Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-01
For the State Sentinel.
SIOrton's Eligibility.

The Constitution provides that the Governor
"shall hold his Office during four years, and shall
rot he eligible more than four wears in any pc
riod of eight years" liz also provides that ''in
case OF the removal of the Governor from
Office, or Of his death. resignation. or inability
to discharge the duties of the Office. the same
shall devolve the Lieutenant Governor"
At the last election Lane was elected Gov
ernOr and Morton Lieutenant Governor Sup
pose that LIne serving out his full term of
Office as Governor, and Morton his full term rs
Lieutenant Governor, Lane would not of course
be elig IDLE 10 election Governor at the next
election. but he would be eligible to election rs
Lieutenant Governor; aud suppose that AZ the
next election they would be 50 eiectei-Morton
GoveFn0r AMI Line Lieutenant Governor; and
suppose that after sach election Morton should
resign; upon whom would devolye the duties of
the Office OF Governor? OF course upon Line,
the Lieutenant GovernOr-the person designated
by the Constitution discharge the duties of the
Office in such a case. So that it seems plain that
though Line. in consequence of having been
elected Governor at the last election. would not
be eligible 10 re election atthe nex, election, vet
that he might tier having served during the last
four years by virtue of his election he vet the
proper person 20 discharge the duties Of the
Off e during the next succeeding four years, by
virtne OF the constitutional provision derolviug
the duties upon him in case of the resignation
person. though not eligible TO hold the
Office OF Governor by virtue of election for mare
than four wears out Of any period of eight years.
nav vet he the proper person tn discharge the
duties ofthe Office for more than -four years out
ofauy period of eight years J. T. NJ
The foregoing written by prominent Re-
publican and we give it by request, as making a
strong case in favor of the eligibility OF MoRroS
to hold the Office of Governor eight consecutive
years or two consecutive terms. The contingent
CO which our correspondent states has not
CURED, or is it likely to occur. hence its discus
sion has no practical value. There is no
doubt that person who has held the Office Of
Governor for four years. is eligible to election
as Lieutenant Governor for succeeding term
by reason Of constitutional disability. The Con-
stitutiOn provides that the Governor "shall
not be eligible more than four years in any period
of eighf years" hence person who has he'll. the
ofi.e Of Governor for four years would be dis
abled from diseharging the duties which the
organic law Of the State devoves upon the Lieu
tenant Governor. aud that would disqualify him
for the position.
If election should occur. as stated By our
correspondent. and the off -er 50 elected should
be inaugurated. the Constitution provides the
remedy in case of the resignation or other disa
bility Of the Governor. Art 5. See 10 contains
the following provision: "The General Assembly
shall. by Law. provide for the case Of removal
from Office. death. resignation inability both of
the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, declaring
what officer shall then act accordingly, until the
disability be removed, or Governor can be
elected"
The construction that J. It. N places upon
the Constitution is untenable Ifa person, after
having held the Office Of Governor for four years.
should be elected Lieutenant Governor for the
succeeding term. aud then. by the resignation of
the Governor elected 70 discharge the execu-
tive power Of the State ,hould assume its duties,
he could BY the same process hold the office FOR
several terms. and thus defeat the plain intent Of
the Constitution. which Is. that the Governor
"sIiaIl not be eligible more t5an four years in
any.period Of eight years" Aud this prohibition
Of the Constitution il evidently intcndei to apply
to those who hold the Office. whether il has de
volved upon them by election succession.