The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-02-13
COUNTING THE
ELECTORAL VOTE
THE ACT is PERFuNcroRY BUT
HIGHLY IMPORTANT.
WILSON RECEIVES 435 VOTES
recedure Prescribed by Constitution
and Supplement by Statutes was
Strictly Followed in the
Canvass of Today.

| Washington, Feb. 12.-The perfect
ly perfunctory but highly important
task of declaring Woodrow Wilson
and Thomas r. Marshall elected presi
dent and vice president, respectively
of the United States, was performed
here today at a Joint session of the
senate and house. Officially Wilson
and Marshall hadn't been elected un,
til after today's session. The meeting
was a highly dignified affair, as be.
fitted a ceremonial prescribed by the
CONSTITUTION. The President pro
tempore of the senate, Senator Bacon,
sternly announced that there must be
no applause from the floor or galleries,
but occasionally some enthusiastic in
dividual had the temerity to ignore
the order.
The joint session held that Wilson
J ceived 455 votes in the electoral col.
lege, Roosevelt So, and Taft 8.
Rigorous procedure, prescribed by
the Constitution and supplementary
statutes, was strictly followed in to-
days canvass of the votes. 1t was
the supreme and final act of law really
making" Wilson and Marshall the ma
years. The inauguration to follow is
but the formal aftestation by oath of
the new executives promising obedi-
ence to the Constitution and laws of
THE country and faithful execution of
their trusts, and their ceremonial in
duction into office.
| One o'clock was the hour set by law
today for the formal canvass of the
Votes. Long before, in fact early this
morning, eager crowds of spectators
bombarded the doors of the house gal
lery to secure entrance. Admission
was limited to those bearing men,
bers' cards.
! The ceremonies today were entirely
in the house chamber, as prescribed
by law in 1887. Before noon every
available seat in the public galleries,
stairways and outer corridors was
filled with struggling, settling human
ity Hundreds Stood outside, able
only to hear the muffled droning of
the formal counting of votes.
The senate end of the Capitol was
deserted Long before 100 o'clock
sprinkling of senators were on the
house floor. Promptly at 100 O'Clock
Senator Bacon, Of Georgia, acting
president pro tempore of the senate,
and named by law to preside over the
joint session, mounted the marble
Speakers rostrum. The gavel was
turned over to him by Speaker Clark.
Bacon then formally announced the
purpose of the joint session-to can
yaSS the votes cast in the electoral
college" Jan. Is. and ascertain if a
president and vice president had been
elected last November
Speaker Clark took seat at Ba-
cons left. The senators were seated
at the right of the rostrum and the
Representatives at the left. Four tell
ers-two each from the senate and
house-occupied seats at the desk OF
the clerk of the house. With them
were seated Clerk Bennett of the SEN
ate and Clerk Trimble of the house.
Other officers Of the senate and house
marshalled by the respective ser.
geants-at.arms, were assembled on
either side of the platform.
On the Speakers green-baize desk
was high stack of papers and sealed
envelopes. These contained the Off
cial certificates of the electoral votes,
sent by mail and messenger to the
president of the senate.
"The canvass of the votes will now
begin" Senator Bacon announced,
hushing the loud hum of conversation
which swept from floor to galleries.
A clerk began opening the envel.
Iopes at Bacon's elbow. These were
arranged in the alphabetical order of
the As states. They We're read by Ba,
con and passed to the tellers at the
clerks desk, who recorded and tailed
the votes.
Alabama casts IL votes for Wood
row Wilson and IL for Thomas r.
Marshall" was the announcement
which started a ripple of applause i'm
mediately being hushed by Bacon's
gavel. This, the home state of Major
ity Leader Oscar Underwood, of the
house, who was candidate at Balti
more against Gov. Wilson. was the
signal for the first outbirsc of pent
lup democratic ecstacy.
Bull Moose" partisans got theil
first chance TO cheer for Col. Roose
welt when the California vote was an
nounced. The 'progressives" from
that state applauded, despite pound
ing of the gavel. President Taft's
partisans were forced to wait vel
down the list of states for their dem
onstration. .
Nicholas Murray Butler was tho
vice presidential candidate named b.
electors for Utah and Vermont a!
President Taft's running mate. Vic'
President Sherman died after thu
nominations and il was necessar!
that some candidate be selected to I'll
his place on the official Statements
certified by the states.
Upon the completion of the call o
states. Senator Bacon formally an
nounced the vote and declared tn,
elections of Wilson and Marshall. TIL,
joint session was then adjourned
sine die.
Under the law Bacon's announce
ment Is decided to be "a sufficien
declaration of election"
! Iodayls proceedings We're instituted