The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-02
AMENDMENT I4NIITING THE FRAN
CHIsE CREATEsSAN INTRICATE
LEGAL TANGLE.
DULUTH AND WINONA CITIES
ARE SPECIALLY AFFECTED BY
THE DOUBT THAT PREVAILS
IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES.
&c IS IT
GENERAL CHILDS
ATTORNEY
Questions That Have
Arisen.

What is to become of those persons
who have not yet taken out their sec
ond papers, but who were elected to
county and village Offices in November?
What feeling Of security have those
persons who have not yet taken out
their second papers, but who are serv-
ing out terms to which they were ap
pointed or elected?
Again, how will the offices in several
small villages in the state be filled in
the spring, when, according to several
state officers, there are not enough
fully naturalized citizens to vote, let
alone be elected? These questions arise
from the issuance of the proclamation
given out this week by Gov. Clough,
touching on the amendments to the
state constitution. To begin with, I'M
der the old constitution all persons who
had declared their intention of taking
out their final papers were entitled to
vote and hold office. This has been
changed, the amendment providing
that final papers shall be taken out at
least three months next preceding any
election, or the prospective citizen is
not entitled to the full rights of Amer
lean citizenship. In other words, an
alien may not, as formerly, take out his
first papers and allow the rest of it to
go by the board. Here the complica-
ton arises from the fact that at the
last election in sNoyember many per-
sons, having only their first papers.
were elected to office which they will
take with the new year. Will they hold
ONCE then legally, or not? In some
cases, 1T is said, the necessary two
years which must elapse between the
issuance of the first and final papers
had not elapsed before the November
election. In such cases what will be
decided as to their legality? Another
case. Early next March there will &C.
cur the village and township elections,
as provided by the general laws Ac-
cord1ng to the amended constitution
only those who have taken out. final
papers prior to December will be ELI
glble to vote or hold office. In some
sections OF the state, where the popula-
ton is largely made UP of foreign born
persons the statement is made that
there will not actually be enough men
to hold the few offices to be given out.
What then?
1t was learned at the capitol yester
day that in some of the cities in Min
nesOta, Duluth and Winona for exam
PIE, large number Of men will be dis
1ranch1sed so far as the spring cleo
ton is concerned.
There are scattered through the state
many officers of one kind or another
hllfng out terms which began two and
three years ago. \ What effect will the
amendment have upon them? VIII thew
not be Illegally holding office after this
time?
Nothing has been said or done at the
ofllce Of the attorney general regard
ing all these matters for the reason
that the fun has scarcely begun But
1t will surely come. It appears that
any steps taken to Dust from office or
prevent from taking office must come
from the attorney general through quo
Werranto proceedings.
Then still another question arises.
Can defeated candidate inspire such
action, or can any person who believes
the affairs of an officer are not being
properly administered, have steps taxi
Ell to unseat the incumbent?