Norwich bulletin., 1912-10-30

Washington, Oct. 29.-Deep interest was manifested today throughout Washington in the condition of Vice President Sherman at Utica. His ill., ness was the subject of repeated in quiry at the White house and was dis cussed at the cabinet meeting. Con- fidence was expressed in many quar- ters that the vice president would re- cover, although the most optimistic did not expect him to be in the chair when the senate reconvenes in Decem- Der.
 No New Problem in Senate.
 The absence of the presiding officer, however, will give the senate no new problem to solve. The bitter fight over the election of president pro tenn. just ended last session in an agreement to have Senator Gallinger, New Hampshire, republican, and Sen ator Bacon, Georgia, democrat, alter nately in the chair. Just before con- gress adjourned Senator Bacon was chosen to serve as president pro tenn. until December 16 and the understand ing is the rotation with Senator Gal finger will continue indefinitely.
 Studying the Possibilities.
 Students of constitutional procedure and of the American electoral system busied themselves today with inves- tigation of the complications which would arise should the vice presidents illness result fatally or compel his withdrawal before the election.
 No precedents were found covering the situation of the withdrawal or death of a vice presidential nominee before the November election.
 Inasmuch as party procedure is not governed by statute some of the par 1iamentarians said the party had the legal right to handle the situation in whatever manner 1t pleased. The opin- ion was expressed that this would result in the national or executive committee selecting a substitute can- ballot in states where the tickets have not already been sent to the press.
 The Case of Horace Greeley.
 The discussion which arose over the death of Horace Greeley in 1872 was recalled in the investigation today. His death occurred after the Novem- Der election, but before the electoral college met to select a president and vice president. The ability of electors to vote for others than those nominat- ed by the party convention or whose names had been printed on the bal lot, was then demonstrated, many democratic electors voting for others than Greeley. The Georgia electors conceived it their duty to vote fol Greeley, although he was dead. The senate decided that the Georgia vote should be counted, but the house voted that 1t should not.
 Votes for Dead Man Must Be Counted It is contended that since congress amended the manner of canvassing the ballots in 1887 as result of the Hayes -Tilden contest, votes for g candidate dying between the Novem- Der election and the meeting of tht electoral college on the second Mon. day in January, must be counted by congress unless they are held to b, votes not regularly given" The law says That no electoral vote or vote. from any state which shall have beer regularity given. from which bu one return has been received, shall b, rejected"
 A Situation Not Provided For.
 The most serious condition which could develop, it is said, would b, from the death of a choice of the cleo toral college between the time the col lege voted on the second Monday il January. and the inauguration ol MATCH 4. Iue COnSIlLutlOn autnOrlZe congress to provide by the law for tn performance of the dutiesSof presiden in cases of removal, death, resigna tion, or inability of a president an, vice president. but does not declar what officer shall act as president il case of anything unforeseen occurrinj 10 the president elect or vice presi elect, or expressly authorizes con gross to do. Some parliamentarian contend, however, that congress woul have power to act under the claus which enables 1t to pass such laws a are necessary and proper to carry in 10 effect the powers granted the fed eral government.
 Republicans Might Have to Vote fe
 Democrat.
 Should there be no election of vice president by the electoral colleg and a vice presidential candidate di subsequent to their voting, the selec tion would be limited to the two can didates receiving the largest numbe of votes, under the constitution Shpuld a vice presidential candidat, 0ho was one of the two highest o tAe list die. senators of his part might be required to vote for tn candidate of the other party. A vic president elected under such circun stances would become president if tl electoral college and house of reprt sentatives had not elected a preside1 by March 4.