PRESIDENT, signifying he who presides. The title is used for: (I) the principal member of a society or association, who takes the chair when present at meetings; (2) the chief official of a company or board; (3) the head of a uni versity or college or of a learned faculty; (4) the elected chief magistrate of a republic. At the present time the following countries, all having some form of democratic government, have Presidents as chief magistrates: Andorra, China, France, Liberia, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, Switzerland. All the Central and South American countries, not any longer colonies of European countries, are now republics with a president at the head of their administrations. To this group belong Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, El Salvador, Uruguay, Venezuela. The powers, duties, etc., of the presidents of these countries are, of course, regulated by their several con stitutions and differ to a considerable extent. Further details will be found in the articles on each country. In the United States the Presi dent is the chief executive of the government. His duties, rights and election are defined by the Constitution of the United States, article II, sections I, H and III, and article XII of the amendments. 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 has the power to grant reprieves and par dons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. With the ad vice and consent of the Senate he has the power to make treaties and to nominate and appoint ambassadors, consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, most of the executive offices of the gov ernment and a large number of judicial and administrative functionaries. He is elected for a term of four years and is eligible for any number of re-elections, though, in conformity with the precedent set by George Washington, no President has yet been elected more than twice. The President has a veto power. His salary was originally placed at $25,000. In 1873 it was increased to $50,000. In 1907 he was
allowed an additional $25,000 for traveling ex penes and in 1909 the salary itself was in creased to $75 000. His residence during his Presidency is the White House in Washington. He is elected by an electoral college, the com position and procedure of which is regulated by the Constitution, article II, section I, paragraph II, and article XII, amendments to the Con sntution. He may receive a minority of the popular vote and yet be legally chosen to the office. He can be removed from office on im peachment for and conviction of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors. On the entrance of the United States in the war in April 1917 the regular powers of the Presi dent, as defined by the Constitution were ex tended and enlarged temporarily in various directions by means of special legislation. These extra powers, however, were given to the executive only for the duration of the war. In case of his death or total disability the func tions of the office devolved on the Vice-Presi dent, who is elected coincidently with the Presi dent and is the presiding officer of the Senate. (See PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION). The follow ing is the list of Presidents up to the present: George Washington, 1789 and 1793; John Adams, 1797; Thomas Jefferson, 1801 and 1805; James Madison, 1809 and 1813; Tames Monroe, 1817 and 1821; John Quincy Ada, 1825; An drew Jackson, 1829 and 1833; Martin 'Van Buren, 1837; William Henry Harrison (died 4 April 1841), 1841• ' John Tyler (elected as Vice-President), 1841; James Knox Polk, 1845; 9 Zachary Taylor (died July'1850), 1849; Mil lard Fillmore (elected as Vice-President), 1850; Franklin Pierce, 1853; James Buchanan, 1857; Abraham Lincoln (-assassinated 14 April 1865), 1861 and 1865; Andrew Johnson (elected as Vice-President), 1865; Ulysses S. Grant, 1869 and • Rutherford B. Hayes, 1877; James A. Garfield (died by' assassination 19 Sept. 1881), 1881; Chester A. Arthur (elected as Vice-President), 1881; Grover Cleveland, 1885; Benjamin H. Harrison, 1889; Grover Cleveland, 1893; William McKinley, 1897 and 1900 (assassinated 6 Sept. 1901); Theodore Roosevelt (elected as Vice-President) 1901 and 1903; William H. Taft, 1909; Woodrow Wilson. 1913 and 1917.