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Garfield Requests Copies of Electoral Speech James A. Garfield Signed Form Ordering 300 Copies of A

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 800.00 USD
Garfield Requests Copies of Electoral Speech James A. Garfield Signed Form Ordering 300 Copies of A
<B>James A. Garfield Signed Form Ordering 300 Copies of A Fellow Ohioan's Speech in Congress Proposing a Constitutional Amendment Abolishing the Electoral College and the Office of Vice President, Providing for Direct Election of the President</B></I> Manuscript DS: <I>"J. A. Garfield 300", "J. M. Ashley 3000", "Wm Laurence 1000", "Lewis Selye 4000", "M Welker 20", "R.P. Buckland 200", "Geo W Julian 100", "F.C. Beaman", "Robt C. Schenck 200",</B></I> each writing the number of copies requested, 1p, 8" x 12.5". [Washington, D.C.], May 30, 1868. Headed: <I>"16 pages/Speech of the/Hon James M. Ashley/Of Ohio/On Constitutional amendment relative to/Election of President & Vice President./Delivered in the House of Reps/May 30 1868./(Price per hundred copies $1.50)"</B></I> On May 30, 1868, Congressman Ashley proposed a constitutional amendment which would remove the words "Vice President" wherever it appears in the U.S. Constitution, giving the Senate, for example, the responsibility of electing its presiding officer which under the Constitution is the Vice President. The President would be elected for one four-year term by the direct vote of the people, abolishing the electoral college. If a vacancy in the Presidency should occur, the Congress would elected the new President, each Senator and Representative having one vote. Republican James A. Ashley represented Ohio in the House of Representatives from 1859-1869; he lost reelection in 1868, the year he introduced his proposed constitutional amendment. Republican James A. Garfield represented Ohio in the House of Representatives from 1863 until 1881 when he was sworn in as 20th President of the United States. Damaged at lower right, folds, stains. Expertly repaired on verso at folds. Garfield's signature is dark and bold. Overall, in fine condition.