The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-08-13
HOLD OVER.
The County Officers and
their increased term.
Opinions of the local Legal
Fraternity.
Probability that no election
will be held.

The question of holding an election this
fall for county officers seems to claim
considerable attention, and the opinion is
divided pro and con. There are many
who seem to think no election should be
held unless absolutely necessary, on ac-
count of the expense while Others are
equally pronounced for an election. Others
still claim that an election cannot be legal
ly held, and others that it must be held;
that there is no alternative but to hold it,
and so the matter is viewed. THE ARGUS
has already published some opinions on
the matter, and below gives the views of
others:
JUDGE ADAMS.
This official was not inclined to interview
but in an informal talk SAID he regarded
it as a matter he did not care to talk upon.
He was an interested party, and, of course,
whatever he said there would be some I'M
charitable ones to misconstrue. He thought
the whole subject hinged upon the time
when the amendment was in force and eff
feet; he thought it was in effect now, but
others differed from him, and opinion was
divided on the subject. Personally, he did
not care to give an opiuion, officially, at
least, and had made up his mind not to
talk about it; he certainly would not rush
into print over his signature. ri think,
said the Judge, "that the Tribune, of Chi
cago, is wrong, because the constitution
does not make any mandatory proviso as
is claimed in regard to holding elections
in 1881. think the opinion of Judge
Parks a sound one, and his construction
of what constitutes holding over of county
Office until the appointment of their sue
cessors, is very clear.
As for test case, do not see how one
can be made up until cause exists,
I think the amendment is in full force and
effect and if it is, then the question OF officers
holding over is settled. 1t provides for an
election in 1882, and that would appear to
be sufficient. I want you to remember,
however, that am not giving an official
opinion; simply expressing my views OF
the case 1t don't make any difference
with me whether an election is held or not
this fall am not losing any sleep on ac-
count of it, If the election is held, it is
all the same to me, and If it is deferred,
am equally uncencerned. In fact l don't
care one way or the other how it is settled
so far as l am individually concerned.
MAJOR H. C. CONNOLLY.
This gentleman was of the opinion that
the ruling of the attorney general was suf-
ficient. He was the proper officer to look
into such matters and had given the mat
ter close attention sI am inclined to &C
cept the opinion of the attorney general,
said the Major, ''and I do not believe there
viii be an election held. / see by
the papers that the people of
Mclean county are going to make
IN agreed case for submission to the
supreme court and it would perhaps be
well enough to be guided by that. do
not think that an election is necessary nor
hat one win be held. Some of the ablest
awyers in the State together with the
attorney general have so concluded and
hat will probably end it"
W. II. GEsT, ESQ.
This gentleman was found at his office
md gave his views freely. He said he
thought the amendment adopted was in full
force and that an election was unnecessary
md would hardly be held. The mistake is
n the opinion that the legislature has pas
Jed the new law. This is not so, it was
he people who adopted the amendment
md the provisions of it extend the tenure
If office whose term would have expired
his fall, one year. The people did
his; they, and not the legislature, exten
led the terms of Office. Now then it
s said the power is in the
people, and so it is, and as the people have
voted to postpone elections until 1882, the
county officers in my opinion hold over,
md no appointments by the Supervisors is
necessary This is my judgment of the
natter from the attention have given it,
md / do not think that an election will be
leld. When you remember that the people
voted for the change, the matter at once
becomes, not bubble over the right of
The legislature to pass law extending the
terms of office, but is change made by the
people; an extension of Office tenure by
he people-in fact it is the peoples act,
md as the power is in the people, then
he necessity for an election is ebviated.
HON p. oMARA
was very outspoken In his views and en-
declared for an election this fall
He thought the amendment was not in
force until 1882, and that it was clearly the
iuty of the county clerk to call an election
He had thought so from the beginning and
lad seen no reasons to change his views.
Mr.. O'Mara went on in general way to
discuss the various phases of the law in the
natter, and copcluded by saying: g under
he circumstances / think there should be
IN election"
II. N. coRBETT, ESQ,
had given the subject no attention and was
not prepared to,give an opinion. On gen.
sral principles however, he thought an
election shoula be held He thought the