Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-01-10

Senger. The second copy must be sent
to him through the mails. while the
third copy must be deposited with the
judge of the United States district
court in which the state electoral col
iege meets.
When the two houses of congress
meet in joint session on the second
Wednesday in February TO witness the
counting of the ballots the vice presi-
dent of the United States. who also
is president of the senate acts as pre-
siding officer. The house appoints two
of its members to act as tellers.
Vice President Opens Them.
The president of the senate, that Is
the vice president of the United States,
must open the ballots which have been
returned from the electoral colleges in
the alphabetical order of the states. He
begins therefore with Alabama and
ends with Wyoming. The ballots are
counted and the result is announced.
In case there shall be a challenge of
any of the returns, the objection en-
tered must be set down in writing and
signed by at least one senator and
one member of the house. IF objec-
lions are presented TO the canvassed
vote of any state both the senate and
the house must consider these in sep
arate session"
The counting of the electoral votes
in the house of representatives in the
presence of both bodies of congress is,
except on rare occasions. as in 1876 for
instance, rather cut and dried affair,
but nevertheless il has its interest be-
cause of its sharp contrast of solemnity
and jubllation.
No Undue Luxury in White House.
society writer on a Washing
ton paper has called attention to
gossip which always has been the
rule concerning the housekeeping ar
rangements, the methods of entertain
ing and other things connected with
the domestic arrangements of the
White House during any administra-
ton.
So far as the records go. it can be
said that in no administration of the
United States has the White House
been the scene of such extravagant en-
tertaining or the setting for such
luxury in furnishings as has been the
case at all times in some of the houses
of the extremely rich residents of the
city of Washington. In truth, simplicity
virtually always has marked the house
hold arrangements and TIE entertain
ments of presidents of the United
States.
OF course, a certain amount of cere-
mony must be kept up. Otherwise even
a democratic people would resent what
they might call the niggardl'ness of
chief executive and his family. SIM
plicity is not out of keeping with GER
tain refined elegance.
Roosevelt's Romplno Children.
During the Roosevelt administration
several Of the presidents children were
still in their romping days. 1t happened
one night that the writer of this was
fortunate enough to have an hour or
two with President Roosevelt in his
study on the second floor of the White
House in the evening. No one but the
president and the writer was present
in the room.
The door of the study opened on to
the wide hall which runs from one end
of the White House proper to the
other Up and down that hall the
presidents youngest sons were tearing
like mad with two or three neighbOr-
hood boys along with them. This col
lection of boisterous youths was re-en-
forced by dog which barked louder
than any individual boy could yell.
They were having the time of their
lives.
President Roosevelt went on, SEEM
ingly undisturbed. with his conyersa-
ton, paying no attention to the noise
outside except by an occasional light
ing of the eye which seemed TO indicate
that he liked it. The visitor fell into
the presidents mood. All at once one
of the boys or the dog bumped into
huge screen and sent ii crashing to
the floor. whereat there was yell in
unison and barking of the dog louder
than any baying the moon by any ca
nine in history.
President Roosevelt laughed and
said to mis- visitor, 81 thank goodness
that l have thoroughly natural chill
dren"
This incident is given simply to show
that the presidents household is likely
to be very much like that of any other
American citizen who has a family of
children and who believes In allowing
them to let their spirits loose.
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