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.