Tuesday, February 28, 2017

What is the legacy of William Henry Harrison?

William Henry Harrison was the first President to die in office. He died thirty-one days into his term after becoming sick due to inclement weather. This death created a constitutional crisis due to the ambiguity of Article II. The succession clause provided that the Vice President would assume the duties and powers of the Presidency, but it was unclear whether the Vice President actually became the President or merely acted in the role during a temporary vacancy. John Tyler and Harrison's cabinet disagreed on this particular issue, with the cabinet believing that Tyler was just acting in the role during a vacancy while Tyler believed that was the President. The two sides consulted the Chief Justice at the time and they determined that Tyler would become President upon taking the oath of office, which he then did.

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