The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-03

f>a President of the United States by the House of Representatives rather than by the people-a possibility this year--was reality exactly 100 years ago.
 In 1924 third party, or inde- pendent nominee, may nullify the neople's vote and thrust the election into the house. In 1924 four nomi- nees did this.
 What followed is related by De of century ago. The 1924 candi- dates were John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts, 1ecretary of state !; Henry Clay of Kentucky, speaker of the House of Representatives William H. Crawford of Georgia, secretary of the treasury, and Gen. Andrew Jack son of Tennessee, hero of the War of 1872.
 "Old Hickory" Launches Campaign Each nominee received the votes of his own section and practically no more, so no one boiled majority of all electoral votes. In such an emer- gency the House must choos ca presi- dent from the three persons who re- ceived most votes. the constitution pro- vides. Adams, Crawford and Jackson, therefore, remained in the contest; Clay was eliminated.
 "Old Hickory Jackson hurried to the national capital, where his two rivals already were campaigning to win a majority in the House.
 On the floor of the House, Jackson ians declared that the duty of the House of Representatives to it's con- stituents demanded Jsckson's election.
 Jackson Get Most Votes
 He had received more of the peo- ple's votes than any other nominee, even if his total was not majority, they pointed out. Spokesmen of Adams and Crawford replied that the constitu- tion allows representatives to follow their own inelinations in balloting for chief executive.
 "Old Hickory's' friends next at lacked Speaker Clay! Clay, whose constituents were for Jackson,. was ae- cused of selling, all the votes he con trolled to Adams for Adams promise to make him secretary of state. This charge was made in an open letter to the Philadelphia Columbian Observer. The accuser's name was withheld, but the editor declared the letter to be from a member of the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania"
 Clay retaliated quickly. His defense. published in the Washington National Intelligencer, stated that he believed the letter a forgery, but eff it be gem uine I pronounce the member of Con- gress, whoever he may be, a base and infamous caluminator, a Gastard and liar; and if he dare unveil him. self and avow his name, will hold him responsible,as here admit myself to be, to all the laws which govern and regulate the conduct of men of honor"
 Speaker Clay was challenging a fel- low congressman to duel. Blood and steel now were to play a part in a presidential campaign which usually drew only words. Before CIay's ac- .euser hsd made himself known New York newspapers published this ru- nor:
 "A report has just. reached town that Henry Clay has fallen in a duel fought with Darlington, the represen- tative from Chester county, Pa, who, it is said, acknowledged himself to De the author of the letter to which MT. Clay took exception. We hope it may be only a report. for the honor of our nation as well as for Mir. Clay" The rumor was far in advance of the facts. No duel had been fought yet and, instead of Darlington, Repre- sentative George Kremer of Pennsyl- vania professed authorship of the letter. Substitution of Kremer for Darlington as Clay's opponent in the proposed duel increased hearsay be- cause Kroner was regarded as the best marksman in Congress. F
 Speaker Is Ridiculed
 But Henry Clay still had a trump card. Did he ask Kremer to choose his weapon? No. He asked for a congressional investigation of the en- tire affair.
 Ridicule rained upon Clay as he re- treated from the field of honor. A sample, from the Washington Gazette, KREMER, THE DUTcHMAN, AND
 CLAY
 1 Clay got mad as the devil at Kremer
 for why? He called him a turncoat; says Clay,
 Sir, you lie.
 But though always reckoned a Ken
 lucky horse,
 When brought to the test. Henry
 bolted the course.
 II
 MT. Kremer's the best shot in the
 state,
 Every boy knows his gun to be certain
 as fate;
 And as every man callenged his wea-
 -pons may chuse.
 Kremer did so, and reckoned Clay
 couldn't refuse.
 Oh, then. had you seen with what
 noble diSdain
 MT. Clay thought it best from the
 fight to refrainy~ l am sure you'd have never raised
 any objection
 for protection.
 Clay Takes Charge
 President Gaillard repeated the tel. lers' report to both Houses and con cluded:
 No person has received a majority of all votes cast for president of the United States. Andrew Jackson. John Quincy Adams and William Fl. Craw- ford are the three persons who received possibly Montana, the vote of which