The Elk Mountain pilot., 1902-09-30

ator Taylor Edward L. Taylor gives
lucid and detailed explanation of the
objects sought to be effected by the
two constitutional amendments, known
as the Taylor biennial election amend
ments," of which se is the author, ana
which are to be adopted or rejected by
the voters of Colorado at the next cleo
ton. These amendments, 1t Will be
remembered, have been strongly en-
dorsed by both the Republican and
Democratic parties Mt their state con-
ventions. Mr.. Taylor says:
II have had two main objects In
view in proposing these changes in our
organic law. There are, however, a
score of lesser beneficial features. In
the first place it occurred to me good
many years ago that the frequency OF
elections were a very great interfer-
ence with the business interests of the
state. With out spring municipal cleo
tions, May school elections and the an
nual fall elections we have a continual
round of political turmoil. one cleo
ton is no sooner over than prepara-
tions begin for the next. There Is no
respite in Colorado from our constant
political agitation. Our campaigns are
continuous performance year in ana
year out. There is no opportunity for
political animosity, neighborhood feuds
ana Ill Will, lndI IS StlleluttN anu PNA-
meates all business and social func-
items, to become allayed. 1t occurred
to me that period of years rest
between elections would be of the ut
most benefit to the general public in
hundreds of different ways; that quite
a number of people in every city VINO
thrive by political strife might be re-
quired to seek some legitimate voca-
tion. and that the peace and quiet that
would reign in each community during
the non-political year would be of In
calculable benefit.
1.-THE first thing that l discovered in
taking Up the investigation OF the sub
tect twas that our constitution would
have to be amended in three particu-
lars to accomplish this result That Is,
all officials whose term of office was an
odd number of years would have to be
changed to an even number of years,
and all county officials who were elect
ed in odd years would have to have
their time of election changed to the
even years. In other words, all state,
district and county officials would have
to be elected in the even years and at
the same election. | first introduced
these measures in the Eleventh Cen
eral Assembly. But as our constitution
at that time only permitted OF one con
stitutionai amendment being submitted
by the Legislature at any one session.
and as there were some twenty-five
bills providing for constitutional
amendments before the Legislature, all
of the measures failed and no amend
ment was submitted. In the Twelfth
General Assembly 1 introduced an
amendment providing for the submis-
! sion of six amendments by each Legis-
lature. That measure was adopted
and submitted to the people and car
ried by an overwhelming vote in the
fall of 1900.
"In pursuance OF that provision. the
last Legislature passed bills providing
for six constitutional amendments,
which appear in the session laws of
1901, extending from pages 80 to 11o
inclusive. They are all Senate bills
and are as follows
"First-The Bucklin bill, called
modification of the Australasian tax
system.
"Second-The Rush bill. consolidat-
ing the city of Denver with Arapahoe
county, giving Denver home rule and
containing many other provisions with
which the public is familiar.
"Third-The Barela bill, providing
that all foreigners shall take out their
final naturalization papers before they
are entitled to vote or hold office in
this state.
"Fourth-The Moore bill, providing
that eight hours shall constitute
days labor in underground mines or
workings, blast furnaces, smelters, ore
reduction works, etc.
"Fifth-The Taylor district attorney
and county judge bill. providing that
hhose officials shall hereafter hold Of
flee four years instead of three as at
present, and shall be elected in the
even years. This amendment will not
infect the term of office of the present
bounty judges, but will extend the term
of the office of the present district at
torneys for the period of one year.
"Sixth-The Taylor county election
bill, providing that all county officers
lhall be elected in the even years when
THE state officers are elected. This Dill
kkes county commissioners hold
office for four years instead of three as
at present But the term of office of
all other county officials remains two
years as at present. The only change
as to their term of office being that
they are elected in the even years in
stead of the odd years. These last two
amendments are commonly called the
biennial election amendments They
have been indorsed by both political
. parties and if they are adopted at this
falls election there will hereafter be
no election whatever in the odd years,
excepting the city and town elections
and the May school elections. These
amendments have nothing to do with
municipal or school elections. They
will be conducted the same as hereto
fore.
"There is only one exception to the
above statement. We have three Su-
preme Court judges whose term of of
fee is nine years. One is elected every
three years. Once in every six years
n Supreme Court judge will be elected