Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-08
CHAPTER Xxx

CHAPTER xxx
ID incident in American history
parallels the few days in which
the government of the United
States had no president, for immedi-
ately following Woodrow Wilson's
physical breakdown he was unable to
function as the chief executive.
Opinions may differ as to whether
any important piece of public bust
ness was neglected-the cabinet took
care of every decision and executed
every policy. Rut there can be no
doubt that for a few days at least
Immediately after his return from
the western trip the president was
disabled and for a long time there
after was unable to discharge the
duties of his office to the extent that
he did in the preceding years of his
term.
Serious moments there were when
it was thought Mr.. Wilson would not
live. AS the crisis was passed and it
became apparent that the president
would be an invalid the rest of his
life and would be unable to see many
matters of state, his supporters de-
yeloped the fear that someone in
the senate or elsewhere would raise
the question under the constitution
which provides that the vice president
shall succeed the president in case of
death or inability.
The constitution itself is not very
clear or the question of what shall
be done when a president is dis
abled. 1t says:
I'm case of the removal OF the
president from office, or of his death,
resignation. or inability to discharge
the powers and duties of the said
office, the same shall devolve on the
vice president. and the congress may
by law provide for the case of re-
noval death, resignation, or inabil-
ity, both of the president and vice
president, declaring what officer
shall then act as president, and such
officer shall act accordingly until
the disability be removed or a presi-
dent shall he elected"
Lansing Calls Cabinet
Is the vice president to become
president or merely assume the du-
ties and discharge the powers of the
PRESIDENTIAL office until the presi-
dents disability is removed? No vice
president has ever assumed office on
the disability of a president and Mr..
Thomas r. Marshall, who was vice
president during President Wilson's
incapac;ty. made nc effort to sue
coed him. Congress has never passed
a law specifically giving the pro-
cedure that should be followed in
case of presidential inability.
After the president suffered a
stroke, his condition was SO alarm
ing that he was unable for several
days to sign documents or attend
to public business. The secretary OF
state, Robert Lansing, called at the
executive offices to learn the true
condition of the president because
the king and queen of the Belgians,
who were in New York. had eX-
pressed a desire to come to Wash
lngton if they could be received. Rear
Admiral Cary Z. GraySon, the preSi-
dents physician, told Mr.. Lansing
that Mr.. Wilson was in no condition
to receive the king and queen, much
as he would like to do so. and that
perhaps if their itinerary were rear
ranged the visit might be accom-
plished later ON. Mr.. Lansing was
unable to obtain any definite infor
nation as to the true nature of the
presidents illness and the next day
he asked Mr.. Tumulty the pres,-
dents private secretary, if he knew
whether the president was able to
sign documents and carry on his du
ties. Mr.. Lansing voiced the fear
that a demand might be made to
have the vice president take office
under the disability article of the
COIlStIluiIOll. 0GCItldlN Utility "a
pressed indignation at such a pros
pect and insisted that neither he
nor DR.. Grayson would certify tc
such a condition of the presidents
health.
Mr.. Lansing suggested that for
ances. at least, a cabinet meet
ing should be called and that this
would instill confidence in the coun-
try that the government was func-
tioning. The first meeting of the
cabinet was called with the knowl-
edge of both the presidents private
secretary and his physician. Dr.
Grayson attended the cabinet meet
ing and reported on the improve
ment in Mr.. Wilson's condition.
There was no discussion at this or
any other meeting about the vice
president succeeding Mr.. Wilson.
In all, twenty-five cabinet meet
ings were held and many important
matters discussed and decided. Seri-
Gus injury might have been done the
public interest if cabinet sessions
had not been convened and there is