Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-05-30


the result of the election doubtful. Both
parties claim the victory, Mr.. Temp.
kins had majority of $40 votes i'll the
city of New-York.
The injury which the state would sustain by
not having the election for Congressman at
the general election in August next, as the
constitution and election law contcmplates, is
this, that there must be a special law enacted
by the next Legislature, authorizing the cleo
ton of a representative to the 18th Congress,
from this state, to take place in August 1921.
As the general election comes on in August
ensuing, for members of the General Assem-
bly,, and county officers, it will require spe-
cial election in 1921, for the special purpose
OF electing a member TO Congress, which will
cost the state, including the expense ofbear-
lns the election returns from the different
counties, from 5000 to $4,000. This is in
part, the injury the state would sustain by
putting off the election. The election would
not be SO generally attended in 1921, as in
August next, because the people do not take
so much interest in the Congressional, as they
do in the county elections. And to get over
the greatest difficulty, which is started by
those who advocate a postponement of the
election, that of having the seat in Congress
vacated, we would suggest the propriety Of
calling upon the candidates severaly, and re-
quest them to state, if not elected, that they
will not take any advantage of the laneness of
the election law. And if they say, they will
not, where can be the impropriety of having
the election in August next? We can see
none.
And to avoid, in subsequent elections, any
difficulty about the time, let the general as
sembly, SO amend the election law, as to say,
toi1atedly and explicitly, that the next election
for member to Congress, shall take place in
August 1922, and for ever after, representa-
tives to Congress shall be elected at the same
time, and in the same manner as members of
the general assembly are elected. We do not
contend that there is any ertress provision
authorizing the election in August next, but
we do think, taking the constitution and
election law together, they would justify
having the election then. 1t appears to us,
that the course above suggested, would be
the most advisable, as there is diversity of
opinion on the subject. Illinois I,telhgencer,
1t is admitted by the editors Of the In
telligencer, that there is no erhress pro-
vision in the laws of this state to author
ize an election of representative to
congress in August next; nor do we be-
lieve they will seriously contend that the
CONCENTRATIONS ofthe law (not expressed
will justify the measure. The objection
to postponement on account of the
cost to the state of a special election, will
be obviated when It'll recollected that the
county offices are in the same situation,
with the exception that the county COM
missioners are authorized to =" hold their
offices until the first Monday in August,
1920, and until their successors shall
be sgvorn into oEce." There is no pro-
vision made by law for the election Of
their successors the consequence of
which is, that there can be no election
until the assembly meets, and legislates
upon the subject. 1t is more important
that the election of county commissions
ers should be legal, than that Of the repre-
sentative to congress for if we are not
represented in the lower house, we have
two members in the senate, who will at
tend to our local affairs: but our county
commissioners, having judicial powers,
any Illegally in their appointment would
be productive of mischief incalculablc.
The expedient suggested by the edi-
tors of the Intelligencer for getting over
this difficulty, that the candidates should
pledge themselves not to contest the
election of the successful one on account
ofthe lameness of the election law, would
be more available but for an unfortunate
provision in the constitution of the Unit
ed States, that the times and places for
holding elections for representatives to
congress shall be prescribed by the le-
gislatures of the several states respective
~, and if assurance could be given that
no other person would take such advan-
tage. If the candidates are permitted to
fix the time, in order to save to the state
the expenses incident to special cleo
ton, they may as we'll agree, between
themselves, by lot or otherwise, which
shall serve the people. This course
would save other expenses than those
incurred in transmitting the returns to