charge of the State Public School at Coldwater; the Board of Education, to have charge of the State Normal School; the Board of Equalization, to see that the money or tax to be raised for State purposes is fairly and equitably levied throughout the State; the Board of Regents, who are elected by the people, and who have charge of the State University; the Board of State Auditors, whose duty it is to examine and adjust claims against the State; the Board of Escheats, to take charge of the property, for the State, of those who die without a will and without heirs; the State Military Board, to audit claims of a military character; the Boards having the control of our Asylums.

Among the many Commissioners employed to discharge public duties in this State, we may mention, Commissioners to make settlement, on the division of counties; to examine securities of insurance companies, and to see that they comply with the provisions of law; to procure information and statistics relative to the scientific treatment and cure of the victims of intemperance; to see that railroad companies comply with the laws, rules and regulations established for their management.

For the benefit of those who desire a more particular statement, concerning the various State Boards aud their duties, a note is appended to this chapter.

Questions-What is meant by the word Board, as used in this lesson ? For what purpose are Boards established? Who generally constitute the State Boards? Mention some of the State Boards, and their duties. Mention some of the Commissioners and their duties.

NOTE A. The State Board of Agriculture consists of six members, besides the Governor of the State, and the President of the State Agricultural College, who are by virtue of their office, members of the Board. The members of this Board are appointed by the Governor. They meet quarterly at the State Agricultural College at Lansing; they have the general control of the Agricultural College, the farm pertaining thereto, and of the lands belonging to the College, and of all appropriations made therefor. The Secretary of the Board is paid a

salary of one thousand dollars per annum. He is required to keep a record of the transactions of the Board; to encourage such domestic industry and house hold arts as are calculated to promote the general thrift, wealth and resources of the State; the formation of agricultural societies, the importation of improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and other animals, and to procure and distribute seeds, plants, trees and shrubbery.

The Secretary of State, the State Treasurer and Commissioner of the State Land Office, constitute a Board of State Canvassers. It is the duty of this Board to examine the statements received by the Se retary of State, of the votes given in the several counties, and make a statement of the votes given for the State offices, Representatives in Congress, Presidential Electors and the votes given for constitutional amendments, and in relation to banking laws.

The Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor General, State Treasurer, Attorney General and Commissioner of the State Land Office, constitute a Board of Control for the reclamation of swamp lands by means of State roads and ditches. The Legislature having made provision for the drainage of certain swamp lands belonging to the State, by the construction of roads with proper ditches and drains, at the expense of the State, the Board of Control was organized to direct and control such work.

Board of Control for the Reform School.-A House of Correction, known as the Reform School, for the correction of offenders under sixteen years of age, is located at Lansing. This institution is under the control and supervision of a Board consisting of three persons appointed by the Governor.

About twenty years ago, (1854-5) a ship canal was constructed at Sault Ste. Mary's, to facilitate the passage of vessels going to and returning from Lake Superior. This canal is under State control, and a Board, consisting of the Governor, State Treasurer and AuditorGeneral, has been created by law, to have charge of this public improvement. The Governor appoints a Superintendent who has the immediate charge of the canal, and who collects tolls from vessels passing through it.

On the third day of June, 1856, Congress granted to this State a large quantity of lands for railroad purposes. A Board to manage and dispose of all lands appropriated for the construction of railroads, and to do any and all other acts necessary and proper respecting the construction of said railroads, which may be prescribed by law, consisting of the Governo and six Commissioners appointed by him, has been provided for.

In 1871, the Legislature provided for the estabishment of a School for dependent and neglected children. This school has been established at Coldwater, and is under the management of a Board, consisting of three persons appointed by the Governor, called a Board of Control of the State Public School.

A State Normal School has been established at Ypsilanti, for the instruction of persons both male and female, in the art of teaching. Also to give instruction in the mechanical arts, and in the arts of husbandry and agricultural chemistry; in the fundamental laws of the United States, and with regard to the rights and duties of citizens. This school is under the control of a Board of Education, consisting of three persons, elected by the people, in addition to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who is a member and Secretary of the Board.

State Board of Equalization.-For the purpose of raising money to support the Government, a levy is made upon all the property of the State, and a certain per cent. of its value is

required to be paid. For this purpose the lands and personal property of all the people are appraised, and this appraisal is certified to, and sent to the Auditor General by the clerks of the different counties. In order that the money or tax to be raised for the State may be levied upon all the property of the State fairly and equitably, a Board of Equalization has been established, consisting of the Lieutenant-Governor, Auditor General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Commissioner of the Land Office. It is the duty of this Board to examine the statements sent to them, from the different counties, and to determine whether the relative valuation between the several counties is equal and uniform, according to location, soil, improvements, productions and manufactures, and whether the personal estates have been uniformly estimated. If they are found to be relatively unequal, they equalize them by adding to or deductiug from the aggregate valuation of taxable real and personal estate in such county or counties, such percentage as will produce relative equal and uniform valuations between the several counties in the State.

