Title: POMMEREHN, ETC. v. Sauley

State: indiana

Issuer: Indiana Supreme Court

Document:

233 Ind. 140 (1954)
117 N.E.2d 556
POMMEREHN ET AL., ETC.
v.
SAULEY.
No. 29,129.

Supreme Court of Indiana.
Filed February 24, 1954.
Warren Martin, Jr., of Jeffersonville, and Paul R. Schnaitter and Harold E. Ford, both of Madison, for appellants.
Cooper, Cooper & Cooper, of Madison, Robert Hollowell, of Indianapolis, and Glenn R. Slenker, of Monticello, for appellee.
FLANAGAN, J.
On November 2, 1948, the following amendment to the Constitution of this State became effective:
It should be noted that this amendment started the terms of office created by it as of January 1, 1951.
Appellee was sheriff of his county prior to that date and has continued to be to the present time. He raises the question as to whether "eight years in any period of twelve years," in the above-quoted amendment, refer only to years after January 1, 1951, or whether such eight years include years prior to that date.
If the "eight years in any period of twelve years" include those years immediately prior to January 1, 1951, appellee is not eligible to be a candidate in the primary and general election of 1954.
An amendment becomes a part as fully as any original provision. The question here asked is not as to time, but rather is one as to effect. Are provisions of the Constitution prospective only, or are they also retrospective? The fundamentals welcome search.
A constitutional provision should have its feet founded deeply in the wisdom of the past; but its voice can speak only to the future. That which happened before adoption gave it breath it cannot notice. That which happened afterward demands its attention.
*142 In the instant case it is immaterial whether appellee did or did not serve as sheriff prior to January 1, 1951. On that date a new term of office started under a new constitutional provision.
Whether appellee was a sheriff under a different constitutional provision calls for no notice. Since January 1, 1951, the present Constitution governs. Appellee is entitled to be a candidate under it.
Judgment affirmed.
Emmert, J., not participating.
Draper, C.J., Bobbitt and Gilkison, JJ., concur.
NOTE.  Reported in 117 N.E.2d 556.