| Show LANSING PRESIDENT FOR JUST ONE DAY tile the next president of the united states will be robert hansing of new york the present secretary secre of state mr 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 19 1886 when congress passed an act providing that in the event of the death removal resignation tion or inability of both the president and the vice president of the united states the secretary ot of state shall net act as president march marc ha 4 1017 will fall upon a sunday and it Is 1 contrary to all precedent although not in opposition to any law to hold nn an inauguration on sunday therefore the incoming chief executive will take the oath of office and commence his term shortly after noon on march 5 president wilsons Wll Wil sons term commenced at noon on march 4 1913 therefore according to the constitution which defines the term of ofa a president as four years his tenure of office cewill will be over at noon on march 4 and even it 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 mar march ch 4 and the time that the new president takes the oath of ce on the following day this brief term of office Is not a mere formality it la Is an actual occupation of the power of president with all his authorities and prerogatives mr Lain leinsing sing president lansing 11 for the day will t 1 bo be empowered to occupy the ille white house to issue pardons to attend to all the other business ot of which the chief executive lias has control and to ride rid to the capitol should he desire Us as tho the outgoing president on inauguration day moreover tills this Is the first time in the history of the nation that a secretary of state has haq bad this honor bei bestowed towed upon him and only the second time in the years of the existence of the united states that the office has been held by anyone anyone other than the president and vice president dea |
