TOTAL POPULAR VOTE AT PRESIDENTIAL ÉLECTIONS. NOTE. See page 258 for reason why no returns of the popular vote prior to 1824 are given. 1868. Ulysses S. Grant. 46 66 Jackson, Crawford, Clay 24 Geo. B. McClellan. 33 4,676,853 622,886 15.4 25 4,024,792 34 5,724,684 37 1872.. 6,466,165 +1,789.312 +38.3 1876.. Rutherford B. Hayes Samuel J. Tilden, etc... 38 8,412,733 1,946.568 30.1 1880... James A. Garfield... Winfield S. Hancock, etc 389,204,428 791,695 9.4 The Electors of six States for 1824 were chosen by the Legislatures; in 1828 they were all chosen by the people, except in South Carolina. This will explain the great increase of the popular vote at the election of 1828. † Increase from 1860 to 1872. Percentage of the Total Vote Cast received by Candidates for President at each Election from 1804 to 1876. SUCCESSION TO THE CHIEF MAGISTRACY RECENT events in the United States have forcibly drawn public attention to the constitutional and legal provisions for the Presidential succession. In view of the great amount of strife, anarchy and civil war with which the pages of history are filled, growing out of disputed successions and contending dynasties, a wise foresight and regard for public order demand that ample safeguards should be provided to assure a Presidential succession concerning which there could be no dispute. The power vested by the Constitution in Congress to provide for the case of the removal, death, resignation and inability, both of the President and Vice-President has been exercised only in the statute of 1792, (Revised Statutes, Sec. 146,) which provides that the President of the Senate, or, if there is none, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall act as President. The Forty-Sixth Congress adjourned March 4, 1881, at the expiration of its term of office, leaving no President of the Senate and no Speaker of the House of Represenatives in existence. The assassination of the President and his long continued disability created the most anxious solicitude in the public mind, regarding the discharge of the duties of the Presidential office. Pending some additional legislation regarding the succession to the presidency, and defining the conditions under which the continued disability of the President may entitle the Vice-President to assume the functions of Chief Magistrate, the provisions of the several State constitutions as to succession to the chief magistracy of the State, possess interest. The following is a summary of these various provisions. It will be noted that 11 States have no Lieutenant-Governor; but that provision is made in all, for a constitutional successor who shall discharge the office of Governor in case of any disability of the Governor-elect. Alabama. No Lieut.-Governor. In case of the impeachment of the Governor, his removal from office, death, refusal to qualify, resignation, absence from the State or other disability, the power of the office of governor until the time appointed for the election of governor arrives, or until the disability is removed, is to be exercised by the President of the Senate; or in case of his removal or disability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall administer the government. Arkansas. No Lieut.-Governor. The office devolves upon the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives successively. California. The succession to the office of Governor falls (1) to the Lieut.-Governor; (2) to the President pro tempore of the Senate, and in case of his removal or disability (3) to the Speaker of the House. Colorado. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor devolves his duties upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor; (2) the President of the Senate pro tempore; (3) the Speaker of the House. Connecticut. The constitution provides for no disability of the Governor except through death, resignation, refusal to serve, removal from office, impeachment or absence from the State. In either of these contingencies the Lieutenant-Governor succeeds, or in case of his disability from any of the above causes, the President of the Senate pro tempore. If the Lieut.-Governor while administering the government, dies or resigns, the Secretary must convene the Senate for the purpose of choosing a President pro tempore. Delaware. No Lieut.-Governor. In case of any vacancy in the office of Governor, by death, removal, resignation, or inability, the office is to be exercised (1) by the Speaker of the Senate; (2) by the Speaker of the House: (3) by the Secretary of State, until the next meeting of the General Assembly, who must elect a person to exercise the office until a governor elected by the people is duly qualified. Florida. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor devolves its duties (1) on the Lieut.-Governor; (2) on the President pro tempore of the Senate for the residue of the term or until the disability shall cease. Georgia. No Lieut.-Governor. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor devolves the executive power (1) on the President of the Senate; (2) on the Speaker of the House. Illinois. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor devolves its powers on (1) the Lieut.-Governor (2) the President of the Senate; (3) the Speaker of the House. Indiana. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor devolves it on the Lieut.Governor. The constitution empowers the General Assembly to provide by law what officer shall act as Governor in case both of these offices become vacant, through inability or otherwise. Iowa. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.Governor; (2) the President pro tempore of the Senate; (3) the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Kansas. