The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-07
ELECTIONS IN THE SOUTH.
Becoming Fewer in Number than Elsewhere
and the Reasons for It.

and the Reasons for 1t.
Louisiana Is the third and last OF the South
ern States having a predominance of colored
voters to adopt such changes In the State Con-
stitution as radically restrict the suffrage.
Along with the adoption of the new Constitu-
tions In South Carolina. Mississippi. and
Louisiana successfully. there has been a grad
ual extension Of the time between elections
in these States and In Southern States gener-
ally. the opinion Of Southern leaders Of both
parties apparently being that the too frequent
recurrence of elections for State and legislative
officers is not a good thing. and that better re-
suits can be obtained by fewer elections.
Under the new Louisiana Constitution mem
bers OF the Legislature are chosen for four
years. and the term OF all the State officers ia
four years, too. there being no election in
Louisiana until 1900. South Carolina formerly
elected a Governor every two years and men,
bers OF the Legislature every year. Now Sem
ators serve for four years and Representatives
for two, and the term OF all the State officers is
two years. Mississippi elects a Governor for
four years and members OF the Legislature for
four years. State officers in Mississippi are
elected for four years except the Chief Justice,
who has q term OF nine years. AS a conse-
quence. II II were not for the recurrence of Con-
Rress, elections. the voters OF Mississippi
would vote only once In, four years. az is the
In Missouri formerly the term OF Governor
was two years. but It is now four. and State
officers In Missouri are elected for four years,
the term OF state Senators being four years
also. The next State election In Missouri will
be an Nov. =. 1900. the same day as the Presi-
dental election. Virginia is still another
Southern State In which the infreIuency OF
elections is thought TO. be a good thing. The
term OF the Governor OF Virginia is four years,
and the Attorney-Genera and Lieutenant-Goy-
ernor have a like term. Virginia elects State
Senators for four years, and adopts, too, the
plan OF holding its, State election In the year
succeeding the Presidential election. The next
State election in Virginia will be on Dec. i,
1901, and the contention Is made that good re-
suits have already attended this plan Of State
elections once in Tour years, and OF state officers
and Legislators chosen for long terms, Norfh
Carolina ID another Southern State which
adopts the same plan of infrequent elections
for State officers, although IL elects membersof
the Legislature in alternate years, The term
OF the Governor and OF the other State Officers
In North Carolina Is four years. The Chief Jus
tice of the Supreme Court is elected for ak
In Kentucky a tour-years term for doyernor
and State officers Is the rule. and In West Vir-
ginia. in which formerly the term OF GoYernor
was three years, the Governor and all the State
officers are now elected for four. There will
not be a State election In West Virginia until
the year OF the next Presidential election. -Four
years is the term OF Governor and State Officers
In Florida, and In the South generally iour.
year terms have become the rule. There are
no annual elections In any State OF the South.
and there are annual sessions OF the IaVisia'
ture In but two States only. the States Of Geor-
giA nj South Carolina.