Resignation

Of an office: the act of igiving it up; surrender, relinquishment, renunciation. Need not be in writing, unless required by statute; and may be either express or implied. The question is one of intention. Non-user may indicate absolute relinquishment. ^ At common law, an office was regarded as a burden which the appointee was bound, in the interest of the community and of good government, to bear. From this it followed that after an office was assumed It could not be laid down without the consent of the appointing power. This was required that public interests might suffer no inconvenience for the want of servants to execute the laws. Acceptance may be manifested either Ijy a formal declaration or by the appointment of a successor. In this country, a contrary doctrine may have obtained; but it will be assumed that the common-law rule prevails unless the contrary is shown.* See Office, 1.