Civil Government for Common Schools | Page 3

One supervisor, elected for one year.
II. One town clerk, elected for one year.
III. Four justices of the peace, elected for four years.
IV. Three assessors, elected for three years.
V. One or three highway commissioners, as the electors may determine; if one be elected, the term is one year; if three, the term is three years.
VI. One or two overseers of the poor, as the electors may determine; term one year.
VII. One collector, elected for one year.
VIII. Constables, not to exceed five; term one year.
IX. One game constable; term one year.
X. Three town-auditors; term one year.
XI. Three excise commissioners; term three years.
XII. Three inspectors of election; term one year; and in some villages and cities a sealer of weights and measures.
Q. What are some of their duties?
I. SUPERVISORS.
I. To receive the school money belonging to the town, and pay it out by order of the trustees.
II. To receive other money belonging to the town, and disburse the same according to law.
III. To meet with the other supervisors of the county as a "board of county canvassers."
IV. To meet with the other supervisors of the county as a "board of supervisors"; to audit all lawful accounts against the county, make out the tax lists and cause them to be collected; and perform such other acts of legislation as the constitution and statute laws have conferred upon them.
II. TOWN CLERK.
I. To keep the records of the town.
II. To keep in his custody such books and papers as belong to the town.
III. To act as clerk of the town meetings,
IV. To file such papers as properly belong to his office; and to perform the general clerical duties for the town.
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. ASSESSORS.
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 circumstances.
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 pass upon the same.
XI. EXCISE COMMISSIONERS.
To meet and act upon petitions 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 canvassers."
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 entitled to extras for copying assessment 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