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Story
July 20, 1868
The Charleston Daily News
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
Washington dispatch on July 18 reports a Cabinet session resulting in the President's recommendations for constitutional amendments to reform presidential elections via districts, extend terms to six years, enable direct Senate elections, limit judges to 12 years, and outline succession, supported by General Jackson's views.
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Our Washington Dispatches.
SUGGESTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT—CONFORMING TO THE CONFEDERATE CONSTITUTION—AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT—THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES.
WASHINGTON, July 18. A long Cabinet session was held to-day, and, as a result, will send to Congress a series of suggestions regarding Presidential elections. The following is an abstract of the recommendations of the President:
Quoting General Jackson in support of his views, and arguing that by the present system the will of the majority of the people is liable to be defeated in the choice of President, and arguing in favor of the election of United States Senators by the people instead of by State Legislatures, and limited instead of life terms of Supreme Judges, and pointing out the interest the Chief Justice and the Vice-President have in cases of Presidential impeachment, the President closes his argument as follows: "Time, observation and experience have confirmed these convictions, and as a matter of public duty and with a deep sense of my constitutional obligation to recommend to the consideration of Congress such measures as I deem necessary and expedient, I submit the accompanying propositions, and urge their adoption and submission to the judgment of the people."
He proposes the following amendment to the constitution: Presidential term shall be six years. States shall be divided into equal districts, corresponding with the number of representatives and senators in Congress, and each district shall count as one vote for President and Vice-President, respectively. The person in each district receiving the highest number of votes, from voters qualified to vote for the popular branch of the State Legislature within said district, receiving the vote of the district. These facts shall be certified to by Governors of States to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House.
The Federal Congress shall be in session on the second Monday in October, 18—, and every sixth year thereafter, and the President of the Senate (both Houses present) shall open and count the votes. The persons receiving the highest numbers shall be President and Vice-President respectively, if they have a majority of the votes cast, otherwise a second election occurs between the two highest for each office. If, at the second election, both receive a like number of votes of districts, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the largest number of States shall be President. The same rules apply to Vice-President. But in case a second election is necessary for Vice-President, but not for President, then the Senate shall elect the Vice-President from the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes of districts. No President or Vice-President shall be eligible for a second term. In case of the President's removal by any cause, the office devolves on the Vice-President, and in case of the Vice-President's removal the office devolves on the Secretary of State, following whom as successors come the Secretary of the Treasury, War, Navy, Interior, Postmaster-General and Attorney-General, who shall exercise the functions of the office until the disability is removed or a new election held. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each State, chosen by the electors of the State Legislatures to hold six years, each senator having one vote. Judges of Supreme and Inferior Courts shall hold twelve years. The President, after the adoption of the proposed amendment, shall divide the judges into three classes, expiring fourth, sixth and twelfth year, so that one-third may be chosen every fourth year.
Our Washington Dispatches.
SUGGESTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT—CONFORMING TO THE CONFEDERATE CONSTITUTION—AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT—THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES.
WASHINGTON, July 18. A long Cabinet session was held to-day, and, as a result, will send to Congress a series of suggestions regarding Presidential elections. The following is an abstract of the recommendations of the President:
Quoting General Jackson in support of his views, and arguing that by the present system the will of the majority of the people is liable to be defeated in the choice of President, and arguing in favor of the election of United States Senators by the people instead of by State Legislatures, and limited instead of life terms of Supreme Judges, and pointing out the interest the Chief Justice and the Vice-President have in cases of Presidential impeachment, the President closes his argument as follows: "Time, observation and experience have confirmed these convictions, and as a matter of public duty and with a deep sense of my constitutional obligation to recommend to the consideration of Congress such measures as I deem necessary and expedient, I submit the accompanying propositions, and urge their adoption and submission to the judgment of the people."
He proposes the following amendment to the constitution: Presidential term shall be six years. States shall be divided into equal districts, corresponding with the number of representatives and senators in Congress, and each district shall count as one vote for President and Vice-President, respectively. The person in each district receiving the highest number of votes, from voters qualified to vote for the popular branch of the State Legislature within said district, receiving the vote of the district. These facts shall be certified to by Governors of States to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House.
The Federal Congress shall be in session on the second Monday in October, 18—, and every sixth year thereafter, and the President of the Senate (both Houses present) shall open and count the votes. The persons receiving the highest numbers shall be President and Vice-President respectively, if they have a majority of the votes cast, otherwise a second election occurs between the two highest for each office. If, at the second election, both receive a like number of votes of districts, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the largest number of States shall be President. The same rules apply to Vice-President. But in case a second election is necessary for Vice-President, but not for President, then the Senate shall elect the Vice-President from the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes of districts. No President or Vice-President shall be eligible for a second term. In case of the President's removal by any cause, the office devolves on the Vice-President, and in case of the Vice-President's removal the office devolves on the Secretary of State, following whom as successors come the Secretary of the Treasury, War, Navy, Interior, Postmaster-General and Attorney-General, who shall exercise the functions of the office until the disability is removed or a new election held. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each State, chosen by the electors of the State Legislatures to hold six years, each senator having one vote. Judges of Supreme and Inferior Courts shall hold twelve years. The President, after the adoption of the proposed amendment, shall divide the judges into three classes, expiring fourth, sixth and twelfth year, so that one-third may be chosen every fourth year.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Presidential Election Reform
Constitutional Amendment
Senate Election
Judicial Terms
Cabinet Session
What entities or persons were involved?
President
General Jackson
Where did it happen?
Washington
Story Details
Key Persons
President
General Jackson
Location
Washington
Event Date
July 18
Story Details
The President recommends constitutional amendments for presidential elections by districts, six-year terms, direct Senate elections, limited judicial terms, and succession rules, quoting General Jackson to support majority will and reforms.