Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-29
SUCCESSOR OF PRESIDENT
SHOULD NOT BE KNOWN
VALDOSTA, Ga, Dec. Is, ~.
fIapta Journal.

VALDOSTA, Ga, Dec. 1S, 1902.
Editor Atlanta Journal:
Our presidents have varied in capacl-
ty from the beginning; though 1t is not
recorded that there was ever one IN that
high office who was incompetent, when
a crisis arose calling for alertness In
guarding the honor of the people OF the
United States against a foreign foe. There
was, at one time, some fear felt as to
William Mckinley, and II was with ap-
prehension the public beheld his seeming
indifference to the action Of the Span
iards. In time, il was disclosed that Mr.
Mckinley was alert and alive to every
call for duty. and fully equipped to per
form his part as executive head OF this
nation
II is to be hoped that we shall never be
disappointed in our expectation of his
successors, and that in the end, although
alarm may exist and apprehension may
arise 10 disturb us because of apparent
indifference to that which concerns US
so greatly. The people should, however,
knew and regard the fact that it is posi-
BILE in a republic for the unexpected TO
happen. 1T might occur otherwise even
when the most was expected. No writ
ten or spoken word can inform the people
what a man will amount TO on test OF
an emergency.
There is one weakness in our govern
ment. If a president be removed by as
sassination, violent or secret. the success
sor is known, whereas. under such cir
cumstances, a special electoral college
should be convened. say Of the governors
of the individual states, the judges OF the
supreme courts, the senators and repre-
sentatives of the congress OF the United
States, that a successor may be named
by vote.
BY one Of my letters published in your
paper in the issue of August p, 1902, ex-
planned that Germany, England, Portugal
and Japan formed an international COM
munity of interest-fOur kingdoms in
position of Offense and defense like, in
some resepcts, our individual states. Great
Britain is now in arms, having conclud-
ed a successful war and standing ready
to operate for future protection. Germany
has been, since 1900, in the throes OF
''hard times" and the necessity for a war
is great in order TO give vent to unrest
and discomfort that might cause civil
revolution.
II il should ever happen, in time like
this and under such conditions as now
exist, that the president was of .defec-
tive nature in emergencies. one for in
stance that the hand of flattery could put
to sleep, or one to be beguilded by de-
fusion. who, while danger threatened, re-
sorted to fictitious was as, for instance,
even when Spain was seeking with an
army to restore Florida to her dominion,
our army was lodging about in friendly
war play in the far west and while our
enemies navies were bloekading ports ana
acquiring one position after another of ad-
vantage to US. our vessels of war were
running by each other in navy war play
IN far away ports and seas, our position
would be a lamentaDle one indeed.
VIII il be said that, IL such was the
case, the congress would be alert and
quick to act for the common good? This
might not be the case. The senators and
representatives might be so dependent up
on an administration for favors, or so far
the representatives of the merchandising
and speculative interest as to be the silent
agents Of the special class interest and not
alert TO the interest of the nation and peo-
pie in regard to the things that concern
its ambition. greatness and independence
in the future.
To my mind, In such an hour. the help
of the nation would be in the governors
of the individual states. Among them
there would perhaps be found some one
alert for the nation and, on a call to each
other for consultation and advice. some
remedy would be put forth to avert the
evil at hand and bring our government
into shape and put her upon a safe basis
of protection and defense.
E. WAKELEY.