PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. the chief executive officer of tie United States of North America. The second executive officer is the vice-president, who suc ceeds to the office of president in case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability. The president holds his office during a term of four years, beginning on the 4th clay of March next succeeding the day of his election. No person except a native of the United States is eligible to this office: A candidate must be not under 35 years of age, and is chosen by electors who have been chosen by the people. The president receives for his services a compensation of $50,000 a year, and the constitution forbids his receiving during office any other emolument from the United States or any state. He is commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states when called into the actual service of the United States. He may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he has power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. He also has the power. by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to make treaties, appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all other officers of the United States whose appointments are not otherwise provided for. It is the duty of the presi dent to scud to congress, from time to time, a message" giving information of the state of the union, and recommending to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses or either of them. and, in case of disagreement between them with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper. He receives ambassadors and other public ministers; commissions all the officers of the United States; and must take care that the laws are faithfully executed. He can be removed from
office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Every bill which passes congress must have the president's signature to become a law, nnless, after he has returned it to congress with his objections, two-thirds of each house shall vote in its favor. For the election of a president, each state is entitled to a number of electors equal to its number of senators and representatives in congress, who meet at their, respective state capitals on the first Wednesday in January after their election, and transmit their votes to the president of the U. S. senate. The votes are canvassed by the two houses of congress in joint convention, and the result is dechired on the second Wednetday in February following the meeting of the electors. Formerly the constitution provided that the person receiving the second highest number of votes for president became vice-president, but the twelfth amendment makes provis ions for a separate election of the vice-president. The following list gives the names of those who have held the office of president: George Washington, 1789-97; John Adams, 1797-1801; Thomas Jefferson, 1801-9; JamesMadison, 1809-17; James Monroe, 1817-25; John Quincy Adams, 1825-29; Andrew Jackson, 1829-37; Martin Van Buren, 1837-41; William Henry Harrison, Mar. 4, 1841-April 4, 1841; John Tyler (succeeded to the office as vice-president), 1841-45; James Knox Polk, 1845-49; Zachary Taylor, 1849 to July 5, 1850; Millard Fillmore (succeeded to the office as vice-president), 1850-53; Franklin Pierce, 1853-57; James Buchanan, 1857-61; Abraham Lincoln, 1861-April 15, 1865; Andrew Johnson (succeeded to the office as vice-president), 1865-69; Ulysses S. Grant, 1869-77; Rutherford B. Hayes, 1877-81; James A. Garfield, 1881. The presidents chosen for a second term of office were 'Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jack son, Lincoln, and Grant. •