CHAPTER XXI.

OF COUNTY OFFICERS, CONTINUED CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS-SUPERINTENDENTS OF COUNTY POOR-NOTA

RIES PUBLIC-INSPECTORS

MERCHANDISE.

OF PROVISIONS AND OTHER

Circuit Court Commissioners are authorized to do many acts which, were it not for their assistance, the Judges would be required to do. It is frequently necessary, when the Courts are not in session, that orders should be made and duties performed affecting the interests of parties whose rights are to be determined by the Courts. These duties may be discharged by Circuit Court Commissioners. Testimony to be used before the Court in Chancery may be taken by a Circuit Court Commissioner; and he may perform many other duties prescribed by law.

It is the duty of the Superintendents of the County Poor to take charge of and provide for the wants of those who are unable to support themselves, and have no relatives able to support them. They have the control of the poor-houses erected by the county, for the use of the poor.

Notaries Public are appointed by the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate. They are authorized to take the proof and acknowledgment of deeds; to administer oaths; to take affidavits; to demand acceptance of bills of exchange and of promissory notes, and to protest the same for non-accaptance or non-payment.

Inspectors of provisions and other merchandise are required to examine and inspect the provisions and merchandise of those who keep and offer the same for sale, and to affix a

brand or mark to such articles, indicating their quality, so that purchasers may be advised as to what they purchase. Thus, beef is divided into three sorts, "mess," "prime" and "cargo;" and pork into four sorts, "mess pork," "prime pork," "one-hog pork" and "cargo pork."

When provisions or merchandise have been inspected and branded, it is deemed an offense to sell or offer for sale, under such brands, articles different from what such brands indicate.

Questions-What are the duties of Circuit Court Commissioners ? Of the Superintendents of the County Poor? How are Notaries Public appointed, and what are their duties? What are the duties of Inspectors of provisions and other merchandise? Into how many grades is corned beef sorted? Into how many grades is pork sorted?

CHAPTER XXII.

OF TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-SUPERVISOR, TOWNSHIP CLERK-TOWNSHIP BOARD-TOWNSHIP TREASURER—

CONSTABLES.

Each organized township, has a government of its own, and its people elect officers to administer such governmentto discharge certain duties for the good of all the people.

The voters of a township may meet together and make such orders and by-laws for directing and managing the affairs of the township, as they shall deem most conducive to the peace, welfare and good order of the people.

They may annex to such orders and by-laws suitable penalties, not exceeding ten dollars for any breach thereof.

The law provides for the holding of annual meetings in each township, on the first Monday in April in each year, at which there is elected the following officers: One Supervisor; one Towship Clerk; one Treasurer, one School Inspector; two Assessors, if the qualified electors present at the opening of the meeting shall so determine by vote; one Commissioner of Highways; so many Justices of the Peace as there are by law to be elected in the township, and so many Constables as shall be ordered by the meeting, not exceeding four in number, and one Overseer of highways for each road district, and as many Pound Masters as the meeting shall direct.

Justices of the Peace hold their terms of office for four years, Highway Commissioners for three years, and School Inspectors for two years. The other officers hold their offices for one year.

The elections at township meetings are held in substantially the same manner as general elections.

The Supervisor is required by law to prosecute for all penalties and forfeitures incurred within his township, and for which no other officer is specially directed to prosecute. He is the Assessor of his township.

The Township Clerk keeps the records and papers of the township, when no other provision is made by law; he keeps the accounts of the Township with the treasurer and with each of the several funds belonging to the township; the minutes of the proceedings of the Township Board, and performs many other duties.

The Supervisor, the two Justices of the Peace whose term of office will soonest expire, and the Township Clerk, constitute the Township Board. It is the duty of this Board to settle all claims against the township.

It is the duty of the Township Treasurer to receive and take charge of all moneys which by law are to be paid into the township treasury.

Constables are ministerial officers of Justices of the Peace. A ministerial officer is one who acts under the authority of a superior, and does what his superior orders him to do.

Constables are also required to serve all warrants, notices and processes lawfully directed to them by the Township Board, or the Township Clerk, or any other officer.

Questions-What is said of townships? At what time is the annual township meeting held? What officers are chosen at the annual meeting? For how long a time do the officers hold their offices? How are the elecions held? What are some of the duties of the Supervisor? Of the Township Clerk? What officers constitute the township board? What are the duties of the Township Treasurer? Of Constables?

CHAPTER XXIII.

OF TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, CONTINUED

COMMISSIONERS OF HIGH

WAYS-OVERSEERS OF HIGHWAYS-SCHOOL INSPECTORS-
POUND-MASTERS.

Commissioners of Highways have a general supervision and control of all the highways and bridges in their respective townships. They are required to divide their townships into road districts, and to assign to each of the districts such of the inhabitants, liable to work on the highways, as shall reside in such district, or own lands therein; to require the Overseers of Highways to have all persons assessed to work on the highways, perform their labor thereon with such teams, carriages, sleds, or implements as said Commissioners, or any of them, shall direct. It is also their duty to lay out and establish all necessary roads, and to discontinue such old roads as have become unnecessary.

Overseers of Highways are required to repair and keep in order the highways within their districts; to direct persons assessed to work on the highways to come and work; to cause the noxious weeds within the highways to be destroyed, and to execute the order of the Commissioners.

It is the duty of the School Inspectors to divide the township into school districts; they are to receive from the treasurer of the township, the money appropriated for the township library, and to procure books for the library. They are also to act in conjunction with Inspectors of adjoining townships in the organization of school districts, lying partly in each of said townships.

When domestic animals run at large, contrary to law, they