten history. i, was told today by a
hissourian. who has been for many
years a trusted Official Of the United
States senate. lie explains fully an in
tldent, almost forgotten now. but once
the cause OF much criticism OF Presi-
dent Cleveland. Until ten years ago
the law was that the President pro
tempors OF the senate succeeded to the
Presidential ONCE in tho event Of the
death or incApacity Of both President
and Nice-Presldent. In the absence
OF a President pro temporo, tho sue
cesslon dsyolved upon the speaker.
But sither Of these officers only acted
a. Prealden; until congress could b
convened on twenty days notice and
special election could be held. Early
In the frst term Of Mr.. Cleveland. Vice
President Hendricks died at his homo
In indianapolis A situation which
was without precedent existed. Up to
The time " his Hckness Mr.. Hendricks
had prevented tho senate from electing
President pro tcmpore. lie had been
able to do this by declining to yacate
he chair and TO recognize that priN-
lcge. The senate was Republican by
4 narrow majority. The Vice-P resi-
dent. having some political advantage
IN mind by no doing. steadiastly ro-
fused to lot the Republicans organize.
When he died there was no President
pro tempore. The death occurred be-
tween the dissolution OF one congress
and the regular session Of the next
congress There was no speaker. At
tho White House President Cleveland
was completing hls preparations to go
TO indianapolis to attend the funeral
senator Edmunds was ut the capitol.
busy In his committee room. The sug-
gcstion came to his mind: what would
happen II the President should bo
allied or be rendered unit for duty by
an accrien, on this contemplated jour
ney 90 IndlanRpoliB7
"Senaior Edmunds." said tho Mis-
rnuriPn. was much disturbed. Tho
moro he thought Of the peculiar posgi-
bllltles the graver the situation seemed
70 aim. lie asked me to find some 9TH
er senators and send them to him.
Only two we're about the capitol. They
Tcro soon cloaoied wi'h Mr.. Edmunds.
lie told them his opinion OF the altua-
ton. lie said that n anything should
happen to Mr. Cleveland the country
would be without head. There would
be no one with even tho temporary au-
lhorl,y 10 call an extraordinary session
| "a congress. II would be impossible
20 take any stop. No special election
could be ordered. There would be no
relief from the confusion until the reg
ular date for the assembling N con-
gress came round Ia De cmher. Until
tue senate chose a President pro tenn
pore aud the house elected speaker,
nobody could perform 80, Of the dutio,
\ President.
";'ho law then relating to Presiden-
tlrl succession was laid before the 9TH
or senstors The anomalous condition
had no, occurred 10 them. They agreed
at once that Senator Edmunds was
right. When he suggested that under
the circumstances the President ought
to DO specially careful they approved
tho suggestion. IA the result Of the
conference Senator Edmuidr came gu,
and asked mo to rot a carriage for
hlm. lilo rode dlrec, to the White
unus- and told Mr.. Cleveland he mus,
not 10 TO Indianapolis. lie went over
the ground. showing this President thai
II an accident happened to him the
country would be left without an ex-
esgtlyo for months, until December
cane. Tn. President was aHtonished.
III Lsd not had tho slightest realza-
'l1r NJ how much depended on hla life
o. that time. lie acknowledged the
force Of Senator Edmund's argument
Immediately cancelled the orders for
transportation and remained In Wash
ihgton."
There was much criticism over tho
.ailro OF Mr.. Cleveland to be present
et the Hendricks obsequleh Ths news
! papers couldn't understand the appar'
ent lack Of consideration. The Presi'
dent said nothing. This il the nrsi
time the circumstances OF tho soma.
toTial conference and OF Senator Ed.
munds' hurried visit 20 the White
House have been told. IA soon rs con.
Eross convened after Mr.. HendriekS
death Senator Edmunds fathored ant
pushed to enactment bill which made
impossible the repetition 4 such q cri'
els. The law Of succession now il such
that vacancy in the ones OF President
OF the United States ia boy ond all prob
ability. II the President dies the Vice
President takes ts once and holds 4
to the ond OF the term. II both tn
President ana the yiee-Preaident die
the Secretary OF State succeeds. Sue
esAslon falls in turn upon the member
Of the cabinet, including the Secretary
| NJ Agriculture