Documentation of E.J. Turner's Appointment To The Position of Idaho Water Commissioner

The following text is from emails received from the Idaho State Archives (Division of the Idaho State Historical Society).  Scans of pages from the Biennial reports follow the text.

April 26, 2012

Hi Ted,
Thank you for your request of 25 April.  I am glad to inform you that I found the appointment of E. J. Turner as Water Commissioner for the State of Idaho in the 1903, 1904 Biennial Report of the Secretary of State of the State of Idaho.  His date of commission was Apr. 6, 1903, expires Apr. 6, 1909.  I checked the following years but did not see a listing for water commissioner in the 1905, 1906 Biennial Report.  In the 1907, 1908 Biennial Report listed the Water Commissioner as William Van Iorns.  I have made copies of these pages and will place them in the mail tomorrow (4/27).

I hope this information will help in your research for Edward J. Turner.  If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.

Respectfully,

Virginia Vaught
Research Assistant, Merle W. Wells Research Center, Idaho State Archives, Division of the Idaho State Historical Society, 2205 Old Penitentiary Road
Boise, Idaho 83712-8250, 208-514-2318

April 27, 1012

Hi Ted,
For clarification purposes, the Water Commissioner was appointed by the Governor, with consent of the Senate, according to House Bill No. 146, section 17.  It reads, "There shall be appointed one water commissioner for each of the water divisions by this act created, who shall be appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, and who may be removed for cause."

Section 18 - One of the said water commissioners first appointed shall be appointed to hold office for a period of six years, one shall be pointed to hold office for four years, and one for two years, or until their successors are appointed and shall have qualified; but at the expiration of the first said terms of said office, said water commissioners shall each be appointed to hold office for a period of six years, or until their successors are appointed and shall have qualified.

Section 19 - Each commissioner shall reside in the water division for which he is appointed....

Section 20 - Said water commission shall each be paid ....

Section 21 - Before entering upon the duties of his office such water commissioners shall take and subscribe an oath before some officer authorized by the laws of the State to administer oaths, to faithfully perform the duties of his office, and file with the Secretary of State said oath and his official bond in the penal sum of five thousand dollars, with not less than two sureties to be approved by the Governor of the State, and conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office.

I will have to do some checking on the U.S. Citizen requirement.

Virginia

May 1, 2012

Hi Ted,
I checked with the Idaho State Legislative Law Library.  They verified that you do need to be a US Citizen to hold office as Water Commissioner.  According to Idaho Code 42-1732 states that you have to be a qualified electors to hold office.  Idaho Code 34-104 defines a qualified elector as 18 years or older and US Citizen.

Thanks,
Virginia