Before he enter upon the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:  “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States."

This oath is usually administered by the chief justice of the Supreme Court.  It is very simple, pledging the president to two things only; but they are the essential things.

“Taking the oath” is a part of the inauguration ceremonies which occur, usually, on the fourth of March.

Pertinent Questions.

Was there any president under the confederation?  Why?  When does the president’s term begin?  Suppose that day comes on Sunday?  How does a presidential term compare with that of senator?  Of representative?  The first proposition in the constitutional convention was to make the presidential term seven years, and limit a person to one term.  Is the present plan better or not as good?  For how many terms may a person be elected president?  What presidents have been elected for a second term?

How many presidential electors is this state entitled to?  New York?  Illinois?  Wisconsin?  Delaware?  How many are there altogether?  Show how the present mode is an advantage to the small states.  Who were the electors of this state in the last presidential election?  Get a “ticket” or ballot and study it.  Tear off, beginning at the top, all that you can without affecting the vote.  How could a person have voted for one of the republican candidates without voting for the other?  Where did the electors of this state meet?  When?  Did you preserve the newspaper report of their proceedings?

Could the president and vice-president be chosen from the same state?  How many electoral votes were necessary to a choice last time?  How many did each candidate receive?  In case of election by the house of representatives, what is the smallest possible number that could elect?  In case the house should fail to choose a president before the fourth of March, who would be president?  Have we ever been threatened with a case of this kind?  Which presidents have been elected by the house?  Has a vice-president ever been chosen by the senate?

Specify four differences between the old and the new way of electing president and vice-president.  Which was the most important change?  What statement in the twelfth amendment was unnecessary in the original provision?  If “two-thirds of the senators” are present, are two-thirds of the states necessarily represented?  What is the smallest number of senators that could elect a vice-president?  How many times has the vice-president succeeded to the presidency?  What caused the vacancies?  Is the result of the election known before the meeting of the electors?

Who is our present minister to England?  Would a son of his born in England today be eligible in due time to the presidency?  Make a comparative table, giving the qualifications, mode of election (general), and term of representatives, senators and president.