The court shall designate one of its justices to be chief justice of the court for such term as the court may determine by order made and entered of record. In the absence of the chief justice, any other justice designated by the justices present shall act as chief justice. Any reference in the Constitution of this state, in this code or elsewhere in law to the president of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals shall henceforth be construed to mean the chief justice of such court.