Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1924-08-01

vista Journal by EoW2f0 feTcy
Howard. Thru Autocaster Service
Fancy q conservative newspaper
publishing on It's first page = story
to the effect that neither Coolidge
nor Davis nor La Toilette will be
elected President OF the United
States in November. At first glance
such a statement might seem out
side the realm Of possibility. but the
political situation is complex and the
election machinery such that 1t does
not require much Imagination to
foresee the possibility. II not the
probability. OF such q situation. Al
most anything may happen in Nov
ember.
There are 53l votes In the Elec-
toral College. The electoral col
Iage IL composed of electors from
each state. equal in number to the
number OF Senators and Repre-
sentatives to which the state is en-
titled. For example. New York
state has two Senators and - Rep
rcsentatives. Therefore. New York
has forty-five votes In the electoral
college. The total membership OF
the electoral college equals the
total membership OF the Senate and
House-53l. In voting 1t will be
remembered that the people vote
for the electors of their states. these
names appearing on the ballot. and
not those Of Coolidge or Davis or
La Toilette.
The Constitution provides that a
majority OF these 53l electoral
votes, or 2s6. is necessary to the
choice OF Il President. The person
having the greatest number OF
votes. OF course. wins when there
are only two candidates in the field.
but with three the complexities be-
gin.
Here Is the constitutional clause:
THE person having the creates,
number OF votes lin the Electoral
Coliege) for President shall be the
President. II such number be \ ma-
jority OF the whole number OF eiec-
tors appointed: and II no person
having such majority. then from the
persons having the highest numbers,
not exceeding three. on the list OF
those voted for as President. the
House OF Representatives shall
choose Immediately BY ballot. the
President"
1ascting 4 President.
Now let Us turn to the situation.
II the candidate receiving merely
the largest number Of electoral
votes could be chosen. then the -.
try Of La Follette into the field
would Be unimportant. according "a
ssbiased and astute political judges,
But this 10 not the case. and there
are many political observers who re-
gard II A. highly unlikely that .
majority OF the electoral vote will
be won by any OF the candidates.
The second Monday following
January the electors In each state
chosen At the November election
meet In their respective state cap
itois and declare for their csndi.
dates. The votes will then be sent
BY messenger to the presideot Of
the Senate In Washington. They
viii be counted on the second Wed.
nesday In February before tho joint
session OF the House and Senate.
Then the result will he announc.
ed. II no candidat. has a majority
two hundred and sixty-six votes.
then the House of Representatives
must Immediately convene for the
purpose OF chosing n President. This
choice being limited 10 the three
highest candidates. would mean
that the House would have only ths
option Of choosing one. either Davis
Coolidge or La Foiistts.
How Nouse Votes.
Here 10 where tho election ma.
ehinery takes on . different color
There IL no voting by individuals
IN the House. Moreover. each STATE
has only ops vote. Rhode island',
vote equals that Of New York. Th'
vote Of each state IL determined b,
q majority Of the Conereasioaa
Representatives In that state. ThiI
polnt graspsd let Il be remsmbsFs<
that the "biocs" ID several dslsga
tleas hold The balance Of power
Thre The L. Holistss- WAooSov saa
h11sey bsss0eo eeoslhie0 - d