Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-10
Too Many Elections.

Massachusetts and Rhode Island are
the only states in the Union which still
elect their state officers annually. They
are old commonwealths in which con-
servatism is ingrained. Governor
Prothier of Rhode Island has made a
suggestion to the legislature that the
term of office of these state officers in
these states be made two years. That
was probably as far as he dared go in
the matter Of suggesting reform.
There is no doubt that the short
term system involves great expense
and great disturbance to the business
interests of the state. Short terms Of
Office form one of the presentations of
political and general tranquility under
the constitution and laws of the Union,
but there is such a thing as making
the terms so short. as to defeat the &C
ton of the law and the spirit of the
constitution.
Elections are expensive in these
days OF increased population and multi
plication of Offices. New occasions
teach new duties. time makes ancient
good uncouth" The federal as well
as the state government have to adopt
their laws. in a certain sense, TO the
new conditions which arise, and this
can be done without violating any of
the vital prin ciples of the constitution.
Three of the states which used to hold
elections annually have abandoned
that practice. Iowa and Ohio not long
ago rearranged their political calen-
70 Of
choosing state officers in years in which
there was no elections for congress.
Pennsylvania recently did the same.
Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland still
have one of year" election in every
four years, and New Jersey selects a
governor in one on year" in every six
years. Nebraska and Michigan also
vote for a few minor officials in the
odd numbered years. But the present
tendency is all toward the elimination
of unnecessary elections, with their
labor and cost.
Rhode Island and Massachusetts
would probably be better of with BIZ
ennial or quardennial elections and
probably with biennial sessions. New
York chooses an assembly every year
and so does New Jersey. In both of
these states the legislatures hold an
nual sessions. In Illinois the terms of
the principal officers are four years
and the sessions of the general assem-
bly, biennial. and yet under present
conditions the multiplication of cleo
tons has become a Burden to the pub
lie.
Frequent appeals to the people and
short terms of Office are fundamental
doctrines of popular government, but
there ought to be some latitude in the
construction of the doctrines: not 700
much, but just enough Electors who
are called upon every year and, per-
haps, several times a year. TO decide
upon the choice of public officers, and
the decision of questions of public pol
icy are likely to become weary in we'll
doing" and neglect their duty. The
making of laws and the carrying on of
public business are matters of great,
and ii may be of supreme Importance,
but they do not constitute the whole
business Of life. You can prod the
weary voter so far and no farther.
There comes a time when he takes ad-
vantage of his Individual choice 70 vote
or not 10 vote. and that spells trouble.
for at that time the men who have a
chronic itch for place or a chronic
crouch rush into the polls and con-
troll the election.
State. county and municipal cleo
tons ought to be so arranged as TO
give the voter the greatest facility in
voting, and in considering the ques-
tons and the men on which he is TO
vote and to give him some time TO do
vote to the other good things of life
which he is entitled TO enjoy