this officer is elected by the people at the same time, and in the same manner, as the president, and for the same term. he must be a native citizen of the united states, and thirty-five years of age.
his high-sounding title would lead one who is but little acquainted with our government to think that he stands next to the president himself in dignity and power; that on his shoulders rests a large amount of the duties and responsibilities of the administration. such, however, is not the case. he is, in fact, nearer a cipher than any of the high officers of state. he is merely the presiding officer of the senate, with not even the power to vote, except in case of a tie vote in that body, when he may give the casting vote. it is only in case of the death, resignation, impeachment, or disability of the president to discharge his duties, that the vice-president becomes an officer of much power or dignity.
the following is a list of all the vice-presidents:
john adams, mass., april 30th, 1789, to march 4th, 1797—seven years, ten months and four days.
thomas jefferson, va., march 4th, 1797, to march 4th, 1801—four years.
aaron burr, n. y., march 4th, 1801, to march 4th, 1805—four years.
george clinton, n. y., march 4th, 1805, to april 30th, 1812—seven years, one month, and sixteen days.
elbridge gerry, mass., march 4th, 1813, to november 23d, 1814—one year, seven months, and nineteen days.
daniel d. tompkins, n. y., march 4th, 1817, to march 4th, 1825—eight years.
john c. calhoun, s. c., march 4th, 1825 to march 4th, 1833—eight years.
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martin van buren, n. y., march 4th, 1833, to march 4th, 1837—four years.
richard m. johnson, ky., march 4th, 1837, to march 4th, 1841—four years.
john tyler, va., march 4th, 1841, to april 4th, 1841—one month.
george m. dallas, pa., march 4th, 1845, to march 4th, 1849—four years.
millard fillmore, n. y., march 4th, 1849, to july 9th, 1850—one year and four months.
william r. king, ala.
john c. breckenridge, ky., march 4th, 1857, to march 4th, 1861—four years.
hannibal hamlin, me., march 4th, 1861, to march 4th, 1865—four years.
andrew johnson, tenn., march 4th, 1865, to april 15th, 1865—one month and eleven days.
schuyler colfax, ind., march 4th, 1869, to march 4th, 1873—four years.
henry wilson, mass., march 4th, 1873, to march 4th, 1877—four years.
of these, clinton died april 20th, 1812; from which time till march 4th, 1813, the vice-presidency was vacant.
gerry died november 23d, 1814; from which time till march 4th, 1817, the vice-presidency was vacant.
tyler became acting president upon the death of president harrison; and until march 4th, 1845, the vice-presidency was vacant.
fillmore became acting president upon the death of president taylor, july 9th, 1850; and until march 4th, 1853, the vice-presidency was vacant.
king was elected with president pierce, in 1852, but died april 18th, 1853. he never took his seat, and the vice-presidency was vacant till march 4th, 1857.
johnson became acting president upon the death of president lincoln, april 15th, 1865, and the vice-presidency again became vacant, and remained so until march 4th, 1869.
