New-York tribune., 1905-01-03
ELECTION FEBRUARY 5.
Formal Ballots for Roosevelt and
Fairbanks WM BE Counted Then.
IrRoM The TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

washington, Jan. 2-Theodore Roosevelt and
Charles Warren Fairbanks win be elected Presi-
dent and Vice-Presieent OF the United States on
Wednesday, February S. when the Senate ana
HOUSE Of Representatives will meet in joint ses-
SION count the electoral votes and declare the cleo
tion OF the successful candidates. This declaration
vii. be entered IN the journals OF both houses
ana win constitute the only official record OF their
election.
Although Roosevelt and Fairbanks virtually
elected on November S technically they have not
yet received the votes which win make them Pres
sdent and Vice President for the next Presidential
term The votes which actually elect the President
and Vice-Presideut viii be cast on Monday, Janu-
sry g. when the successful electors in each State
will meet and their ballots in accordance with
the instructions of the conventions which nomi-
mated them. These meetings VIII ne held at the
State capitals and in accordance with the law,
fhree certificates Of the result will be executed
one of which will be Immediately forwarded by
snaal TO the President OF the Sena-e. a second to
zhe President OF the Senate by special messenger,
and the third deposited with the federal judge OF
the District. These precautions are taken TO pre-
vent the possibility Of the loss Of the certificate
by theft accident
The 5oint meeting Of the Senate and House. which
Is held in the House chamber. is a dignihed and
Impressive afair. The President Of the Senate pre-
sides occupying The Speakers chair, while the
Speaker occupies a chair at the presidents left
The Senators sit in a body at the right OF the
presiding officer. After the appointment of two
tellers for the Senate and for the House. the
president opens the State certificates in the alpha
betcaI order OF the States, and hands them TO the
Eellers one Of whom reads them. AS each certih-
Cate is read the presiding officer inquiries if there
IS objection 90 its being recorded. and in the
absence OF objection the record is made When
record IS completed the telers inform the pre-
siding officer OF Their totals and he then makes a
Eor1nal announcement Of the vote and the candi-
6Rtes elected. his announcement being entered in
she journals and constituting the official record OF
election.
The possibility OF question being raised regarding
the validity OF the Maryland certificates which will
show one Republican and seven Democratic cleo
foIs, has been discussed but ii is highly i'm
probable that the certificate viii be challenged.
Should objection be made a recess would be taken
End the discussion of the subject carried by
Senators and Representatives in their chambers,
to debate is permissible in the joint session Nor
could the debate be materially prolonged the
esw permits no recess extending beyond the next
calendar day. while after the fifth day the session
snust be continuous
The informal agreement already reached not to
question the validity Of the Maryland certificates is
doubtless due 10 .the overwhelming majority re-
ceVed by the Republican ticket, and there is rea-
son 10 believe that We're Maryland's vote essential
40 the election OF either candidate the existing cir
Dumstanoes would precipitate a lively and perhaps
Congress has the right 10 back of the returns OF
6SeTden ease ii 9 was decSeS that the face Of
The returns should be accepted although the de-
cisoa did little definitely 10 settle the mooted ques-
tion In 1856 certain irregularities in the method OF
Elec1uE electors IN Wisconsin caused Objection 10
be raised ana the pTesldlng o1cer passed over tat
State and proceeded with the count; 1t soon be,
came apparent that buchanan had been elected
president without the vote OF Wisconsin. and the
objection Withdrawn.
7 While the Republican leaders have determined in
formally not 10 question the Maryland certificates
formal decision can be reached in advance Of
Nle Official count, ana any member Of House or
Senate who chose could object when the Mary
eand certificates We're read. but, there ample
votes elect Roosevelt ana Fairbanks without
Maryland. il Is assumed that the presiding officer
ruOuld follow the precedent OF 1851, and that Mary
Bands vote would eventually be counted as certi-
ned.
: Although promising to be neither sensational nor
epectacuar the solemnity OF the joint session OF
Ehe two houses OF Congress VIII attract a large
iRudience and II has already been determined 70
admit visitors TO the galleries only by special
card As IS usual under such circumstances, the
scene than the floor Of the chamber, and the eX-
ecutiVe and diplomatic galleries viii prove centre
greater than the sOmbre garOed
and digni6ed body the AOOr of the House.
1l,e-e viii he a alu,rCroTlq side to tina urrNeed-
3IgH 10 those who acquainted with q bet made
fhw Speaker Cannon and q member Of the House
when Mr.. Cannon was elected Speaker member
congratulated MIN on the honor, ana said:
Il trust, Uncle Joe, that you VIII never be guilty
of stepping out Of the chair which have just
elected you and permitting visiting Senator TO
occupy 81"
II certainly never will" declared the Speaker
with unge OF acerbity.
- viii bet you q dinner for the three OF that
cyOu Will" exclaimed another member, who had
bet declaring his unalterable determination never
40 yield the Speakers chair 10 member Of the
6enate. and inrinating that he would cheerfully
welcome DerdltiOn rather than do When the
ceremony February is completed Speaker
cannon. member OF the Committee Appropria-
flOns and a third member Of the House VIII enjoy
restaurants. and Uncle Joe" viii foot the bill