Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-11-18

There will be two elections next
year-the primary contest in Septem-
ber and the general election in No
vember.
Philip Il. Perlman, Secretary of
State, who drafted the quadrennial
elections amendment and the one
authorizing women to hold constitu-
tional Offices, as well as those created
by the Legislature, explains both
measures.
No Change In 1923.
"Therc will be no change in 1929"
said Mr.. Perlman, except that the
Governor, Attorney General and
Comptroller. who must be chosen
next fall, all will be elected for terms
of three years, instead of for four
year and two-year terms, as hereto
fore. This is to arrange the system
so that their successors will be elected
at the Congressional election of 1926.
"In 1926 the plan will have been
developed so that all State and county
officers, except judges of the circuit
courts, the Supreme Bench of Balti-
more City and the Court of Appeals,
will be elected for uniform terms of
four years. The term of none of
these judges is affected by the amend
ment and the only way it may touch
them is under appointments by the
Governor. AS all judges are elected
for terms of 10 years, it always has
been necessary for the Governor to
appoint u judge to fill the year inter-
vening between the expiration of the
term and the next general election.
Hereafter the Governor still will
make the appointments, but because
general elections, at which members
of the Legislature are chosen, will be
held only once in four years, there
may be times when the appointments
may be for period of upward of
four years.
To Serve Three Years.
estate Senators and members of
the House of Delegates who are cleo
ted next fall will be chosen for
term of three years. The General
Assembly will meet as usual in Janu-
ary, 1924, but will not meet again
until January, 1927. The Governor
to be elected next fall must prepare
and submit to the Legislature three
budgets for the three fiscal years
which will intervene before another
meeting of that body. The Legisla-
ture will, of course, fix the State tax
rate for three years.
"All county officers whose terms
have been two or four years will be
elected next fall for three-year terms,
in conformity with the general plan.
Beginning in 1926 Sherifrs who have
had two-year terms, County Commits
sioners in many counties, County Sur
veyors and probably most County
Treasurers will be elected for four
year terms.
County Officers Six Years.
"Registers of Wills and Clerks of
Courts and other county officials. to
be elected in 1928 for terms which
have been six years, will hold for
three years. Those elected in 1926
and thereafter will serve for four
years.
"Terms of all State and county
officers already elected and whose sue
cessors. under the old law, would not
be elected until November, 1925, are
increased one year by the adoption of
the amendment, so that their sue
cessors may be elected in 1926. All
six-year terms of those elected in
1919 and all four-year terms of those
elected in 1921 are extended to 1926.
This will apply to State Senators
elected last year and Clerks of Courts
and Registers Of Wills elected in 1919.
Terms To BE Unchanged.
"Those county officials whose sue
cessors would have been elected in
1927 will find their terms unchanged.
Their successors will be elected in
1926, but will not take Office until
year after their election-and will
hold for three years, that is, until
1880, when the four-year terms will
begin.
"Under this amendment and the one
providing for the State Comptroller
and State Treasurer. the Treasurer to
be chosen by the Legislature of 1924,
will serve three years. After that the
term will be four years.
Also Affects Appointees.
"The Quadrennial Elections amend
ment also affects officials who serve
by appointment. Those who are to be
appointed by the Governor in 1924 forI
terms which have been two years will
hold for three years. The reason for
this is that a number of these appoint
ments must be confirmed by the SEN
ate and the Senate will mot meet in
1926. Officials who heretofore have
>inted f- years win be