Morris tribune., 1889-02-27
Four-Year Terms.

A bill has been introduced in the
house, which fixes the terms of county
officers at four years, instead of two, We
think the idea good one and hope the
bill will pass. The four-year term has
been adopted in many of the states, and
ought to be adopted by Minnesota. A
two-year term is not sufficiently long to
warrant any really good business man in
accepting the nomination. Every one
who has had any experience in politics
knows full well that the expense, to say
nothing of the time, is heavy in every
political campaign, and cannot under the
present System of conducting political
campaigns we'll be avoided, that is' II
the candidate expects to be elected. Many
an office.holder will tell you that it cost
him good portion of his first years
salary to "get there" and no doubt he
tells the truth. Mind, now, we are not
advocating nor defending the use OF mo-
ney in elections for corrupting purposes,
but simply stating the fact which every
one who takes any part in politics fully
knows-that running for office is expen-
sive business; that it takes money and
time to conduct a political campaign
successfully. This is one reason why we
are in favor of longer terms, and conse-
quently fewer elections. 1t would not
only be better for candidates, but also
better for the community at large. 20
litical campaigns are not generally con
sidered as ranking among the highest
and most useful agencies for the promo,
ton of temperance, good order and re-
fined morality, consequently the less We
have the better it will be for society.
And then again, a new man in an office
when elected for only two years, scarcely
gets full insight into the business Of
his office before his term expires. If hi
desires to be elected for another term
and if he has proved to be a competen
officer, it is for the interests Of the peo
pie that he should be-he is put to an
other heavy and unnecessary expense
As rule we believe in four-year term
for all elective officers, unless perhap
in case of certain municipal officers.
Such being our views, we earnestl.
hope the bill will pass and become law
Below VIC give the full text of the bill:
A bill for an act to fix the terms of offic
and time of election of the Count
Trsasurers, County Superintendent
Schools, County Coroners, County SUI
yeyors, County Auditors, County She1
ifs, County Registers of Deeds, an
County Attorneys of this State, so tina
/ the first four shall alternate with tn
last four mentioned in this title.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of tn
State of Minnesota:
Sec. /. There shall be elected in eac
county in this state at the next geners
election held therein and every fourt
, year thereafter, a county treasurer,
, county superintendent of schools,
county coroner, and county surveyor
whose terms of Office shall commence o
the first Monday of January sncceedin
their election, and who shall hold thei
office for term of four years and unit
their SUCCESSORS are elected and qHalltlec
J, Sec. 2. There shall be elected IN eac
county in this state at the next geners
, election held after the general electio
mentioned in section one ~ of this &C
and not before, and every fourth yes
r thereafter, county auditor, count
register of deeds, a county sheriff and
f county attorney, whose terms Of oftic
shall commence on the first Monday i
t Jan'y succeeding their election, and VIII
shall hold their Office for term of for
D years and until their successors are cleo
D ed and qualified.
al Sec. 8. All acts and parts Of acts IL
8 consistent herewith are hereby repealed
VI Sec. 4. This act shall take effect an
8 be in force from and after its passage.