The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-11
ELECTORAL VOTES
COUNTED In HOUSE
Two Branches of Congress
Meet in Joint Session.
DISTINGUISHED CROWD THERE
Formal Election of President and
Vice President Brings Cheers from
Republicans and Democrats as Vote
for Taft or Bryan Are Announced
sherman Holds Reception.

Even since November It has been a
standard Joke Of MI William Il Taft
that nobody would know who was TO be
the next President OF the United States
until after the Senate and the House Of
Representatives in joint session c4nvsssed
the vote OF the electoral college, and GER
ufed 70 the choice Of the electors.
That joke OF Mr. Tafrs became nuH
and void yesterday. when the Senate and
the House got together and formally
certified 20 the fact that William Howard
Taft. OF the State of. Ohio had received
81 electoral votes for President. against
Is2 votes for Tiniam Jennings Bryan. OF
the State OF Nebraska Mr. Taft IS now
the Presi6snt-elect OF the United States.
and James sehoolcraft Sherman is the
Vice President-elsct.
The ceremony OF canvasSing the cleo
toral vote was a rather solemn affair, and
Intentionally so. for Vice President Fair
banks, who presided al the joint ses-
sion. made It known that i was an &C.
casion OF TOO great moment 10 be con-
Quoted otherwise than with dignity and
decorum. Nevertheless. the prosiness had
a rift or two in it. for any proceeding
IN the House Of Representatives. outside
Of a funeral service. is bound 70 have
a humorous side from the standpoint OF
many Of the House members, aided and
abetted BY the galleries.
Nebrasks for Tafts
There were two things that occurred
during yesterdays ceremonies that
tickled the spectators nightly One was
when Senator julius Caesar Burrows. of
Michigan. a teller on the part OF the
Senate. formally announced. through e.
Tor. OF course that Bfr. Bryan's STATE.
Nebraska. had cast its electoral vote
for Nr. Taft
The other had 20 Go with the mistake
made by somebody in the secretary Of
states Office out AZ Madison, Wis. in
certifying that the electoral vote Of Wis
consin had been cast for William How
ara Taft. "of New York"
As the certificate made It appear that
both Presidential and Vice Presidential
candidates VINO received Wisconsin's vote
were from New York. and IS the ConsH-
tuition OF the United States forbids the
election OF two men from the same State
to the Office Of President and Vice Presi-
dent e constitutional problem vas pre-
sented that had to be adjusted quickly.
I The adjustment was brought about
through getting the Senate and the House
/ 10 give unanimous consent TO correct the
certificate so as 70 show that Mr.. Taft
cane from Ohio and not from New York.
Cheers for Sherman.
Ire only lively occurrence in the pro
oeedings came Just after the formal cere-
monisl was over. On motion CT Repre-
sentative Loudenslager. of New Jersey.
the House took recess Of five minutes
TO enable the Senator's 10 retire to their
end OF the Capitol. AS soon as the recess
was ordered Loudenslager waved his
hands in the air and yelled. Three cheers
for jim Sherman
The cheers were given in a good and
hearty fashion. Democratic members join
ing with their Republican brethren.
The Honorable jim" Cmost everybody
who knows him veil calls him JIM. who
was present by virtue Of his right as a
member Of the House, blushed a deepe,
red. while his legislative associates gath
cred around him and patted him on the
hack
Then they sang For He's a Jolly Good
Fellow" AS nobody attempted TO DENY
Il, the recess was declared 10 be at ar
end. the House resumed consideration OF
routins business. and things went on as
before
Galleries Packed.
The ceremony Of canvssslng the elec-
toral votes took place in the House Of
Representatives When the members OF
the Senate marched into ths House at
o'clock, the galleries we're packed and
tammed. and the only vacant places on
the floor were the seats reserved for the
Senator's Ninety Democratic member.
moved out of their regular places and
we're accommodated with chairs in the
rear on the minority side. and their seat.
were filed by those from the Upper House
Most Of the spectators in the galleries
were women. They outHumbered the rneT
/ spectators by about twenty TO one Tns
Overwhelming number OF white shiri
/ Continued on Page 3, Column 3.
Special prlcea for the small buyer,