Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-01-18
CROWDS ATTEND
THE ELECTION
Social Functions Mingle
With Political Work of
Senators and Deputies;
Palace Hall Crowded.
Versailles, France, Jan. II. -
Premier Poincare was elected
president Of the French republic
BY the national assembly held
here today.

Versailles. Jan. 17.-Premier Ray
mond Poincare received 429 votes and
Jules Pans 327 votes on the first bal
lot for the election of new presi-
dent of the republic. Another ballot
was thus rendered necessary as
neither obtained an absolute majority
of the total vote. The number neces-
sary for election is 435.
The details of the ballot were as
follows: Raymond Poincare. 429;
Jules Pans. 327; Marie Eduard Vail
liant. So; Paul Deschanel, 1S; Felix
Ribot. 16: Leon Bourgeois. 4; Alexander
Millerand, 8; Alfred Mascuraud, 2;
Theophile Delcasse. q; Antonin Du-
bost, 1: Henri Rochefort, 1; Blanks, s..
The second ballot began Immediately.
\>SThe result Of the second ballot was:
Raymond Poincare, 483 (elected):
Jules Pans, 296; Marie Eduard Vail
liant, 50.
~ Versailles is Thronged.
Senators and deputies Of France ar
Z 4ved throughout the forenoon today
to take part In the election Of q new
president Of the republic. President
Fallieres' seven year term expires on
Feb. IS. Nominally S97 representa-
tives Of the people we're entitled to
vote today In the national assembly
convened in the ancient residence OF
the kings of France. These official
electors include 597 deputies and 800
senators, but the number was reduced
ewing to vacancies caused by deaths
rnd designations or by illness.
Large crowds of people who had
come from the capital to watch the
arrivel of the politicians and states
men disturbed the repose of the quiet
little suburban town. AS the favorite
representatives of the people appear
I'd they were greeted with rousing
y,ieers. .n..s. .......--.. ...-.
Most of the senators and deputies
came out from Paris on special trains
provided by the government and a few
arrived in motor cars or carriages.
With them came some 1,500 relatives
and friends and persons notable In
Official society. --,. 'a..
Premier Raymond Poincare and the
members of his cabinet arrived to-
gether some hours before voting be-
gan. Jules Pans, the minister Of agri-
culture, was not among them. He had
sent to the premier early in the morn
ing a note containing his resignation
from the cabinet and notification that
he had accepted the candidacy for the
presidency of the republic.
Davis Succeeds Pans.
Premier Poincare Immediately de-
signated Fernand Davis, at present
minister Of commerce, to take over
the portfolio of agriculture. For
several months preparation had been
under way for the sitting Of the ma
tional assembly. Although there is a
permanent force of men at the palace
whose business it is to keep the build
Ing in readiness for such elections,
much had been left to be completed at
the last moment.
It was thought on this occasion, ow-
ing to the multiplicity of candidates
that had been mentioned that several
ballots would be necessary. Accord
ing to the constitution, if three ballots
are cast without result the candi-
date then holding the highest total
Of votes is chosen as president.
Out Of the nine presidential elec-
tions which have been held since the
foundation of the third republic in 1870
seven have been decided on the first
ballot. Only at the elections of Sadi-
iCarnot in 1887 and of Felix Faure in
1896, were two ballots necessary.
Each ballot occupies almost three
hours, as the deputies and senator's
are called upon separately in alpha
betical order to place their ballot pa
pers In the urns.
Palace Decorated.
The interior of the palace which
dates from the time of Louis XIV. was
brilliantly decorated The floor of the
congress hall itself was arranged with
800 chairs covered with dark leather.
No special seats were assigned to the
members Of the two chambers who
stook their places in accordance with
stheir political groupings.
4 Outside the palace in the spacious
fgrounds, there was great animation all
sday, thea park being filled with motor
cars anA carriages while many liv-
cried dssnestics and thousands of curl
GUS fc,signers wandered about. These