The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-09-13
IN 1 1 ! h jRlff
~ Y y 2 sTUNNEDs ny THE.
NEWS y OF THE 14l1AcK on
n. TIIE PIsEsiD1Nr.
ROOSEVELT Q 81 v MAY ASSUME DUTIES.
Vice President VIII Hold HIM SELF il.
Readiness to Discharges the
Daties Of the Executive In case
the President's injuries Are Il.
Such = Nature az TO, Make Such -
Course Necelsnfy. y, \; .3s

Washington, Sept. 1.-THE news Of the
| shooting Of President Mckinley caused
tremendous sensation. So frequent have
been rumors Of this sort, often put afioat
In recent years for stock jobbing pur-
poses, that e,general disposition at first
was to withhold full acceptance Of the
story, but when it was confirmed a feel
ing Of deep gloom and profound sorrow
spread over the city, for Mr.. McKinley's.
delightful, personality had endeared him
to the citizens Of Washington, apart from
the official class, in a degree that rarely
has been equalled. 1t was some time be-
fore the full force Of the blow was APP
preciated, the people were stunned and
they could not respond at once and fully
comprehend the extent of the great dis
aster that had fallen on the country and
themselves. -
Steps were at once taken to provide for
the future of the executive branch of the
government. 1t was realized that even
under the most favorable conditions, the
presidents injuries are of such q char
acter as to make it almost certain that
he cannot undertake for long time to
discharge the duties of chief executive.
even in the most formal way Every
member OF the cabinet, able to travel. ia
expected to speed at once to Buffalo, and
there cabinet council will be held to de-
eide upon the. course to be followed by
the executive branch. Vice President
Roosevelt, of course, will hold himself in
readiness to do whatever is necessary and
to meet the obligations imposed
Upon. the Vice President
py the constitution of the United States.
ahese are contained in paragraph g. sec
ton !, article 2. in the following words:
o. In case of the removal Of the pres
ioent from office, or Of his death, res
1gnatton. or inability to discharge the
powers and duties Of the said office. the
same snail devolve on the vice president.
etc."
Under the terms of this article as soon
as Mr. Roosevelt shall be assured by
proper authority. probably in this case
ny the senior member Of the cabinet.
secretary Hay, who doubtless will be in
ounalo by this evening. he will under
lake at once in a provisional way to dig.
charge such duties as may devolve on
MIN. Much will depend upon the report
of the physicians upon the character Of
the presidents injuries, as to the extent
to which Mr.. Roosevelt will discharge the
presidential duties, If he shall undertake.
them at all, and it is almost certain that
IN the absence Of great emergency in
public affairs. even if called to assume
these obligations, the vice president will
conf1ne himself in the exercise of his DOW
ers to the discharge of the most routine
and Indispensable functions
For the present the thought Of fatal
termination Of the presidents condition
IS referred to with awe-like apprehension.
ana there Is a hopeful, even prayerfuY,
anticipation that there. may be no need
for meeting those grave emergencies
which would follow fatal termination
Of the tragic event.