IN CASE OF NO DECISION BY ELECTORAL VOTE. 91

Who must count the votes?

Tellers appointed for that purpose by the House and Senate.

In case neither candidate for the presidency has a Majority of all the electoral votes cast, what must be done?

The election goes to the House of Representatives.

ELECTION BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. How does this Election take place?

I. Two-thirds of the States must be represented to constitute a quorum.

II. The candidates must be those already voted for, and must be confined to those receiving the highest. number, not exceeding three.

III. Each State is entitled to only one vote: and it will be cast according to the wishes of a majority of the members in the House from that State. If, for instance, a State has 15 members, 8 belonging to one party, and 7 to another, the 8, being a majority, will, if agreed, cast the one vote; the minority having no voice in the election. Should there be an even number of members from any State, and should they be equally divided between two candidates, there might be one-half vote for each candidate.

In case of a Failure on the part of the House of Representatives = to elect a President before the 4th of March, what then?

The Vice-President must act as President.

ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENT BY THE SENATE.

Can the Senate ever elect a Vice-President?

Yes, when the people have failed to elect a Vice-Pres-ident, then the Senate must elect.

How is this done?

I. Two-thirds of all the Senators constitute a quorum II. The Senate must vote for the two persons who received the highest number of votes for Vice-President. III. A majority of all the members elected to the Senate is necessary to a choice.

IV. Should there be a tie in the Senate, the VicePresident may give the casting vote.

V. Should the Vice-President have succeeded to the presidency, or have vacated his office, and the President pro tem. (a Senator) preside, in that case there might be a tie, and no election reached.

THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.

What are the provisions for filling the office of President when' Vacant?

In case of the removal, death, resignation, or inability of a President to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve upon the Vice-President.

II. In case of the removal, death, resignation, or inability of both the President and Vice-President of the United States, the duties of said office shall devolve upon the Cabinet officers in the following order:

1. Secretary of State; if there be none, then on the 2. Secretary of the Treasury; if there be none, then on the

3. Secretary of War; if there be none, then on the 4. Attorney General; if there be none, then on the 5. Postmaster General; if there be none, then on the 6. Secretary of the Navy; if there be none, then on -the

THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.

93

7. Secretary of the Interior: until the disability of the President or Vice-President is removed or a President shall be elected.

III. Provided, That whenever the powers and duties of the office of President or Vice-President shall devolve upon any of the Cabinet officers, if Congress be not then in session, or if it would not meet in accordance with law within twenty days thereafter, it shall be the duty of the person upon whom said powers and duties shall devolve to issue a proclamation convening Congress in extraordinary session, giving twenty days' notice of the time of meeting.

IV. Cabinet officers to be eligible must have been appointed by the advice and consent of the Senate, and be eligible to the office of President under the Constitution, and not under impeachment by the House of Rep-resentatives at the time the duties shall devolve upon. them. (Approved January 19, 1886.)

What is the Electoral College?

I. The term "Electoral College" means the presi-idential Electors when assembled as a body to cast the vote for President and Vice-President.

II. Each State may provide by law for the filling of any vacancy which may exist in its college of electors, when such college meets to cast its electoral vote.

What are the requirments as to Eligibility of the President and Vice President?

I. No person shall hold the office, either of President or Vice-President, except native born citizens, or those who were in this country at the time of the adoption of the Constitution.

II. The candidate must have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.

III. He must be at the time of his election 35 years

of age.

What are some of the Duties of the President?

I. He is Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States;

II. And of the Militia of the several States when called into actual service of the United States.

III. He has power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.

IV. He has power to make treaties when two-thirds of the Senate present concur.

V. He nominates, and, by and with the consent of the Senate of the United States, appoints Ambassadors, Public Ministers, Consuls, Judges of the United States Courts, and all other United States officers not otherwise provided for.

VI. He may fill all vacancies that happen during recess of the Senate, by granting commissions that expire at the close of the next session.

VII. He must from time to time give to Congress information in regard to the condition of affairs in the United States, and recommend such measures as he deems expedient. For further duties, see Constitution of the United States, Art. II.

What are some of the Duties of the Vice President?

I. He is President of the United States Senate, and has a vote only in case of a tie.

II. In case he succeeds to the presidency, then he

DERIVATION OF AUTHORITY.

95

performs the duties of the President, and the President pro tem. (a Senator) performs the duties of Vice-President and Senator.

What are the Salaries of the President and of the Vice President? The President receives $50,000;* the Vice-President receives $8,000.

A tabular view showing how some United States officers get their authority.

From the

1. President.

I. Electors 12. Vice-President.

Members of the House (
{President sometimes. †

From

State people.
Legiisla-

tures.

of Representaties

U. S. Senators

V. President sometimes. I

{v

What appointments are made by the President subject to confir.na

tion by the Senate?

I. President's Cabinet consisting of

1. Sec. of State.

2. Sec. of Treasury.
3. Sec. of War.

4. Sec. of Navy.

5. Sec. of Interior.

6. Postmaster General.
7. Attorney General.

II. Governors of territories.

III. Ambassadors.

IV. Ministers to foreign countries.

*The President's salary cannot be increased or diminished during his term of office.

Richard M. Johnson was elected Vice-President by the Senate in 1837. This is, thus far, the only instance.