The State Treasurer, Auditor General, and Secretary of State, constitute the Board of Fund Commissioners. The statute creating this Board, makes it their duty, when there is more money in the treasury than is necessary to pay the current expenses of the State, and the interest on its indebtedness, to pay a portion of the principal indebtedness. A more recent statute, however, confers power upon the Treasurer to make payment upon the indebted ness of the State, whenever he shall have a surplus of money.

The Governor, Superintendent of Public Instruction and the President of the State Board of Education, constitute a Board of Geological Survey. They have control of the geological survey of the State, and for that purpose, may, from time to time, appoint such person or persons to assist in making such survey as may be deemed necessary.

For the management and control of the State University, eight Regents are elected by the people, who have power to enact ordinances, by-laws, and regulations for the government of the University; to elect a president, to fix, increase and reduce the regular number of professors and tutors, and to appoint the same, and to determine the amount of their salaries, and to do such other business as may be necessary for the management and control of the University.

The Board of Commissioners for the general supervision of penal, pauper and reformatory institutions, consists of three members appointed by the Governor. It is their duty to visit the city and county poorhouses, county jails, Reform School, State Prison, Detroit House of Correction, State and County Asylums for the insane, and the deaf, dumb and blind, to ascertain the condition of such institutions, and how they are conducted and managed. They are to report to the Governor the result of their investigations. They are also to report to the Governor such changes in the penal and criminal laws and the laws concerning these institutions, as they think are proper. The Governor may appoint one or more females to visit the institutions above referred to, and investigate the treatment and provision made for women and children.

The Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Commissioner of the State Land Office, constitute the Board of State Auditors. It is their duty to examine and adjust all claims against the State, not otherwise provided for by general law.

The Board of State Swamp Land Road Commissioners consists of two members, appointed by the Governor. These Commissioners superintend the letting of all contracts upon State swamp land roads, or reject contracts made by the local commissioners. They are to inspec

the work of contractors on the swamp roads, to examine into all trespasses on swamp lands of the State, and to prosecute therefor aud collect damages for such trespasses. The Board of Commissioners are to report to the Board of Control, and in some respects are subordinate to

them.

Whenever any person dies without having made a will, and without any legal heirs, the property of such person is escheated to the State. Escheat means a thing fallen to. Thus, when there is no relative to take the property of one who dies, his property falls to the State, or is escheated to the State. The Auditor General, State Treasurer and Secretary of State, con@titute a Board of Trustees to take charge and dispose of, for the State, all such property.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction appoints, every two years, two persons as a Board of Visitors whose duty it is to make personal examination into the state and condition of the University in all its departments and branches, at least once in each year, and to report the result to the Superintendent, suggesting such improvements as they may deem im. portant.

The Board of Education appoint a similar Board, consisting of three persons, to examine into the affairs of the Normal School, and to report to the Superintendent.

A ship canal has been constructed across Keweenaw Point, in the Upper Peninsula, from Portage Lake to Lake Superior, known as the Portage Lake and Lako Superior Ship Canali and by law, the Governor, Auditor General, and State Treasurer, are constituted a Board of Control to establish and regulate tolls on the canal, and to make suitable rules and regulations regarding the care and improvement of the same, and to appoint a Superintendent to have charge of it.

The Board of Fish Commissioners consists of two persons appointed by the Governor. It is the duty of the Board to supervise generally the fishing interests, and secure the enforcement of all laws relating to the protection of fish and fisheries in the State. They are to establish a State fish-breeding establishment, for the artificial propagation and cultivation of fish; and to appoint a Superintendent to take charge of the raising of fish at the fishery.

The State Military Board consists of the Inspector General and two persons appointed by the Governor, who hold their office for two years. This board is an advisory body to the Commander-in-Chief. It is their duty to audit all claims of a military character against the State, and to make rules and regulations for the government of the State troops.

The Board of Trustees of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane, and also the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind, consists of three persons each appointed by the Governor. These institutions and the property thereof, are under the con trol of these Trustees.

CHAPTER XVIII.

OF COUNTIES AND COUNTY OFFICERS.

As it would be impossible for the State officers whose duties we have considered, to transact all the public business necessary for the people, the State has been subdivided into smaller portions of territory, each of which has a government, not inconsistent with that of the State. Of these subdivisions, the largest, for the purposes of government, are counties. The counties usually embrace about sixteen townships each.

Most of the county officers are elected by the people, and consist of a Probate Judge, Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Prosecuting Attorney, County Surveyor, two Coroners, Superintendent of Schools, and Circuit Court Commissioners. In some of the larger counties, two Circuit Court Commissioners are elected. Three Superintendents of the Poor are elected by the Board of Supervisors. There may be elected in each county, inspectors of beef and pork, butter and lard, fish, flour and meal, leather, and pot and pearl ashes.

A Board of Supervisors is established in each county, consisting of one member from each township, and where there are cities within the county, such cities are entitled to as many Supervisors as may be prescribed by the Legislature.

The Probate Judge and Inspectors hold their offices for four years; Superintendent of the poor, for three years, and other county officers, for two years. Supervisors, who are properly township officers, hold their office for one year. In the county of Wayne there is a Board of Auditors, consisting of three persons, who hold their office for three years.

Each county has a county seat; that is, a place where the