The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-01-20
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president of the senate. Only when no candi-
date receives majority of the votes cast does
this procedure go awry.
That has happened only few times. In the
election of 1924 no one of the four candidates
for Observation-Disclosures Jackson John Quincy
Adams, William II. Crawford or Henry Clay
received a majority Of the electoral votes. So
the election devolved upon the house of repre-
sentatives and Adams was elected
But to return to the official pretense' of elect
ing a President February s: Connected with it's
early history are two significant "ifs." If the
roads between Georgia and Philadelphia back
in 1887 hadn't been so rough and II certain
delegate to the constitutional convention from
Georgia named William Houston hadn't suffered
so much discomfort from the condition of the
roads. the whole system might have been diff
ferent.
The convention had almost decided to have
electors chosen by the people Of each state jour-
ney once every four years to the National Capital
to meet for the purpose of voting among them
selves to decide who should hold the two high
positions.
But Mr.. Houston rose to his feet during a
session on hot July afternoon and. with memo
ries Of the road still fresh in his mind. told the
assembled delegates what he thought about the
idea. He directed the conventions attention
to the expense and extreme inconvenience Of
drawing together men from all states for the
single purpose of electing the chief executive"
He said also 1t seemed improbable to him that
capable men would undertake the service I'M
der the penalty of having to travel far from
home only to turn right around and go back
to the journeys starting point.
A suggestion was made that called for electors
of each state to travel only to their state capital
to cast their votes Mr.. Houston approved of
that Development Of the plan then progressed,
producing the proposal that each state appoint
messenger to bring the votes of its electors to
the seat Of the national government. The dele
gates, worn out after many weeks of debate well
coined the compromise.
These periodical trips were continued for more
than 100 years. The messengers, usually rela-
tives of the leading campaign contributors. state
house employees. political newswriters and such,
received 25 cents a mile for their travels to
Washington
About four years ago, 1t was found that this
quadrennial sending of messengers was costing
the national government more than $4,000 Econ
omy demanded change law was passed
providing that the electoral votes, or "certif-
Gates" as they formally called. be sent by
mail instead of by messenger.
This act approved May %, 1923, reads as
follows:
1.-THE electors of President and Vice Presi-
dent of each state shall meet and give their
votes on the first Wednesday in January next
following their appointment at such place
in each state as the legislature Of such state
shall direct
1T shall be the duty Of the executives of
each state, soon as practicable after the
conclusion of the appointment of the electors in
such state by the final ascertainment, under and
in pursuance of the laws of such state providing
for such ascertainment to communicate by reg
istered mail under the seal of the state to the
secretary of state of the United States a certi-
fcate of such ascertainment of the electors ap-
pointed, setting forth the names of such electors
and the canvass or other ascertainment under
the laws Of such state of the number of votes
given or cast for each person for whose ap-
pointment any and all votes have been given
or cast; and it shall also thereupon be the duty
of the executive of each state to deliver to the
electors of such state. on or before the day on
which they are required by section l of this
act to meet, six duplicates original of the same
certificate under the seal of the state; and If
there shall have been any final determination in
a state in the manner provided for by law of
controversy or contest concerning the appoint
ment of all or any of the electors of such state,
it shall be the duty of the executive of such
state as soon practicable after such determin-
alton. to communicate under the seal of the
state to the secretary of state of the United
States a certificate of such determination in
form and manner the same shall have been
made; and the certificate or certificates so re-
ceived by the secretary of state shall be pre-
served by him for one year and shall be part