The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-22
Something of a JihgO when American
Congress and I'm Private Life.
HAY In LINE FOR PRESIDENT
LAW GOVERNING The SUCCESSION
AND WHY 1T WAS ENACTED.
Death of Vice President Hendricks
RecaIIed-Mr. Cleveland's Dilemma
"A Curious Coincidence.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21-By the death OF
Vice President Hobart, Senator William r.
Frye, of Maine, becomes president pro tenn
pore of the Senate and will discharge all
the duties of the Vice President as presiding
officer of that body. The Senate rules spe-
officially provide that no election is neces-
sary at the beginning of the session Sena-
tor Frye accordingly will continue as pre-
siding officer till the end of President Nc
Kinley's administration, unless he chooses
to resign or the Senate wishes to elect an
other Senator to the office.
Mr. Hobart's death naturally recalls the
death OF Vice President Hendricks, who eX-
pired suddenly of paralysis of the heart
Nov. %, 1855. AT the time the question of
the succession to the presidency had not
been settled by law, although Senator
Hoar's bill providing for the presidential
succession through the Cabinet had been
submitted on Dec. A. 1889. and had remained
Enacted on.
The news of Mr.. HendrickSs death was
received IN Washington late on the after
noon Of Nov. 70. President Cleveland was
at dinner when the news was brought 20
him by Secretary Lamont. Notices were
sent at once to all the members of the Cabi-
net and a special Cabinet meeting was held
was to dispatch telegram of coincidence
TO Mrs. Hendricks, after which a proclama-
tion was prepared making an official an
nouncement of the Vice Presidents death
to the public, establishing usage which
was followed to-day by President Mckinley.
On the morning following Mr.. Hendrickss
death meetings of such members of the
House and Senate as were in town were
held at the Capitol and committees from
both legislative branches were appointed
TO attend the funeral services, which were
held in Indianapolis the Tuesday follow
ing. Nineteen members were appointed on
the House committee and the rather un-
usual number of thirteen from the Senate.
| President Cleveland at first expressed his
| intention OF attending the funeral, but there
was an immediate protest from all his ad-
| visers, seconded by the press of both par
| ties against his subjecting himself 70 even
| the slight possibilities Of an accident Incl
| dent to travel at time when there was no
provision for successor in his Office and
when bis death might have entailed serious
consequences. After consideration the Presi-
| dent deferred TO the advice of his friends
| and remained in Washington. The Cabinet,
| however, attended the funeral in a body
and the Supreme Court adjourned over till
| after the services Pending the Presi1ent's s
| decision not to go TO Indianapolis the most
] elaborate preparations were made by the
railroad officials for the Safeguarding of his
train in case the journey should be made,
special track walkers, pilot engines and the
| like being detailed to insure the safety of
| the whole route.
The law applicable to the vice presidency
was enacted Jan. 49, 1885, by the Forty-ninth
Congress. first session. The main features
| follow:
,, BE 1t enacted etc, that In case 5n OF re- e
| both the President and Vice President of
the United States the secretary of state.
or. secretery secretary y @ OF the treasury & or
| ney general, or postmaster general,
or secretary of the navy or :
| secretary of the interior shall act as Presi-
dent until the disability of the President or
| Vice President is removed or a President
shall be elected"
Tie law further provides that when one
of the above Cabinet officers succeeds TO the
presidency he shall call a special session OF
Congress. A proviso limits the succession
| of those who would be eligible TO the presi-
| dency under the terms of the Constitution
and who have been appointed With the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate. The effect
of the law is not to provide a succession
to the vice presidency, but merely to insure
a succession to the presidency.
| 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
same day Of the month in the year of their
| deaths. the death of Mr.. Hobart being the
| 2lst of November, 1892 that of Mr.. Wilson
the 22d of November, 1875. that of Elbridge
Gerry Nov. %. 1884, and that of Hendricks
Nov. .. 1855. The other two Vice Presidents
who died in Office were Clinton and King.
| The former died April 70, 1872, and the lat
! ter April IL, 1886.