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Show ' LANSING, PRESIDENT FOR JUST ONE DAY The next president of the United States will be Robert Lansing of New York, the present secretary of state. Mr. Lansing's term of office does not depend upon the action of any political convention; it is likewise Irrespective of any primary or direct election. In point of fact it dates back to January 10, 1886, when congress passed an act providing that, in the event of the death, removal, resignation resigna-tion or inability of both the president and the vice president of the United States, the secretary of state shall act as president. March 4, 1917, will fall upon a Sunday, and it is contrary to all precedent although not In opposition opposi-tion to any law to hold an inauguration on Sunday. Sun-day. Therefore the incoming chief executive will take the oath of office and commence his term shortly after noon on March 5. President Wilson's term commenced at noon on March 4, 1913 ; therefore, there-fore, according to the Constitution, which defines the term of a president as "four years," his tenure of office will be over at noon on March 4, and, even If he Is elected to succeed himself, he cannot take the oath of office until noon on the following day. Vice President Marshall, of course, Is under the same disability as the president Therefore the secretary of state, Mr. Lansing, will be president of the United States for the 24 hours and some minutes elapsing between noon on Sunday, March 4, and the time that the new president takes the oath of office on the following day. This brief term of office is not a mere formality. It is an actual occupation of the power of presk dent, with all his authorities and prerogatives. Mr, Lansing "President Lansing," for the day will be empowered to occupy the White House, to issue is-sue pardons, to attend to all the other business of which the chief executive has control, and to rida to the capitol, should he desire, as the outgoing president on Inauguration day. Moreover, this is the first time In the history of the nation that a secretary of state has had this honor bestowed upon him and only the second time In the 140 years of the existence of the United States that the office has been held by anyone other than the president and vice president |