Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-06-17
ROTATION IN OFFICE.
Gentleman Who Does not Be.
lieve in IL Speaks Hi Mind.

EDITOR INTELLIGENcRR AS the season for
the selection Of our public servants approaches,
the cry of rotation begins to be heard and the
people are warned from certain quarters against
the great danger that threatens them from this
alleged monster third termlsm. 1t strikes one
who has long resided in Lafayette county, and
been one OF her people, that this cry is spas
mOdic and emanates from an interested source,
and that the people are not in any more danger
from long terms in office than in times past,
| when the same individual held Office in our
county for years, and discharged the various
duties thereof with hdelity and to the satisfac-
ton of the people. Let us recur to the facts aud
learn the truth of this matter.
The Constitution of Missouri, adopted in 1920,
provides for the appointment of clerks by the
Judges thereof. and this was amended in 1884,
when the Office of clerk was made elective and
the term fxedat six years. and afteward to four
years and no restriction rs the number Of terms
one could be elected. We find that Young
Ewing, Esq, was appointed clerk In 1921 and
W as contil ued in that Office until 1895, because
he was faithful and served the people 10 the en-
tire satisfaction Of all concerned. He was sue
ceeded by William Spratt. Esq, who continued
In office until ls47, when lie was succeeded by
Lewis W. Small wood. who continued to mold
~ oAASS VI uIltl 1SOc, "utu lie us
followed by John p. Bowman, Esq.
While Young Ewing held the office of circuit
clerk, by appointment made by Judge David
Todd in the first instance. and afterward by
Judge J. F. Ryland twho succeeded Todd US
judge, he was at the same time clerk of the
county court, which he continued to hold from
ls!l IL 1876. when he was succeeded by the late
Judge Henderson Young. Judge Young was
county clerk from 1886 until 1915. when he was
succeeded Ivy Judge Edward Stratton. vino was
elected and Reelected and held the Office until
1852. when refusing to TAKE the oath of ioyally as
prescribed by the ordinance of the constitution
in 1862. his Office was declared vacant and Lewis
w : SniailwoOd appointed to fill the Vacancy.
Judge Stratton Was an honest, faithful and
efficient officer, and but for hts views On the
question OF taking the prescribed oath would, in
I'LL probability. have continued In Office until the
passage of tie gushing ordinance In 1865.
During all these years no hurt or damage be-
] fell the people ny reason of the long term OF
these gentlemen. This same custom OF keeping
In Office ior years Inen of honesty, integrity and
efficiency prevailed in other counties. Gen.
Parsons was county clerk OF Cole County Tor
years, and 1 have heard it said that Gen. Saml.
D. Lug IS was clerk of the circuit court and &
aiicio recorder oil Jackson county for nearly 30
| ytuTo Anu uut u5 ueltn, anu SO well satisfied
were the people that after his death his son Sic
ceeded him MS recorder Of deeds, which Office he
nov holds. In all this time The public inter. sis
were not neglected and the people not hurt
When there is great power attached To tile Office
and The holder thereof is invested with the
power OF patronage, as in the case of The presi-
dent OF the United States, there may he and
doubtless is danger in Continuing the same men
IN Office too long; but in the case of cuunty of-
hcers. when theie Ia little or no power and no
patronage attaching. 1t seems to Inc To he she, i
NONSENSE to cry Out danger, danger
These Offices belong 10 the people. They
select the officers directly. There are duties "a
tached 10 these Offices and labor TO be perf,,,r, II
by the holders thereof. Tie people cannot tai.
turn about in fulfilling these duties and in ue,-
q forming this work. Many OF us have not n e
8 ability; others not the time or inclination, and
[ some not the Integrity. Hence there must b,
: agents or oflcers selected by The people to iii
e these Offices and perform the ,aburs inciienI
e thereto. And all That the people should II,
Il careful about in selecting these agents or officer:
ID 10 know That these selected are competent uu.
faithful. The FARMER cannot always do all ti.
t work and labor demanded by his la, IN mn i.
eninpeiied to employ servants. In dong iins h,
Z seeks Ior the INDUSTRIOUS, the honest and I,Iihtu
1 ones. When he finds such he does not chang,
SD hong us they ar. willing To remain in hr
employ. What is the us,3 Where Is I'll. WESTON
lie or sense in making the change So In s-lcrlin,
'e possess the. QUALITIES of honesty. capacity an,
Of nueiitS, ana when these are found III an indl
=. vidual held on 10 him. This i'd the true and oni,
sale principle To be governed by in choOsin,
fr our public servants. Let the people act IN thi
= matter as the Wise farmer or Inerehanto or banke
e. does IN selecting his servants. Get the best, IT.
most faithful and industrious and let the ioniis
CITIZEN,