Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1908-09-03

NEWS NOTES OF POLITICS.

There is a probability that the Sher-
iff to be elected in Camden county this
fall will serve the people in that ca
pacity for four years, although he will
be elected only for the regular three
year term. This probability is based
upon the contingency of the Legisla-
ture again passing and the people
adopting the proposed amendments to
the State Constitution which are now
being published in the Post Telegram
and other newspapers of the State.
These amendments were adopted by
the last Legislature and will be sub
mltted to the incoming Legislature for
further action. If again approved,> )
they will be submitted to the people at
special election to be held next year.
after the Legislature adjourns and be-
fore the regular election. Their adop-
tlon by a popular majority would
change the organic law.
The proposed constitutional amend
ment which if adopted will extend the
term of the Shorthand also extend
the terms of several other officials
published as Senate Concurrent Resolu-
ton No. 6. 1t provides, in brief, for
the separation of State and county cleo
tions from municipal elections, the
former to be held in the even numbered
years and the latter in the odd years.
This necessarily requires change in
the term of officials who are now
elected for an odd number of years.
Thus, the Governors term is made
four years, the term of Assemblynen
two years, the-terms of Senators. Sher-
ifs and coroners four years, the terms
of County Clerks and Surrogates six
years, etc.
This amendment, if adopted, is to go
into operation on February 1st, 1910,
and the first election under it's provis-
ions will be in November of that wear,
when Governor, members of the Leg
islature, and county officers will be
chosen. The next succeeding State and
county election will not be held until
1912. In the interval between these
two elections the term of the Sheriff to
be elected this fall will expire, to wit,
in November, 1911. To prevent a
hiatus in the Office, the constitutional
amendment provides that in such cases
the official shall continue in Office un-
til his successor is selected in accord
ance with the new plan, which in this
case would be at the 1912 election.
Therefore it is apparent that if the con-
stltutional amendments as now pub.
lished are adopted, the successor to
Sheriff Souder will serve one year in
addition to his regular term, not hav.
ing to retire until his successor is
elected and qualified in November,
1912.
In the same manner elective city Off
clals whose terms expire after Febru-
airy 1, 1910, and prior to the first mu.
nicipal election under the new plan,
will have their term extended until
their successors are chosen at this cleo
tion in November, 1911.
Perhaps the public in general has
given but little thought to these pros
pective changes in official terms, but it
is net to be believed that they have
been overlooked by the candidates,
making as they do the prospect of
office holding more inviting.
1t a Republican House of Assembly
is elected this fall the ratification O
the amendments at the legislative ses-
sion of 1909 will naturally follow, the
Republican party being pledged to the
plan OF separate elections and it is to
be assumed that the people will adopt
the amendments, so that the chances
favor four-year term for the incom-
ing Sheriff Of Cumberland county.
1t was announced this morning that