Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-27
W|CKERSHAMHOLD
MARSHALL MUST ACT
IF WILSON LEAVES
Former Attorney General
Quotes Section 1 of Arti-
Gle IL. of Constitution.
MAINTAINS THAT ABSENCE
WILL CONSTITUTE INABILITY
Declares He Will Be Powerless
Then to Discharge Duties
Of His Office.
CUES TION OF LIMITATIONS
Praises Wisdom 0f Past Executives
Which Prevented Vital Point
Being Raised Before.
QUESTION OF LIMITATIONS
INV Associated pres.l

NEW YORK. November 2G.--C;corgc
'" Wickersham. formerly Attorney
General In an address here before
educators. lawyers. bankers and ncr-
chants engaged In international trade.
Who are members OF The Council OF
Foreign Relations. advanced The opin-
ION that the Constitution makes il man.
datory upon Vice President Marshall
TO assume tho office OF President it MI
Wilson leaves the United States TO at,
tend the peace conference.
The projected journey OF tho rrcsi-
dent to France and Ills suggested So
lpqtn there for an Indefinite period
said Mr.. Wickcrshan. brings tII. .or
me 'irst time In our history the qucs-
non OF the effect OF such absence ana
81 the powers Of the Vice President
because or such absence"
ine former Attorney General quoted
section OF Article ~ OF tn" United
states Constitution. which. he saih.
prescribed tho made Of proccdur" III
once. his death. resignation or inabil-
ity 10 discharge the duties OF sa id Of
nee He maintained ihat absence OF
me iresident from the sea, OF govern
ability 10 discharge the powers and
duties OF his Office" Within The mean
ing OF the law
According TO MIR wickcrsham. The
Two most important functions the
PRESIDENT has to perform III connection
WIN session oi Congress. at which
time. he held. 'it is the Presidents duty
10 DC n tn" scat of government are:
'f!rst. from time 10 time TO Eiv..
congress information OF the state of
me Union and recommend to their CON
Hidcr1tion such measures as he shall
Judge necessary and eXpedirnt.' and
second, 10 consider bills which SHALL
Save passed. the House Of ReprcsenIa-
iiHes and he Senate. and il he approve.
10 sign lhan,. aud x he d!sapproYe.
10 veto them"
nniNGs Up QUESTION
OF TEN-DAY LIMIT
The ten days provided by the law
wherein the President must return "A
bill or IL automatically becomes law
according Ia Mr.. Wickersham. was in
tended TO give citizens Interested in
the bill an opportunity OF Gommuni
eating their views 10 him. Thus. the
President. he contcndcd. is expected al
Ways 10 be in position TO feel the
pulse OF public sentiment" and IF he
is no, within the country he cannot
htly discharge thoS2 duties"
third consideration. the speaker
continued subsidiary 10 tho others.
tut nom the less Important is in
reference 10 ;hr exercise by the Presi-
dent OF function in connection with
legislation. III case o; disagreement
hctWc-n tho TWO honSes TO time Of
adjournment: he said. the Pres i'll dcnt
may adjourn them 10 such time as
admitted. had never been exercised in
the past because the President al
WAYS has hrcn at the scat al govern
mcni wh"n Congress was in session.
Mr. Wtchcr>haW. ia these points. de-
rlarcd the absence Of thu rrrsldcni in
tUrorc. would conSiiiul" an inability
10 discharge the powers ana duties OF
his Office