The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-02
METHODS OF ELECTION


AppreheDsions were suggested thai
there might be difficulties IN the way OF
securing so large an. attendance at the
seat Of government. Abandoning this
plan the majority Of the convention
seemed again inclined to an election by
joint session of the senate and house.
1t was then proposed by opponents of
the last-named plan that, instead of one,
there should be an electoral college for
each state. This obviated the necessity
Of the electors meeting at the national
seat Of government, but required tho
meeting to be held at the respective
state capitals, the vote of each cleo.
toraI college to be that Of its two sena-
tors added to that of its representative
or representatives in congress. The
mode last indicated was finally approved
by the convention. and made more ex-
plieit by constitutional amendment,
adopted early Ia the present century,
to PREVENT the repetition of the danger
growing ]6if# of~tfie( eGerson and Burr
cosnplication. This plan is still that by
whteh the president of the United States
is AqHadrannlally elected
All that has been said touching the
election of the president applies in exact
terms to that Of the vice president
The latter officer derives his powers from
clauses Of the constitution, which are, In
substance:
THE vice president of the United
States snail be the president of the SEN
ates. but shall have no vote unless they
be equally divided.
*phe senate shall choose their officers
and also a president pro tempore. in the
absence of the vice president. or when
hessshall exercise the office of the presl-
dent of the United States"
IMPEACHMENT AND POWER.
When the president is upon trial by
impeachment, the vice president vacatesl
the chair and the chief justice of the
United States becomes the presiding Of
dcer of the senate.
In case Of the death, resignation or re-
moYal from office Of the president, or his
inability to discharge the powers and
duties of his office, the same shall de-
volve on the, vice president. Congress
is ssXested with power to provide by law
for filling Stfle. vacancy in the event of
such contingency or disability happening
In the case OF both officers.
In common with the president, the vice
president is subject to removal from Office
on impeachment for, and conviction Of,
treason, bribery or other high crimes and
misdemeanors. The constitutional re-
duirements as to eligibility for the presi-
dent apply also to the vice president. AS
TO both. officers, a majority of the votes
of the whole number Of the electors is
requisite.
Thus far Il will be seen that the mode
of electing the first applies to the second
officer of the government. Different
methods are provided, however. in the
event of failure to elect by the people
or rather by the electors chosen by the
people.
The contingency of no candidate re-
ceiving majority Of the electoral votes
was wisely provided for in the constitu-
ton. When such contingency arises in
case of the president, the responsibility
Of choosing is cast upon the house Of rep
resentatiyes. The selection must be from
three persons receiving the highest num-
Der Of votes In the electoral college The
vote Is then by states each having q
single vote In the case of the vice presi-
dent the election is by the senate.
Here appears one Of the anomalies OF
our constitution. While In the popular
branch OF the congress, in the election
of the president, the vote Is by states
in the senate, in the election of the vice
president. each senator casts his individ-
ual vote. The selection Is made from the
two candidates receiving the highest mum.
Der OF votes in the electoral colleges
and the majority of all the senators Is
necessary to choice.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENTS.
Twenty-four persons have held the Of.
nee Of vice president during the one
hundred and eleven years of our con-
stitutional history. The first incumbent
of tho Office was John Adams He was
twice elected. and served during both of
the presidential terms of Washington
The last incumbent of the office was the