The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-02-23

ter accepting Cn6 once or secretary OF
war, President Washington appointed
him secretary of state. I will not re-
view his services while in this Office, as
the controversies between Hamilton,
secretary of the treasury, and himself
would be ample for paper in ITSELF
In the latter part of 1898 we again find
him retiring from politics and returning
to his farm, where he even refused
newspapers because he said he was
happier without them. However, JEFF
ferson was not allowed to enjoy life
upon the farm, for at the general elec-
tions of 1896 he was elected vice
president with John Adams as presi-
dent. These two gentlemen clashed
almost as soon as they took the oath of
office and remained at loggerheads $50
to speak, during the remainder of the
presidential term. In the fall elections
of 1901 the votes of the electoral col
lege stood 73 for Jefferson and q for
Burr, while Pinckney had IS and Jay l.
As l understand it the custom of
electing the president and vice presi-
dent at that time was to give the
presidency to the candidate who re-
ceived the most votes in the electoral
college, and whoever received the
second largest vote was elect. vice
president. The equality between JET
ferson and Burr cast the election into
the house of representatives In the
final vote Jefferson received the
majority and remained in office for
two terms, l801-18O9. In the fal! elec-
tlon of 1904 Jefferson and Clinton re-
ceived 162 votes while the federaists
under the leadership of Plnckney and
King received IA votes, which was
ample evidence of the fact that the
country under Jefferson's administra-
tion was prospering and factional
difficulties were fast disappearing.
| Probably no action on the part of
Jefferson so fully describes his honest
conviction as when, OH February Is,
1901, when the results of the electoral
votes were tied he refused to make
any conditions upon which he might
gain the majority vote, stating that he
positively refused to 60 into Office with
his hands tied, nor did he do so.
During his whole official service he
carefully abstained from personal dis
play. When he took the presidential
oath on March 4th, 1901, he rode to the
senate chamber shortly after midnight,
tied his horse to the fence, walked into
the senate chamber alone, made his in
augural address, and took the oath of
office. His official career as president
was wholly devoid of selfishness His
interests and all his best thoughts and
efforts were in the endeavOr to heal all
the sectional differences among the
states, and strengthen the prestige OF
the new republic. At the close of his
second term Jefferson was earnestly
besought by many influential citizens
to become a candidate for third term
i but declined promptly, following the
example set by Washington. He was
slxty-five years of age and had been il
active politics for nearly forty years
and when he retired his reputation anC
popularity was equally as great as thai
, of Washington.
would like to take up the different
events in history during Jeffersoni
presidential administration, but tim,
will not permit. Jefferson lived to th'
ripe old age of 83 years, with a mint
active and clear in his last days. III,
died on July 4th, 1926, but his name still
, lives and will continue to live as lon,
, as yonder document is the corner ston
! of our American Government.
G. L. G.