Evening star., 1941-01-20
Electors Emerge
From Their Status
As Forgotten Men
Seots at Inaugural and
Special Dinner Lost Night
Put Them in Spotlight

The presidential electors, who Of
ten are the forgotten men in the
American political scheme. gath
cred in the Senate wing of the Cap
itol this morning to march to spe-
cial seats set aside for them TO
watch the ceremonies of the Roose-
welt third inaugural. which in
theory their votes cast last Novem-
Der made possible.
Two hundred and seventy of the
53l electors are in Washington. They
celebrated last night at the May
flower with colorful banquet which
was one of the leading pre-inaug-
ural festivities and TO which Presi-
dent Roosevelt sent a message, COM
mentlng that we must all feel
deep sense Of appreciation that We
are able TO hold free elections in a
free country"
Mrs. Roosevelt, Vice President
elect Wallace, five members of the
Supreme Court, four members of
the Cabinet, the Speaker of the
House and Chairman Flynn Of the
Democratic National Committee
were among the 1900 guests who
attended the banquet.
It was the first in history where
Democratic electors on the VIC
torious side, and Republican electors,
on the losing side, dined in cam
araderie together.
Banquet Is Gay.
The Navy Band played and Irving
Berlin, the song writer, sang God
Bless America" II was gay BAN
quet and the diners enjoyed them
selves hugely. The dinner tickets
were $40 each and the menu in
cluded terrapin soup, fish, steak.
alligator pear salad, ice cream with
figs, demitasse and cocktails and
American champagne.
The speeches which the electors
and their guests heard varied from
serious considerations of the prob
lens confronting the Nation to
remlnlscence from JoSephus DAN
iels, Ambassador to Mexico. on the
Franklin Roosevelt of 25 years ago
and to polite jesting from ATTORNEY
General Jackson on the strange
role which the electors play. Mr..
Jackson's speech was read by Fran
els Biddle, Solicitor General. be-
cause the Attorney General was i'll
and unable to attend.
Today the electors carry four
badges with which to identify them
selves. Each has presidential
electors card, White House invi-
tation, an inaugural ceremonies card
and an Identification card. From
the inaugural at the Capitol they
are to 60 to buses assigned to them.
which will carry them to the White
House stand to view the parade.
President to Receive Electors.
At 4:30 o'clock the electors will
meet at the White House, where
they are to be received by President
Roosevelt with the Governors of
the States. At o'clock they and
their wives will be among the guests
at tea at the White House.
The credit for lifting the electors
out of the obscurity into which they
sink when the end of election day
falls goes to Michael Francis DOYLE
OF Philadelphia. For each of the
two preceding Roosevelt inaugurals
DR.. Doyle has brought together the
democratic electors. This year he
invited Republicans as we'll as DEM
ocrats. But last night at one point
ne forgot himself. He said:
Ladies and gentlemen and fellow
Democrats"
Republicans Laugh.
A few merry Republicans laughed
and applauded in mock derision.
Then the lights went out and the
curtains were withdrawn from the
stage at the west end of the May
flower ballroom, where the banquet
was held. There was a spectacular
sign that the victory belonged to
the Democrats. In the center Of the
stage was a model of the Capitol
done In pastry, and over it hung
the number "449,"
The electoral votes received by
Mr.. Roosevelt in November were
449; by his Republican opponent
Wendell Willkie, 80.
presidential electors" Attorney
General Jackson's speech said, be
long to land of constitutional make
believe, rather than to the world of
practical politics. At law, it is you
only-not the people-who can elect
President. At law you can choose
as President any native-bo citi-
zen, IS years of age and IA years a
resident of the United States. Le-
gally, you electors were the only
candidates last November. Those
presumptuous fellows who were do
ing all the talking had no legal
standing at all, and never could
have any except by your leave.
Become Faithful Proxies.
with this vast grant of consti-
tutional power, electors have chosen