38 Mo. 419 | Mo. | 1866
Lead Opinion
OPINION OP THE supreme COURT.
In the matter of the Question propounded by the Governor concerning the Election of Circuit Attorneys.
To his excellency Thomas C. Fletcher,
Governor of Missouri.
Sir:1 — In response to the question as to whether the offices of Circuit Attorneys in the several Circuits of, the State are legally required to be filled by election in November next, we will say that we have examined the matter and have come to the conclusion that they are not to be so filled by election.
In 1864, at the general election the Circuit Attorneys were elected for the period of four years. In accordance with the provisions of an ordinance passed in Convention, March 17, 1865, commonly known as the Vacating Ordinance, the offices of the Circuit Attorneys were declared vacant on the first day of May thereafter, and the Governor was authorized to fill the said offices for the remainder of the term by appointment.
This ordinance is organic in its nature, and cannot be repealed, altered or impaired by mere legislative enactment, without such power was given to the Legislature by the ordinance or by some constitutional provision. We have not been able to find any clause in the Constitution conferring such power.
The office of Circuit Attorney is not a constitutional office, and is ordinarily subject to be controlled and regulated by the Legislature; but here the title to the office is vested in the appointees for a certain prescribed time by an act having the effect of constitutional, law. That title can only be divested or impaired by an ordinance of a Convention or some provision embodied in the Constitution.
St. Louis, October 16, 1866.
Dissenting Opinion
dissents.
I do not concur in the conclusion arrived at by the majority of the Judges. In my opinion, the 26th section of article Y. of the Constitution so far abrogates the vacating ordinance as to give power to the General Assembly to prescribe by law in what manner all offices, not otherwise provided for by the Constitution, shall be filled, whatever mode or appointment or selection of the officers may be adopted and so prescribed.
N. Holmes.