The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-01-25
RECALL OF PUBLIC OFFICERS,

The penalty of dismissal for publi'
officers who betray their trust or per
form unsatisfactory service, is pro
posed In one Of the measures before
the twelfth assembly. The proposed
legislation is not by any means ar
experiment; it has been tested in other
ststes. and is said to have resulted il
great public benefit.
The "recali" bill contemplates the
submission of an amendment to the
state constitution. and provides tina,
upon the petition of twenty-five per
cent OF the voters of the district, a
special election may be held to elect a
successor to the offending officer. he
must resign within five days after the
petition is filed, else he will be immedi-
stely ousted from Office. An election
will be held within 20 days after the
filing Of the petition to determine
whether the official shall, or shall not
continue to serve the commonwealth.
The salient features OF the bill are
as follows:
EVERY public officer 10 Montana is
subject 10 herein provided, to recall
by the legal voters Of the state or of
the electoral district from which he is
elected. There may be required twen-
ty.ive per cent, but no more, of the
number of voters who voted in his dis
trict at the preceding election for said
officer to file their petition demanding
his recall by the people. They shall
set forth in said petition the reasons
for said demand. II be shall offer his
resign alton it shall be accepted and
take effect on the day it is offered and
the vacancy shall be filed as may be
provided by law.
1T be shall not resign within FIVE
days after the petition ia filed, a spe.
cial election shall be ordered TO be
held within twenty days in his said
electoral district to determine whether
the people shall recall said officer.
On sample ballot at said election
shall be printed 10 not more than two
hundred words, the reason for de-.
manding the recall Of said officer as
set forth In recall petition, and in not
o than two hundred words, the of.
ficer's justification of his course in Of.
fee. He shall continue to perform the
duties of his Office until the result of
said special election shall be officially
declared.
"Other candidates for the Office may
be nominated to be voted for at said
special election. The candidate who
shall receive the highest number of
votes shall be deemed elected for the
remainder OF the term, whether it bs
the person gainst whom the recall is
filed, or another. The recall petition
shall be filed with the officer with whom
the petition for nomination to said
Office shall be filed, and the same Off.
Ger shall order the special election
when 1t is required.
mo such petition shall be circulated
against any officer until be has &C.
tually held his Office six months. save
and except that it may be filed against
q senator or representative 10 the leg.
islative assembly at any time after
five days from the beginning Of the
first session after his election.
"After one such petition and special
election no further recall petition shall
be filed against the same officer during
the term for which he was elected un.
less such further petitioners shall first
pay into the public ire asury which has
paid such special election expenses,
the whole amour of its expenses for
the preceding special election