Because inauguration day fell on Sunday, President-elect Zachary Taylor and Vice-President-elect Millard Fillmore both refused to take their oaths of office, leaving the presidency vacant. Constitutionally, succession fell to the President of the Senate, Brother David Rice Atchison, a member of Missouri's Platte Lodge 56. Judge Willie Magnum administered the oath of office and for a single day, Sunday, March 4, 1849, Brother David Rice Atchison was the President of the United States.
Historians generally do not recognize the claim that Atchison actually became president. While it makes a unique and interesting story, it is perhaps best to take the lead of Masonic author William R. Denslow, who, in his book 10,000 Famous Freemasons, categorizes Atchison as the "Ex-officio President of the United States for one day."
No comments:
Post a Comment