Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-06-03
October Election.

MEssRs EDrroRs - perceive by an
act of the late Lcg. aturc, that there
has been a radical change in the EJECT
ion Laws of our State. That our April
elections arc done away with, except in
the case of the election OF State Super
intcndcnt OF Public Instruction, and
that we are but to have one general
election in the year, for State, County
and Township officcrs,-which is the
second Tuesday of October. Notwith-
standing the truth of this statement
and the fact that the law has been pub
lishcd in our public journals. Ivcn-
turc to say that-so negligent arc we
as a people to pursue the Lengthy laws
enacted by orr legislature-there is
not one in fifty appraised of this altora-
ton, SO far as the entire alteration of
our general April election is concern
cd.
In view of this, purpose to call the
attention of the public through your
journal, to the principal provisions of
this new law, which it is important
they should be familiar with and I'M
derstand. This new law is not only
for the future, but if may be allowed
to give legal opinion, | consider that
it affects our last April election, inso-
much that all offices filled at said
election, will be required to be voted
for at the ensuing October election
Hence the necessity of the people be-
ing fully acquainted with the main
features Of our Election law that they
may be prepared to act accordingly.
(Ihere shail be held throughout the
State, on the second Tuesday Of October in
each Year, an election for all offices required
by law to lie chosen at such election to be
called the general election, except the wears
OF the Presidential election, when the gem
al election shall be held on the Tuesday
next al er the first Monday in November
Special elections are sYch as are held in
pursuance OF a special la ", and such as are
held to supply vacancies in any office,
whether the same be filled by the vote of
the qualified voters of the state. or any dis
trict, county or township, and may be held
at such time as may be designated by such
special law, orthe proper officer duly au-
th"rized TO order such election
All vacancies which are about to occur j,
office by the expiration of the full term
thereof shall be supplied at the general
election next preceding the time at which
such term will expire
The term of Office Of all State district
county and township officers, except sinner.
vlsors chosen at the general election. shall
commence on the first Monday of January
next thereafter, except it be otherwise nro-
Slued oy the constitution or the provisions
OF this act. and EXCEPT, all, n person he
chosen TO MI vacancy in any public Office
| III which case his term OF office shall CO.,,
mence as soon as ne shall qualify for tho
performance of the duties Of the Office 70
which he may be elected Proyid,d how
ever, that any person elected to any pubIic
office PRIOR to tie adoption of the me-, co,s,;
tuition MAY hold his office for the FIJI term rs.
scr,bcd by tie lams in force at tie time of lis
election unless other,cise prouidedIg the con
stitmtion or taos of the Stcte) and TIE term
OF his successor shall expire at the same
time as if it had commenced on the first
Monday IN January next after his election
1t shall be the duty of the Governor, at
least thirty days before any general election,
to issue his proclamation designating ali
the offices to be filled BY the vote Of the
electors in the State, or by the electors Of
any Judicial district, and to transmit conv
thereof to the Sheriff Of each county Of H.
State.
After the above provisions, the law
then dcsignates the offices to be filled
the present year and annually. bicnn;.
ally DC. thereafter. The law provides
for the election in the year 1858 of the
following officers, to wit:-Secretarv
Auditor and Treasure of State, Attor.
ney General, Registers of State Land
office, Commissioners of DesMoines
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