New-York tribune., 1899-11-22
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET NOW IN LINE
THE vICE-PREsIDENCY REMAINS
VACANT.


VACANT.
Washington. Nov q (speciaD.-The death of
the Vice-President leaves vacant a post which
there is means OF filing before March 4,
1901. In the Senate. OF course. the functions
exercised by Mr.. Hobart fall 10 the President
pro tempore OF that body. Senator Frye Of
Maine But the President pro tempore Of the
Senate does not thereby become. as formerly,
a link in the chain Of the Presidential success
sion, the Presidency passing IN reversion should
a vacancy occur. 10 the ranking Secretary
In the Cabinet. the Secretary OF State. The law
applicable TO the succession 10 the Presidency
enacted January 49, 1886, by the XLIXth
Congress. It's leading section is as follows:
Be It enacted, etc. That in case Of removal,
dsath resignation or inability OF both the Presi-
dent and Vice President Of the United States
the Secretary Of State or Secretary Of
the Treasury. or Secretary Of War, or
Attorney General. or Postmaster
General, or Secretary Of the Navy. or
Secretary OF the Interior shall act as
President until the disability Of the President
or Vice-President is removed a President
shall be elected.
The law further provides that when one OF the
above Cabinet officers succeeds TO the Fresi-
dency he shall call special session OF Congress.
proviso limits the succession to those Cabinet
officers who would be eligible TO the Presidency
under the terms Of the Constitution. and who
have been appointed with the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate.
Law officers Of the Government, referring 10
the above law said to-day that its effect was
not 10 provide a succession to the Vice-Presi-
dency, but merely 70 insure a succession 10 the
Presidency in case both the President and
Vice President were removed. So far the
Vice Presidency is concerned. It remains va
cant
SIX HAVE DIED IN OFFICE.
Six Presidents Of the United States have
died in Office. and four Of the six died in No
vember Those who died in office we're George
Clinton, Of New-York. April 20. 1872, at the age
Of seventy-three years; Elbridge Gerry. Of Mas
sachusetts November % 1914. at the age OF
seventy years; William r. King Of Alabama,
April IS. 1853 at the age Of siXty-seven years;
Henry Wilson, Of Massachusetts, November y,
1875 at the age OF So; Thomas A. Hendricks OF
Indiana. November 25. 1885 at the age Of sixty
six years, and Garret A. Hobart. OF New-Jer-
sew. November d. 1899. at the age OF fifty five
years.
William r. King took the oath Of office In
Cuba where he was at the time, on account OF
I'll health but he never presided over the Sen
ate Clinton, Gerry and Wilson died In wash
ington. and Clinton and Gerry were buried IN
the Congressional Cemetery. King was buried
i'm Dallas County. Ala. and Hendricks In IN
dianapolis.
1t is interesting TO note that OF the Vice
Presidents of the United States three only
John Adams Thomas Jefferson and Martin Van
Buren-were afterward elected TO the Presl-
dency while four succeeded TO the Presidency
through the death Of the Chief Magistrate.
These were John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Andrew
Johnson and Chester A. Arthur.
Senator Frye, Of Maine, the President pro
tenonore OF the Senate. will undoubtedly con-
tinue TO be President Of the Senate. The law
nrovjdes that In such case the salary or the
president pro tempore thus elected shall be
s. coo the same salary that is provided FOR the
Vice President. In case Of tie vote IN the
senate the question, however. would be lost,
for Senator Frye would vote as Senator and not
as the nresiding officer Of the body. Senator
Frve. as President Of the Senate, viii not give
nm anv Of his privileges as a Senator. nor VIII
he relinouish any Of his committee assign
,oents This was the when Mr. Sherman
vas elected President pro tempore OF the Senate
after the death OF Vce-President Hendricks.