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.Governor; (2) the President pro tempore of the Senate; (3) the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Kentucky. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor; (2) upon the President pro tempore of the Senate. Louisiana. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor; (2) the President pro tempore of the Senate. Maine. Succession to the Chief Magistracy.—Continued. No Lieut.-Governor. Vacancy or disqualification in the office of Governor, devolves it upon (1) the President of the Senate; (2) the Speaker of the House. If the three offices in succession become vacant, the Secretary of State must convene the Senate, that a President may be chosen to exercise the office of Governor. Maryland. No Lieut.-Governor. In case of vacancy or disqualification in the office of Governor, the General Assembly must elect a Governor; or if not in session, the President of the Senate or (2) the Speaker of the House is to exercise the office of Governor. Massachusetts. Vacancy by reason of death, absence or otherwise devolves the office of Governor upon the Lieut.-Governor. Whenever the office of Governor and Lieut.Governor shall be vacant by death or otherwise, the office devolves upon the Council (a body of nine officers appointed by the Governor.) Michigan. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor (2) the President pro tempore of the Senate. Minnesota. Vacancy from any cause whatever in the office of Governor devolves it upon the Lieut.-Governor in case of vacancy. The Senate must elect a President pro tempore to be Lieut.-Governor. Mississippi. Vacancy by death or otherwise in the office of Governor, or his inability from protracted illness, devolves his duties upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor; (2) the President of the Senate pro tempore; (3) the Speaker of the House. In case of the inability of the foregoing officers, the Secretary of State must convene the Senate to elect a President pro tempore. Missouri. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor (2) the President of the Senate; (3) the Speaker of the House. Nebraska. Same as the preceding. Nevada. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor devolves it (1) on the Lieut.Governor; (2) on the President pro tempore of the Senate. New Hampshire. No Lieut.-Governor. Vacancy by death or otherwise devolves the governorship upon the President of the Senate. New Jersey. No Lieut.-Governor. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor, devolves it upon the (1) President of the Senate: (2) the Speaker of the House. New York. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor, devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor; (2) the President of the Senate. North Carolina. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor, devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor; (2) the President of the Senate pro tempore. If the latter becomes Gov. ernor, the Secretary of State must convene the Senate to elect a President. Ohio. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor, devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.Governor; (2) the President of the Senate; (3) the Speaker of the House. Oregon. No Lieut.-Governor. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor, devolves it on (1) the Secretary of State; (2) the President of the Senate. Pennsylvania. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor, devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor; (2) the President pro tempore of the Senate. Rhode Island. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor, devolves it upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor; (2) the person entitled to preside over the Senate for the time being. South Carolina. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor, devolves it on the Lieut.-Governor. The Legislature must provide what officer shall act as Governor, in case of a double vacancy or inability. Tennessee. No Lieut.-Governor. Vacancy in the office of Governor, devolves the office on (1) the Speaker of the Senate; (2) the Speaker of the House. No provision for the case of disability. Teras. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor, devolves it on (1) the Lieut.Governor; (2) the President of the Senate, for the time being. Vermont. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor, devolves its powers upon the Lieut.-Governor. The Legislature must provide for further vacancy or disability. Virginia. Vacancy or inability in the office of Governor, devolves it upon the Lieut.Governor, the General Assembly must provide by law for the discharge of the executive functions, in other necessary cases. West Virginia. No Lieut.-Governor. Vacancy or disability in the office of Governor, devolves it upon (1) the President of the Senate; (2) the Speaker of the House. In all other cases where there is no one to act as Governor, one shall be chosen by joint vote of the Legislature. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of Governor, before the first three years of the term [of four years] have expired, a new election for Governor must take place to fill the vacancy. Wisconsin. Vacancy or inability from mental or physical disease devolves the office upon (1) the Lieut.-Governor; (2) the Secretary of State. PRICES OF GOVERNMENT LOANS IN LONDON. 1876-81. Compiled from the Financial Register and the Investors' Manual, London, 1878-81. Italy: 5% Rentes...... 71 Japan: 7% 1873. 921⁄2 107 Mexico: 3% 1846.... 58 77 €7% 82 99 109 100 110 101 111 104 116 106 13% 42 834 6 8% 6% 13% 7%1⁄2 17 9% 28% 15% 82 100 97 102 97 101% 95 102 97 104 99% 105 101 644 612 66 61 66% 64 724 88 79 93% 85% |