By Jody Drake
On January 22, 1925, the Electoral College received votes from its electors. Among those present, carrying the Republican votes for Coolidge, was "the lady from Arizona," Prescott's own Sharlot M. Hall. As we look back at this we perceive it to be a history making event as well as big news, but in fact on that date in 1925, The Prescott Journal Miner headline read "Red Rock Postmaster Shot To Death at His Desk". No mention of Miss Hall and her journey to Washington.
The following day the Journal recounts the 40 gallons of Squirrel Whiskey seized on Thumb Butte road, again no mention of Miss Hall. In fact on further search, including both of Prescott's news papers, the only reference of the whole affair was on January 13, two paragraphs reading as an insignificant happening. Was this lack of attention because of Miss Hall? Or was it perhaps a disconnection to the whole process of the Electoral College. It was simply the way it had always been done, it was working fine, and there was no need to question its value or evaluate its workings.
Here is a quick explanation of the Electoral College before moving on about Sharlot in 1925. Over 200 hundred years ago this Country was founded, the Founding Fathers had concerns that the voters weren't informed enough to make a proper decisions when voting for the president. Information was not as accessible as it is today, very few were given the right to vote in the earliest years, only male landowners over the age of 21 could vote. Henceforth the Electoral College, loosely based on classical structure found in the Roman Republic and ancient Greek societies, was written into the Constitution. The Electoral College is a group of people nominated by the state leadership, who vote for the president. The number of electors equals the number of Congressional representatives and Senators. These are the men and women who elect the President of the United States. The number of electoral votes a state has equals its total number of representatives and senators. No state can have less than three electoral votes. As a presidential campaign chugs along, there is much talk about "swing" states and "important" states. These are the states with a large number of electoral votes that can determine the outcome of an election. Technically, the candidate who receives the most votes in a state, even if it is only by one vote, gets all the electoral votes for that state. Two states, Nebraska and Maine, have amended their constitutions to split the electoral votes, the "Senate" votes go to the overall state winner, but the "Congressional" votes go to the winner of that district. Is the Electoral College still necessary today? When it was written, the College was a way for those who "understood" politics and government to keep control. Did the early leaders trust the people? Perhaps not, but on the other hand, if the concerns of the people were on the Electoral College, it certainly wasn't covered in The Prescott Journal Miner. As a positive for the College, it shows how vital every single vote is. It may seem like an individual vote means little in an election, but one vote, that's right one single vote can swing the electoral votes in a state. A state like Florida, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, or Ohio can determine an election. Some 500-reform proposals have been introduced into Congress since 1797. They fall into two major categories: to redesign the Electoral College or to abolish it with direct election of the president.
Moving back to 1925, before it was decided that Sharlot Hall would carry the electors vote she wrote to a friend, "If the party does win and I go, it is probable that I will be presented with a gown of Arizona copper cloth to wear while officiating, no small ad for Arizona copper and also solving the dress problem for me in a unique way. However I consider all this pipe dreams". Once again we see no concern for the process of the Electoral College Hall was involved in. It seems there was a general sense of trust for the system. Sharlot was pleased Coolidge questioned her about the State of Arizona, and the Newspapers were pleased Mrs. Coolidge wore the Smoki necklace that Sharlot had presented to her. Sharlot observed " I saw senators in squads, at noon we met President Coolidge, that afternoon I was accompanied by my host Mr. Cameron to the Senate chamber, we the electors presented our sealed envelopes, the state votes for one or another of the three presidential candidates, Coolidge, Charles Davis, and Robert M. La Folette. They addressed me as The Lady from Arizona and I was the first woman to arrive with the vote of her state. Acting Vice-President Albert Cummins reached out his hand to take the historical letter, cameras were snapping and we were caught in the act." On February 11, the formal counting of the ballots submitted by the state electors on January 22, was held. The ceremony was held in the House chamber, it was an impressive one. Senator Cummins, preceded by two pages carrying mahogany boxes, which held the returns from the states, came down the middle aisle followed by the rest of the senators to join the congressmen already seated in the chamber. One by one, the envelopes were opened and the votes called off and tallied. When all were read, the final result was 382 ballots for Coolidge, 136 ballots for Davis, and 13 ballots for La Follette. Calvin Coolidge was now officially elected to office . Miss Hall also commented " In the early days of the young republic this was no doubt a much more important part of the governmental procedure, but it is still one impressive and interesting to witness." Even Sharlot Hall saw the roll of the Electoral College change with her time.
Jody Drake is the Blue Rose Historical Theater Director and Scholar of Sharlot M. Hall.
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (po0188p). Reuse only by permission.
Sharlot M. Hall wore this copper overdress to Washington DC in 1925 to deliver the Electoral College vote for Arizona (note that she is standing on cinderblocks to appear taller). The Electoral College and Sharlot's role in it were minor news stories of that year.