Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-11-13

an eleCUOTdl COneBe. lneTe are as many |
electoral colleges as there are states.
The territories and the District of Co
lumbia have no presidential vote.
Suppose candidate should die be-
tween the November election and the
date of the assembling of the electoral
collegep
The electors would probably receive !
instructions from a national convention |
or from recognized party leaders. In
1872, when Greeley, the minority candi-
date, died after the election, his votes
were scattered. Six Georgia electors, for
instance, voted for B. Gratz Brown and
three for Greeley. The Greeley votes
were rejected by congress Thomas A.
Hendricks and Brown divided the votes
that had been intended for Greeley.
After the voting what is done?
A certified copy is sent by special mes
senger to Washington. On the second
Wednesday in FEBRUARY congress meets
to count the votes and to announce the
election.
If there is dispute over the electoral
vote of certain states, as there was in
| e76, what is done?
In 1887 congress enacted law provid-
ing that if doubtful returns should be
sent in, the one should be received which
has the certificate of state tribunal APP
pointed to canvass the vote-that is, it is
left to state authorities to decide whether
the electoral votes are cast by electors
duly chosen.
How are the number of electors for
each state chosen:
Each state has as many as it has sena-
tors and representatives.
Does the constitution prescribe how
electors must be chosen?
No. 1t leaves this to the states
Are they not always voted for on a
general ticket?
They happen to be now but legisla-
ture may provide differently. In 1875
the Colorado legislature chose the state
electors. Mr.. Thomas Watson said the
other day that under the laws of Georgia
if no ticket receives majority in Georgia
the choice of electors is thrown into the
legislature. In 1892 Michigan voted on
its electors by congressional districts.
How do states sometimes split their
electoral votes
Occasionally popular elector will re-
ceive enough complimentary votes TO
elect him even if his fellows ON the tick
ct are defeated Sometimes mistakes in
, marking ballots will result in divided
"a electoral vote in q close state.
What determines the date Of the
national election;
In 1915 congress prescribed that it he
held ON the Tuesday after the first Mon
day in November. Before that time
some of the states held elections on diff
ferent days.
Does plurality in the electoral colleges
:. elect
e No. The constitution provides that il
s no candidates shall receive majority Of
! the electoral votes the election shall bt
n thrown into the house, the three highest
d candidates only being voted on.
{, How does the house vote?
II 1t votes by states, majority of thu
g members from each state casting its vote
Has an election ever been thrown int,
3, the house?
st Yes, twice. In 1900. when jefferson
g was elected, and in 1924, when JOIN
er Quincy Adams became president.
.s Is there any justification for election
by states rather than by direct popula
lie vote?
d Yes. Election by states is probabl
Pr fairer to the country as whole. Other
ar wise some limited section of the countr
" would acquire undue influence. Thu
the manufacturing state of Pennsylvani
may give as huge republican vote as
peases, but it can deliver only thirty
g four electoral votes. Under the preser
Of system no president can be chosen VIII
in who has not supporters in about half til
it. states # he union -Kansas CITY Star.