Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1898 — Terms of Trustees- [ARTICLE]

Terms of Trustees-

There is a demand from various localities in the state that the supreme court be called upon to construe the law passed by the last legislature, changing the time of holding the election of township trustees and assessors from November, 1898, to November 1900. The law was advocated by the Township Trustees’ association, the representatives of which maintained that they were entitled to serve a term equal to that of their predecessors. The trustees elected in April, 1890, served until August, 1895. The legislature of 1892 passed a law providing that township officers should be elected at the general elections in the fall, instead of at special elections in the spring, and that such officers should take office in August following election. Although the supreme court, at a late day, held that the terms of trustees oould not be extended beyond the four year period, the trustees all held until August 1895. It is pointed out that if the law enaoted by the last legislature is permitted to the present trustees and assessors will serve from August, 1895, to November 1900. Representatives of both the old party organizations have been conferring the subject, and a suit will probably be agreed upon.