New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-30
From Mississippi.
VICKSBURG, Miss, Oct. Ii, 1873

Sithobtht, MioS., Oct. Ii, 49,
| To the Editor e5Ae Ne9 National Era and Citi.en:
Tomorrow, and a few days subsequent
thereto, will be eventful in the political his
tory Of Mississippi. In obedience to the
proclamation of the Governor, the Legisla-
ture will convene in extraordinary session to
act upon the present law requiring an cleo
ton for State and county officers on the fourth
day of November prorimo. To say that the
calling of the Legislature together at this
period of our exciting campaign, is an out
rage upon the people, would be mild OK
preston. "The Sea Coast Republican," of
this State makes two sugges tons, either one
of which it hopes will be accepted, riz: "Iet
the Legislature meet, organize, pass resolu-
| tiOns denouncing the Governor for calling
them together, and then adjourn and go home |;
or after organizing, draw up articles of i'm
parchment, and impeach the Governor, for
attempting to hinder the people OF our State
from exercising that most sacred right of
every American cilizen-the right to vote j"
Our constitution, whichEas submitted to
the people for ratification in 1868, provided
for biennial elections but on account of sew
eral Objectionable clauses, and military
Governor, whose sympathies were antagon-
istic to the Reconstruction acts, it was de-
feated in that year. Congress again took the
matter in hand, struck out the Objectionable
clause, new military Governor was appoint
ed, and it was again submitted to the people
in 1869, retaining the clause requiring bien.
NAL elections when it was ratified. No county
officers were elected at that election, but they
were appointed by the Governor. But the
Constitution provided that all county officers
with the exception Of the clerks of the Courts
shall hold their offices for the period of two
years. The Legislature, therefore, in accord
ance with the spirit and letter of the Consti-
tuition, did not pass law requiring an cleo.
ton until I871-two years after the election
at which the Constitution Of the State was
ratified, and the same law requires an cleo.
ton to be held on the fourth day of Novem
Der 1873 for State and County officers. Nc
question vas raised as to the constitution.
ality Of the election Of l87l-except so far al
to the time when the said officers then elect
ed should take their places. The Attorney
General giving it as his opinion, that they
could demand their offices Immediately after
receiving their commissions, but Gov. Alcorn
contending that they could not demand then
until the commencement Of the political veal
as declared by the Constitution, viz: the
first Monday in January following the cleo
ton. But recently the Governor called upon
the Attorney General for his official opinion
as to the constitutionality Of the law of 1871
under which county and district officers WERE
elected, and under which We have prepared
to hold our State and county election thi,
year. And the Attorney General has giver
it as his opinion that the said law requirin,
an election this year for State and county
officers il unconstitutional. cannot Civ,
. you an elaborate statement of his opinion il
| Q single communication, but will state it in {
nutshell. Our election of 1860, was in tn,
of year; we then elected State officers, mem
ben OF the Legislature, and Congressman
! The State officers were elected for the fou
years, members Of the Legislature for tw,
J years, and members Of Congress, for the ex
pired term Of one year and the succeedin,
full term of two year,. The Constitution re
, quires biennial elections for county officers
and members Of the Legislature, and quad
rennial elections for State officers; and il
obedience TO the Law Of Congress, biennia
elections for members Of Congress. The cleo
, ton for Congressmen to take place on tn