Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-08-27
CONCERNING COMMISSIONERS.

ihc oSeiSldly VI the oldtt mas Civ
en- official notice that, at the Novem-
Der election, there will be submitted
to the voters of Montana a proposed
constitutional amendment, designed
to lengthen the terms of present coun-
ty commissioners by fourteen months,
and to 81 arrange the boards that, af-
ter the first Monday in January, 1907,
one commissioner shall be elected in
each county every two years.
Section 4 of Article 16 of the con.
stitution, as it now and always has
been, reads:
I'm each county there shall be elect
ed three county commissioners, whose
term Of Office shall be four years. A
vacancy in the board of county com.
missioners shall be filed by appoint.
ment by the district in which the va
cancy occurs"
1t is proposed to amend this Sec
ton so it will read as follows:
"In each county there shall be elect
ed three county commissioners. whose
term of Office shall be six years; pro-
vided, that the term of office OF those
elected on November 6, 1900, shall
expire on the first Monday In Janu-
airy. 1907; provided, further, that at
the general election to be held in
November. 1902 lin counties where
commissioners are to be elected that
year,, three commissioners shall be
elected, whose terms shall expire on
the first Monday in January, 1907;
provided, further. that at the general
election to be held in November. 1906.
one commissioner shall be elected for
a term of two years. one commission.
err shall be elected for a term of four
years, and one commissioner shall
be elected for a term of six years,
whose term of office shall commence
on the said first Monday of January.
1907; and. provided further, that at
each general election thereafter. COM
mencing with the general election to
be held In November, 1908. one COM
missioner shall be elected for a term
of six years."
The terms of all commissioners in
all counties that were in existence
at the admission Of the state will,
unless the amendment be adopted.
expire November 6, 1905, and the
terms of all commissioners in all 9th.
er counties, four years from the date
on which they were elected. The
proposed amendment is designed to
so range the boards that there shall
always be two commissioners familiar
with county affairs. A similar amend
ment was once approved by the
people of the state. but the supreme
court declared it improperly submit
ted and not adopted.
The fact that the voters of the
state have once signified their approx.
al of this amendment would indicate
that they approved of the plan and
the object to be gained. This method
of electing commissioners would al
ways insure experienced men on the
board. those familiar with county af-
fairs. Every municipality has its
hold-over aldermen in order that some
members Of the board will have a
good knowledge of the run Of bust
ness. II important in city govern
ment. II is OF still greater importance
in the larger affairs. of a county. The
tenure OF office can be no objection,
for after the election in 1908. only one
commissioner serves for a period of
six years. The other two serve two
and four years respectively. From
the view point of good business pol
icy the change is a very desirable
one. The only objection that has
been offered is to the extension of the
terms of office Of present incumbents
in the various counties. but in order
TO get the matter Of their election adj
justed this can hardly be avoided.
There should be no politics I'm the
consideration OF this change. Would
1t prove beneficial in conducting the
affairs Of the county Is the only ques'
ton for the voter to determine.