Arizona republican., 1911-12-25
One of the Democratic Sen ators-e elect Explains Why Men Elected December 12 Will Hold Office Only a Year
DISCUSSES ALL
 POINTS OF LAW
It is Now Up to Some of the Other Democratic Politicians to Tell Why They Would Violate the Constitution

As the attorneys concede that whether we have a general election m 1912 will depend entirely on legisla- tive action or rather non-action, The Republican for the information of its readers has interviewed C E. Wood. state senator-clect, in regard to the probable situation in the premises. He answers the latter part of the question by saving the legislature will obey the constitution and it is easy to infer what Obeying the constitution mearS to him.
 In the first place it is well to un- derstand that no one claims that the constitution authorizes under any cir CumstanCes a three year term.
 It is admitted first that the follow ing language. Sec. l., Art ". settles the fact that the terms of the eXecu- tive or state officers terminate on the first Monday of January. 1913, viz. ,terms of officel shall end on the first Monday in January. A. D. 1913. pr when their successors are elected and qualify"
 Also Art. MI. Sec. 3. except that such officers elected at the first cleo ticn for state and county officers shall serve until the first Monday in Jan uary. 1915"
 It is admitted l say that the above clauses definitely fix the date of ter imitation of the first set of state and county officials. but that under Art XXII. Sec. I3. and the clause quoted above all officials serve until their successors are elected and qualify"
 Now it is claimed that the cpnsti- tuition in another section says there must be no election in 1912 therefore although their terms oi office telni- rate on the first Monday in January. 1913. they can hold for two wears longer under the clause until his sue cessor shall be elected and qualify" CArt. XXII. Sec. l5D
 Their authority for such an asser- ton they claim is in the following section. Sec. II. of Art. VII as fo'- lows:
 Sec. IT. There shall be general election of representatives in congress, and of state. county. and precinct of ficers on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the first
 
 which Arizona is admitted to state hood and biennially thereafter.
 This is interpreted by some to for bid an election before 1914 If SD We cannot elect "a representative in con- gress'' in 1912 And as members of congress do not hold until their sue cessors are elected and qualified. Ari- 2cna would be without representation in the lower branch of congress for ;,No years.
 A state is not compelled to elect members to either branch Of congress, it is simply left without representa- ton. IL can consult its own pleasure in the matter
 On the other hand if this section is interpreted 10 allow an election of "a representative in congress" in 1912. it | is hard to see on what grounds the legislature could refuse or neglect 10 supply way to fill other vacancies. that happen even before that of the representative to congress.
 Some have thought it possible to save the new state the cost Of d gen Cral election in 1912. But this cannot l he if We care to participate in the <, lection of d president for this United 1 States. We must at least elect pres | idential electors and il will cost the l state as much to elect presidential ] electors as whole ticket. It coStsf as much to elect one man as it does l 10 elect a dozen.
 But if section II k interpreted to | f. rbid a general election in 1912, at 1 what sort of an election will We SC 1 lect presidential electors anyway? Al special election?
 As d matter of fact the reason the | words Representatives in Congress" 1 appear in section II. is that in some 1 states the election Of representatives to congress and the election of state | officers are set on different dates. and ! the constitutional convention wished | to deny the legislature the power Of l putting the state to the expense of | having separate elections.
 Perhaps some of our constitutional | lawyers may be able 10 advise us how l to have "a general election of repre- l sentatives in congress" without having 1 ar election to fill the vacancies in of l flee that occur even before that of a | member 10 congress.
 During the campaign the democrats l told with great glee story of how an Arizonan visiting in the east de- |
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