Civil Government for Common Schools Part 3

III. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

I. To be the judicial officers for the town.

II. To issue warrants for the arrest of persons accused of committing crimes, and also summonses for the purpose of bringing before them persons for trial in civil actions.

III. To take acknowledgment of conveyances, administer oaths, act as inspectors at the town meeting, etc.

IV. a.s.sESSORS.

I. To make an inventory of the real estate in the town, naming the number of acres owned by each person, and fixing upon the same a valuation in proportion to its worth.

II. To make an inventory of the personal property held by the several persons in town, such as notes, mortgages, &c., which with the real estate forms the basis for taxes.

V. HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS.

I. To have the care and general supervision of the highways and bridges.

II. To lay out new roads, when directed by a jury legally called for that purpose and discontinue others when directed by the same authority.

III. To divide the town into districts, and appoint overseers for the same.

VI. OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.

To look after and provide for, either at home or in the county house, such as are in indigent circ.u.mstances.

VII. COLLECTOR.

I. To give a bond to the supervisor for double the amount to be collected, with one or more sureties for the faithful performance of his duties.

II. To receive the tax list and warrant, and collect the tax and pay it over as directed.

VIII. CONSTABLES.

I. To serve summonses issued by the justices.

II. To arrest and bring prisoners before a justice, and to have the custody of them.

III. To collect moneys upon executions, and if necessary to sell property to satisfy the same.

IV. To see that order is preserved in the community.

V. To attend the higher courts in their official capacity when directed by the sheriff.

IX. GAME CONSTABLE.

To look after and prosecute for the violation of the game laws.

X. TOWN AUDITORS.

To examine the accounts of the town officers and pa.s.s upon the same.

XI. EXCISE COMMISSIONERS.

To meet and act upon pet.i.tions asking for the privilege of selling spirituous liquors.

XII. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION.

I. To preside at the annual election, receive the votes legally presented, and deposit them in boxes prepared for that purpose.

II. To count the ballots at the close of the election, make a true statement thereof and transmit it to the "board of canva.s.sers."

Q. How are these officers paid?

A. I. Supervisors receive three dollars per day for county services, and two dollars per day for town services, and are ent.i.tled to extras for copying a.s.sessment roll and paying out school money.

II. Town clerks are paid by the day for services; also a fee for recording and filing papers.

III. Justices, mostly paid by fees; as officers of the town meeting they are paid by the day.

IV. Collectors receive a percentage for collecting the money.

V. Constables receive a fee, a percentage, and for some services are paid by the day.

VI. Game constables receive a portion of the fine money collected by reason of their prosecutions.

VII. All the remaining officers are paid for their services by the day.

Q. What must all these officers do before entering upon their duties?

A. They must qualify; that is, take the oath of office.

Q. What is the oath of office?

A. See state const.i.tution, art. XII, sec. I.

Q. Who can administer the oath of office?

A. I. The county clerk administers the oath to the justices of the peace.

II. A justice of the peace administers the oath to all other town officers, except inspectors of election.

III. The chairman of the inspectors of election administers the oath to the other inspectors, and one of the others in turn administers it to the chairman.

Q. How many supervisors in the towns of the state?

Q. How many supervisors in the cities of the state?

Q. How many justices of the peace in the state?