Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-18
ApoLIsHINa THE OCTOBER ELnc.
TIONS.

I4Sno.
A Joint resolution proposing an
amendment TO the Constitution, for the
purpose Of getting rid Of our October
election, or, in other words, taking
West Virginia out Of the list OF "Octo-
Der States" is one which we fancy will
not stir up one.half the feeling OF the
temperance amendment, and one which
will commend itself to the whole people
without respect to party.
Such a resolution has been introduced
in the House OF Delegates, and Will 60
through both branches without much
il any, opposition. 1t not only reiieves
the State OF the unnecessary expense oil
two elections within one month OF each
other, every four years, but 1t avoids
subjecting the election for State officers
to the unwholesome influences oil
foreign manipulations and decker
ing in the interest OF the Pres
iIential election Immediately follow
ling. Men and money are sent into the
State from abroad in the Presidential
wear, for the purpose Of controlling the
State election entirely in the interest oil
the national contest, and the result is
that all State issues are ohscured and
crowded out Of sight and out OF mind.
Moreover it has an influence upon the
succeeding Presidential election which
il should not have. The latter is ylr-
tually determined, as far as the State is
concerned, by the October election, and
neither Of the elections are really decid-
ed upon their merits.
There are only three States, or two
beside our own, which cling to this I'M
necessary provision. Indiana will soon
amend her constitution in this regard.
A majority Of the people are In favor oil
it in all the States in which the practice
obtains.
The Legislature OF this State is author
lied by the Constitution to change the
time OF holding the general election, but
the Same section which gives the au-
thority to alter the time, makes the
terms OF members Of the Legislature to
begin "on the first day OF November,
next succeeding their election" Hence,
if they were elected in November, they
would not take their seats for more than
year after election, and the amend
ment to the constitution is made neces-
sary to change the time when their
terms shall begin to the first day OF De-
cember next succeeding their election.
The followingis the amendment pro-
posed:
House Joint resolution No. II, propos-
inc an amendment to the Constltu-
ton OF the State:
Resolred, By the Legislature OF West
Virginia, two.thirds OF all the members
elected to each House agreeing thereto,
that the following be and the same is
hereby proposed as an amendment to
the Consultation Of this State, to-wit:
That section 7 OF article 4, as It now
is, be stricken out, and the following be
inserted in lieu thereof:
The general elections OF State. and
county officers and OF members OF the
Legislature, shall be held on the Tues.
day next after the first Monday in No
vember, until otherwise provided by
law. The terms OF such officers, not
elected or appointed to fill a vacancy,
shall, unless herein otherwise provided,
begin on the first day OF January, and
of the members OF the Legislature, on
the first day OF December next succeed
ing their election. Elections to fill va
cancies shall be for the unexp:red term.
When vacancies occur prior to any gen.
eral election, they shall lie filled by APP
pointments in such manner as may be
prescribed herein, or by general law,
which appointment shall expire at such
time after the next general election as
the person so elected to fill such vacan-
CIV shall be qualified.