Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-10-31
Seven Mentioned to
Succeed Sherman

WASHINGTON oct 31-Genuine
sorrow was felt by men of all political
parties today over the death of Vice
President Sherman.
For the third time within the past
thirteen years the United States IS
without a vice president today as the
result Of the death Of Mr.. Sherman.
Flags on the government buildings
were at half mast and the bust of Mr.
sherman in the vice presidential gal
lery at the capitol was draped in flu
neral black Following suggestions
from President Taft. all the heads OF
the departments issued orders calling
for mourning observances for the next
month. and all embassies legations and
consulates throughout the world were
Informed to lower their flags in honor
Of the nations dead. ~-t
This order also was sent to the com
manders of all battleshps and the other
vessels belonging to the government.
Third Vacancy in Thirteen Years.
In conjunction with discussion of the
vice presidents death official Wash
ington today speculated widely upon
the effect which his demise would have
upon the government and senatorial
procedure The constitution, which
provides for successors to the presi-
dency, even unW the ninth genera
. ton makes no such provision for the
vice president, so that the United States
will be without A secondary head until
March 4 next. This is the third time it
has happened in the past decade and d
half, Garrett A. Hobart having died IN
1890 and Theodore Roosevelt having
become president in 1901 upon the death
Of President Mckinley. No vice presi-
dents were appointed to succeed either
of these men.
There has been no intimation from
the Republican national committee as
to who shall succeed Mr.. Sherman. His
name probably will be kept upon the
national ticket, so voters will be in the
position of voting for dead man.
Mr. sherman was the seventh vice
president to die in office. and as the
constitution does not provide Tor a sue
cessor to a vice president, there can be
no vice president until March 4, 1913
The duties of vice president are as
sumed by the president pro TEN. of the
senate, but, owing to a long standing
deadlock, there is no president pro tenn.
now.
Knox Would Be Acting President.
The constitution provides that in the
event of the president being incapaci-
tated the vice president succeeds him.
Under present conditions. should Pres
ident Taft be incapacitated, Secretary
Knox would become acting president.
1t is likely the senate will come to
some sort of agreement this winter
and elect presiding officer.
Selection of a successor to Mr.. Sher-
man on the national ticket can not be
made until after the general election.
The Republican national committee
probably will be called to meet on No
vember IL in Chicago to make a selec-
ton.
After the Republican national com
mittee makes its selection, the success
sor to Mr. Sherman will be indorsed by
the presidential electors.
Among the possible successors to Mr.
Sherman mentioned so far are John
Wannamaker, of Philadelphia: Gov
ernor Hadley, of Missouri Governor
Deneen, of Illinois; Senator Borah,
Senator Cummins, former Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks, and Senator Root. of
New York