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Show President for a Day For many years there has been an apparently well-grounded opinion that David Rice Atchison, a senator from Missouri, actually officiated as President of the United States for a day between March 3 and March 5, 1849, when President Taylor was inaugurated, in-augurated, due to the fact that the fourth of March fell on Sunday. Th Biographical Directory of Members of Congress, which is compiled from official sources, contradicts this, the facts being as follows: Senator Atchison, At-chison, who had been president pro-tempore pro-tempore of the senate, terminated his office as senator on March 3, 1849. He was re-elected for the term beginning March 4, 1849, but this day falling on Sunday, did not qualify until Monday, March 5. and was thereupon elected president presi-dent pro tempore of the senate for the purpose of administering the oath of office to the senators-elect. |