The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-11-29
SIX VICE PRESIDENTS HAVE
DIED IN OFFICE.
No Successor to Hobart.

No Successor to Hobart.
The law applicable to the Vice Presi-
dency was enacted January 10, 1886, by
the Forty-ninth Congress, first session.
The effect of the law is not to provide
q succession to the Vice Presidency,
but merely to insure a succession to the
Pre- -idency.
By the death of Mr.. Hobart Senator
William P. Frye, Of Maine, becomes
President pro tempore Of the Senate,
and will discharge all the duties OF the
Vice President as presiding officer of
that body. The Senate rules specifical-
ly provide that no election is necessary
at the beginning of the session. Sena-
tor Frye, accordingly, will continue as
presiding officer until the end of Presi-
dent McKinley's administration, -un-
less he chooses to resign or the Senate
wishes to elect another Senator to the
Office.
SUCCESSION TO THE PRESIDENCY.
The main features of the succession
law follow: Be it enacted, ETC., that in
case Of removal, death, resignation or
inability OF both the President and Vice
President of the United States, the Sec
retary of State, or Secretary CT the
Treasury, or Secretary of War, or At
torney General, or Postmaster General,
or Secretary of the Navy, or Secretary
Of the Interior shall act as President
until the disability of the President is
removed or President shall be elected.
The law further provides that when
one Of the above Cabinet officers sue
ceeds TO the Presidency, he shall call a
special session of Congress. A proviso
limits the succession to those who would
be eligible to the Presidency under the
terms of the Constitution, and who
have been appointed with the advice
and consent of the Senate.
FOUR DEATHS on SUCCESSIVE DATES.
A curious coincidence of the death of
Vice President Hobart is found In the
fact that of the six Vice Presidents who
have died in office four died within
few days Of the day of the month In
the year of their deaths, the death OF
Mr.. Hobart being the 2lst Of Novem-
Der, 1899; that of Henry Wilson, the
22d Of November, 1875; that Of Elbridge
Gerry, November 23d, 1914, and that of
Thomas A. Hendricks, November oath,
1885. The other two Vice Presidents
who died in Office were George Clinton
and William r. King. The former died
April %, 1872, and the latter April IL,
1853.
HOBART THE SIXTH TO DIE.
Six Vice Presidents have now died in
Office, two more than the number Of
Presidents who have terminated their
Office by reason OF death.
The first incumbent of the second Of
flee under the Government who died
was George Clinton, Vice President
with James Madison during the latter's
first Administration. He was New
Yorker, 70 years of age. He was sue
ceeded by Elbridge Gerry, OF Massa-
chusetts. He died the next year In
Washington, and was 20 yeurs old.
William r. King. of Alabama, was
inaugurated Vice President in 1858.
He lived but few weeks, and died at
his home in Dallas county, Alabama,
at the age Of 81. This was at the
beginning Of the Administration Of
Franklin Pierce, and the first an
nouncement Of a Vice Presidents
death Of which any record has been
kept was made by President Pierce on
April 20, 1853. This announcement
was as follows:
FIRST OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
"The President has, with deep sor-
row, received information that the Vice
President Of the United States, Will
liam R. King, died on the 18th instant
at his residence in Alabama.
"In testimony OF respect for eminent
station, exalted character, and, higher
and above all stations, for career Of
public service and devotion to this
Union, which, for duration and useful
ness, is almost without parallel in the
history Of the Republic, the laboEs OF
the various departments will be sus-
pended.
1.-THE Secretaries Of War and Navy
will issue orders that appropriate mill
tary and naval honors be rendered to
the memory OF one to whom such a
tribute will not be formal, but heartfelt
from the people the deceased has SO
faithfully served.
"The public offices will be closed to-
morrow and badges Of mourning be
placed on the Executive Mansion and
all the executive departments at Wash
ington."
JEFFERSON DAVIS GAVE THE ORDER
The announcement of the death Of
Vice President King to the army was
made by Jefferson Davis, then Secre-
tary Of War. He issued the necessary
orders for the display of the flag at half
staff and firing minute guns and the
national salute.
The next Vice President to die was
Henry Wilson, who was elected on the
ticket with U. s. Grant in 1872. He
died in Washington in 1875 at the age
Of So, and his death was announced TO
the people Of the country in an execu-
tive proclamation by President Grant
Thomas A. Hendricks, Of Indiana,
who was elected Vice President on the