Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-07-20
TO THE PRESS OF rENNEssEE.


Il ~ NAG Al u8k ElGEAA04 &c AHA
We again call the attention of the
public, and especially the editorial
fraternity, to the Investigation Of
this question.
By what authority do the people
propose to hold an election on the
first Thursday in August next? Is
there any clause in the Constitution
sanctioning it? II not, then by
what authority do they propose to
hold said election? We want the
Press and the Bar to answer these
questions, and If they can, show by
what authority they proceed TO hold
said election.
The Constitution fixes the time,
and says when these elections shall
be held, and outside, of that, the peo-
pie have no right to act. Any cleo
ton not held in accordance with the
time and mode prescribed by the
| Constitution is bound to be null and
void. The Constitution says that:
Elections for judicial and other
civil officers, shall be held on the LIST
Thursday in August, one thousand,
eight hundred and seventy, and for
ever thereafter on the LIST Thursday
In August next pseceding the expira-
ton OF their respective terms Of SER
vice." In the Schedule il saws:
THAT no Inconvenience may arise
from change Of the Constitution.
It is declared that the Governor of
the State, the members ofthe GeneF-
al Assembly, and ali officers elected
at or after the general election in
March, 1870, shall hold their offices
for the terms prescribed in this Con-
sttution." Now, what are the terms
prescribed in the Constitution? 1t
says that the Sheriff and Trustee
shall hold their offices for two years,
ETC., etc.
At the general March election,
under the old Constitution, the pres
ent acting. Sheriffs, Trustees, Regis
tiers and Tax Collectors were elected.
They were qualified the LIST Monday
in April, 1870, and their term of SER
vice dates from that time and expir-
ed in April, 1872.
Now, we contend that the Consti-
tuition required the holding OF the
election to fill said Offices Of Sheriff,
/ Trustee and Tax Collector on the
| 1st Thursday in August, 1871, for il
expressly says that the election shall
fsprecede the vacancy" but the cleo
ton proposed to be held now, is at
least three months after their terms
of service expired.
Now, will some one learned in the
law tell us by what authority these
officers hold over until August, and
no longeri Because the people failed
to hold the election as the Constitu-
ton directs, have they the right to
hold il at any other time that may
suit their convenience, and if so,
what is the use of any Constitution
al enactment on the subject?
We hold that the Legislature nor
| the people have not the power to
change the time fixed by the ConBti-
tuition, and that all officers, such as
Sheriffs, Trustees and Tax Collect
ors elected in March, 1870, are en-
titled to hold their offices by virtue
of the Constitution until the first
Monday in September, 1873.
AS Revenue Collector for Bedford
county we shall proceed, at the
| proper time, by law, in this matter.
Other officers may do as they please,
but knowing our rights we shall
maintain them, if ecessary.-SheL-
6yriLle ReSoae.
The Chicago Post calls Henry A.
Wise, of Va, conservative man
of the South" He was one of the
greatest braggarts in the Southern
army during the war, and the most
imbecile of its officers. His support
of Grant is NATURALIZATION Post.
This man Wise supports Grant,
because Grant IS not soise-and
Grant viii probably appoint Wise
to office-if reelected because
Wise is Othertoise than sensible or
patriotic.
@ The Chicago Tribune has this
to say about a somewhat distin-
guished Tennesseean:
General Pillow, of Tennessee,
who has recently declared for Grant,
has a large claim for mules pending
in the War Department, which said
mules were coufiscated while he
was a General in Confederate army.
Comment on the purity of his mo-
tives is useless.
Greeley to the Front.
The Chicago News says. "NeVer be-
fore has been known such a general
turning of political fronts as now.
Thousands upon thousands of Re
publicans who voted for Grant are
now arraying themselves on the side
of Greeley and Brown. This is not
the case in isolated States, but is
general"
One by one.
The Laporte Ind.) Argus says:
zone of the Grant Electors in the
south part of this State has resigned
his position, and is actively engaged
in advocating the election Of Hor-
ace Greeley. If reports are true,
there is another EIector on the
Grant ticket, this time in the north
part of the State, who does not hest
tate to say he prefers Greeley to
Grant"
The rising Tide.
The Louisville Courier-Journal
says:
The Greeley enthusiasm is so great
and so universalt that many people
are beginning to doubt whether
Grant viii carry half dozen States.
The indications certainly are that
the man of Long Branch will be
overwhelmingly defeated.