The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-12
THIS WAS DECIDED BY LOT
THE MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE,
FAILING TO AGREE ON ANY
ONE.
MIR. MKINLEY FORMALLY ELECTED
Will of the People Ratified by the
Action OF the Electors of the
States.


man, will be the messenger who will
present to the vice president at Wash
ington nine electoral votes from Min
nesota for William Mckinley, of Ohio,
for president, and Carrot A. Hobart,
of New Jersey. for vice president Of
the United States
The electors gathered at the capitol
yesterday morning, and after counting
noses to see that all Drere present
chose I. B. Walker. of Minneapoli to
preside, and James Quirk, of LIE Sueur,
secretary.
NJ. r. Brown, of Crookston, named
William Mckinley, of Ohio, for presi-
dent, and the nomination was second
ed by E. G. Holmes, Burdette Thayer,
V. D. Eddy, Warren Potter, c. A
Smith and James Quirk.
At high noon the law says, the cleo
toral vote shall be cast, and the mo-
ment the clock struck r. r. M. Brown
and Warren Potter, who had been ap
pointed tellers, passed a hat around
and collected the ballots for president.
This done they formally announced
that the nine votes in the college had
been cast for William Mckinley, Of
Ohio, as president.
President Walker declared William
Mckinley the choice of the college. and
called for the ballot for vice president
The same form was gone through with
and Carrot A. Hobart of New Jersey,
was declared the choice of the col
lege for vice president of the United
States.
The longest part of the proceeding
was yet to come The members had
to sign in triplicate a written state
ment Of the result of their voting. Then
they had to attach their signatures
to a similar statement contained on
the back of the envelope, in which the
statement to be sent to Washington
was enclosed. This statement is en-
closed in two envelopes and under two
seals.
One of the statements, signed in trip
licate, goes to Judge Lochren, Of the
federal district court, another is mail
ed to Washington at once, and the
third is delivered to the messenger
who is to deliver it to the vice presi-
dent Of the United States not later
than the fourth Monday in January.
The selection of this messenger pre-
cipitated a fight. V. D. Eddy named
Warren Potter, of Aitkin, and Mr. Pot
ter retaliated by naming Mr.. Eddy.
Then the balloting began. The men,
bers did not confine their voting to the
nominees.
T. B. Walker received 3 votes; James
Quirk, 1; NJ. r. Brown, 1; Warren Pot
ter, I; " D. Eddy. 2; blank. At the
close Of this ballot, Messrs. Walker
Quirk and Potter each expressed d
wish that no more ballots be cast for
him. but no one paid any attention to
it. On the second ballot Quirk received
2 votes, Eddy 4, Walker g.
On the third, Walker received 2 votes,
Quirk 1, Smith 1, Eddy 2, Holmes /,
Potter /. and one was cast blank
Then Mr.. Potter suggested that the
messenger be selected by lot and the
suggestion was adopted. The secretary
deposited in a hat Slips each contain
ing the name of one of the electors,
and Executive Clerk Angel was called
in to shake UP the slips and select one,
the man whose name was drawn to
act as messenger. This resulted in the
selection Of c. A. Smith. of Mime
apolis. Every member congratulated
Mr.. Smith, signed his certificate Of
election, and the college then adjourn
ed.
Mr. Smith can deliver the vote to
the vice president in Washington at
any time before the fourth Monday In
January. and he will probably leave
for Washington the latter part of next
week.
The votes will be opened before the,
house Of congress in joint session on
Wednesday, February H.
The position of messenger is not only
one of honor, but the expenses of the
lucky man are handsomely paid He
receives rs cents per mile from the
government, and Mr.. Smith will come
in for about $500.