§ 51-1. Beginning of term - Time of qualifying.

Except when otherwise specially provided, the regular term of all officers elected under the laws of the state, when elected to a full term, shall commence on the second Monday of January next succeeding their election, and any officer so elected shall qualify and enter upon the duties of his office on said date or within ten (10) days thereafter; but if the office to which any person is elected be vacant at the time of his election or becomes vacant before his time for qualifying, even if he were not elected to fill the vacancy, he shall forthwith qualify and enter upon the duties of his office.

R.L. 1910, § 4269.