Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-05-03
Au~ust EIection--state Omcers.

August Electlon--state Omcers.
In anticipation sf the passage Of law
for taking second vote upon the consti--
tuition at the regular August election, some
further provision would seem to be neces-
sary in relation to the election Of State Of
ficers, in the event of the ratification Of the
constitution BY the people. Had the re-
cent popular decision been Of favorable
character, the voters ofthe Terr't ny, under
the provisions Of the constitutions, would
have been called upon in August next to
elect State officers; and as it is among the
things probable, OF at least possible, that
the constitution win be accepted upon an
other trial, it will become the duty Of the
Legislature to make ample provision for
the contingency. In addition to having the
precedent Of nearly all the ether new
States for going into the election Of Gov
ernor, Secretary, members Of Congress and
Of the State Legislature. &c., before being
finally admitted as State, the step is
called for by every consideration Of pro-
priety and interest. It is Of the first i'm
portance that we make all necessary pre-
parations for the change Of government
which is soon to come upon us, and thus
avoid the dangers Of an interregnum, du-
ring which we should be neither Territory
nor State. Such an occurrence can easily
be imagined, and would be almost sure to
happen were the State elections to be put
off until af er the consummation of our adj
mission into the Union. The officers cho-
Sc, would Of course not be recognized until
Congress had finally admitted us; but i'm
mediately after the official declaration Of
such admission the wheels Of the State gov
eminent could be put in motion. Our
Senators and Representative would 60 on to
Washington at the next session of Congress,
as the delegated agents of the State; and
although it is not pretended they would
get their seats until after our complete and
full recognition as State, they would still
be there, and would exercise all the influ-
ence of members. In the settlement Of the
boundary question they would be in po-
sition to render the State great aid.
Should the constitution be ratified, and
an election for State officers follow, as fol-
it would, we should Of course need NO
Territorial Legislature, and no Delegate
to Congress. In order, therefore, to be
enabled to act understandingly in the prem
Uses, and to avoid the confusion which
would be likely to ensue in the absence
Of some provision calculated to guard
against it, it seems to us that the most
judicious course would be to postpone The
election Of all officers in august, and mere
ly act upon the constitution at that time.
In the event Of the rejection of the con-
stitution, then the regular Territorial cleo
ton could be held in October or such
other time as might be designated; but
should it be ratified such election we sup
pose would be entirely passed over, and
the necessary provision be made for the
bo1dsur, of Tho Cfafo n1ocN:or
We commend this subject to the atten-
ton Of the Legislature, not doubling that
it will receive due consideration from the
members. The views we have taken are
those Of all with whom we have conversed
who have duly reflected on the course best
to be pursued.