Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-23
ABOUT UNITED STATES SENATORS.

We often hear people talking of
long term and short term United
States Senators but the fact is
that all full Senatorial terms are
now OF the same length-six years
except in case Of new States adj
mitted to the union, or where a
vacancy has occurred, and the I'M
expired portion Of the term is TO
be filed. II was only on the first
election of United States Senators
under the constitution that all Sena-
tors were divided into three classes,
with terms respectively Of two, four
and six years. The provision of the
constitution in this matter is as fol-
lows art. l., Sec. 3):
"Immediately after they (the
Senators) shall be assembled in con
sequence OF the first election, they
shall be divided as equally as may
be into three classes. The seats Of
the Senators of the first class shall
be vacated at the expiration Of the
second year, of the second class at
the expiration OF the fourth year,
and Of the third class at the explra-
ton Of the sixth year, 50 that one.
third may be chosen every second
year"
The first classification was made
by lot, and Senators Of new states
admitted were and are assigned TO
the several classes so as to keep
them as near even as possible
After the first allotment, however,
all subsequent Senators take, and
have taken, term Of six years.
Virginia has had thirty-iiye Sen
ators-beginning with VIM. Gray
son. whose terLI began March lth,
1889, bnt which he filled till only
March 3rd, 1890, when he died. OF
the thirty.fye John Taylor, WIN.
b. Giles, Andrew Moore and w.
G. Rives served in both Senatorial
classes-Rlcbard Henry Lee being
the first Senator Of the second class
from Virginia. James Monroe was
elected twice to the Senate, but on
" once to full term; Stevens +.
Mason was three times elected
once to an unexpired term John
Taylor was once appointed to an
unexpired term, once elected to a
like term, and once to full term ;
VIM. b. Giles was appointed to a
vacancy, then elected to another
vacancy, and twice elected to full
/ terms: James Barrour was thrice
elected-Once to fill an unexpired
term; John Tyler was elected twice
once to a full term; W. {. Rlves
was twice elected-but only to one
full term; Andrew Moore was once
appointed and once elected to fill
vacancies; James NJ. Mason was
twice elected to full terms, and
once to an unexpired term Little
ton w. TaZewell was twice elected
once to a full term Ben jamin w.
/ Leigh was elected twice-Once to a
vacancy; r. VI. T. Hunter (still
/ living was thrice elected to success
siye full terms, but retired on the
2Sth OF March, 1861; and John w.
Johnston was thrice elected-tO
TWO full terms and vacancy.
The other Senators from Virginia
besides those already named, were
John Walker, 1890; Abraham b,
Vcnable, 1903; Richard Brent 1909;
John Randolph, 1925 Isaac 5.
/ Pennybacker, 1915; Waitmen T.
Wiley, 1861 Samuel S. Bowden,
1896; John +. Lewis, 1870; Robert
T.. Withers, 1915; VIM. Malone,
1881 ; Henry Tazewell, 1884,; vii.
son G. Nicholas, 1900: Armstead
T. Mason, 1876; John w. Eppes,
1917; James Peasants, 1919; Rich
ard L. Parker, 1886, VIM. II. Roane,
1887; VIM. s. Archer, 1871 |; John
$. Garlic, 1861 f; Harrison II. Rid.
dleberger, 1855. At the last SEES.
sion OF the Legislature, Hon. John
W. Daniel was elected to succeed
Senator Malone, whose term will
expire March Sd, 1887. Senator
RlddIeberger holds until March Sd,
lSS9.-PctcrSJurg hder. ApPedL