Care of the Poor.-The poor of the state and all persons who are disabled or enfeebled so as to be unable to maintain themselves, are maintained and supported under two systems, the township and the county. The system under which a county shall maintain its poor is determined by the board of supervisors.

In counties where the distinction is made a person must acquire a residence in the township, that is, he must have been a resident of a township one year, before he can receive aid. If he has not such residence he shall be supported by the county. The supervisor in the township and overseers of the poor in either, have charge of the work pertaining to relief and maintenance of the poor. Under this system the support of persons committed to the county poor house is charged to the respective townships and cities and collected as other contingent expenses. Each supervisor makes a report of his work to the township board on the Tuesday next preceding the annual township meeting. The supervisor presents to the township meeting an estimate of the amount necessary to provide for the support of the poor, and the amount is voted and assessed upon the township.

Under the county system the duties of the county superintendents of the poor are greatly enlarged and are made to include the general superintendence of all the poor who may be in their county; to have charge of the county poor house and farm; to provide for the government and good order of the poor house; to employ keepers and all necessary officers; to purchase furniture implements, provisions, and materials for the maintenance of the poor and their employment and labor, and to sell and dispose of the products of such labor; to render a detailed account to the board of supervisors. Persons are taken to the poor house when it appears to the supervisor or a county superintendent that they need permanent relief or support. They may be dis

charged when it is evident that they are able to maintain themselves. Provision is made for the education of all children residing at poor houses in the institution or nearby.

Soldiers' Relief Commission. The board of supervisors are authorized by law to levy a tax not exceeding onetenth of one mill on each dollar, for the purpose of creating a fund for the relief of honorably discharged indigent union soldiers, sailors and marines, their wives, widows and minor children. The judge of probate appoints a commission of three persons, at least two of whom shall be honorably discharged union soldiers, sailors or marines for a term of three years each. The supervisor of each township and ward prepares a list of persons entitled to relief for the use of the commission which determines the amount of aid to be given. The supervisors and aldermen may draw on the fund in emergencies without consulting the commission for a sum not to exceed ten dollars, which action shall be ratified by the commission. Reasonable compensation is to be fixed and paid by the boards of supervisors to the commission.

Board of County Canvassers.—At the annual meeting of the board of supervisors in each even year there shall be elected three' electors, who, with the county clerk, who has no vote, constitute a board of county canvassers, to hold office for two years. The board convenes on the first Tuesday after the first Monday following each general election. The board elects its own chairman and fills vacancies by reason of absence or disability. The county clerk is clerk of the board. A canvass is made of all officers voted for, certified statements made and the results declared. In case any candidate wishes to contest the election, he may petition the probate judge to have the ballot boxes, or such

1In Wayne county the board consists of five members: Probate judge, county treasurer, two senior members of board of auditors, and one citizen elector chosen by the board of supervisors.

ones as he may specify, opened and the ballots recounted. The recount shall be made by a board of three persons to be selected, one by the candidate petitioning, one by the candidate opposed, and one by the judge of probate.

Suggestions and Material.

Obtain blank marriage licenses and hunting licenses. Interesting material will be found printed on them.

A study of the liquor laws and their enforcement may be made. The conditions of the county jail and poor farm may be looked up. In some counties these buildings are not all that could be desired.

Questions on the Text.

Who may obtain a marriage license?

Where are they obtained and what is the cost?

Who may marry?

Who can perform the marriage ceremony?

What is the cost of a deer license to a resident? A non

resident?

What use is made of the license fees?

What is an abstract?

Why is it desirable to get one? Is it necessary?

From whom are abstracts obtained?

Who has charge of the county jail?

What provision is made for the inspection of jails?

How much is a liquor license?

When and where are they secured?

What becomes of the license money?

What restrictions on druggists in selling liquor?

What is the local option law?

How can it be secured for a county?

What two systems of caring for the poor in Michigan?

What is the soldiers' relief commission? Who appoints? What funds have they to use?

Who is entitled to aid?

Who compose the board of county canvassers?

When do they meet and what are their duties?

Home Study Questions.

What persons are forbidden to marry?

What is a marriage certificate?

Why are hunting licenses necessary?

What are game laws?

What is meant by "open season"?

What game is protected besides deer?

In the case of a transfer of real estate, who usually secures the abstract?

What is the charge for an abstract?

What food is furnished prisoners in jails?

How much is the sheriff allowed a day for boarding prisoners?

Have we ever had prohibition in this state?

What states do have prohibition laws?

What counties have local option?

Where is your county poor farm?

7

CHAPTER XIV.

THE STATE.

Territorial Government.-Michigan was organized as a territory by act of congress, January 11, 1805. Detroit was made the seat of government and the ordinances of 1787 and 1789 were adopted as the charter of the territory. General William Hull was appointed governor.

In 1835, a dispute arose as to the boundary line between Michigan and Ohio. It was settled by fixing the line as claimed by Ohio and giving to Michigan the extensive upper peninsula.

The First Constitution.-The first constitutional convention met at Detroit, May, 1835. An election to ratify the constitution and to elect state officers, members of the legislatures, and a representative in congress, was held on the first Monday of October. The constitution was adopted. Michigan was admitted into the Union, January 27, 1837.

The Present Constitution.-A second constitutional convention was held at Lansing in June, 1850, which submitted to the people the present constitution, which was adopted and went into effect, January 1, 1851.

A constitutional convention was held in May, 1867, but the proposed constitution was rejected by a large vote. A general revision was again proposed in 1874, but this, too, failed. Many separate amendments have been adopted, but the constitution remains substantially. as adopted in 1850.

Seat of Government.-The convention of 1835 provided that the location of the capital was to remain at Detroit, where it had been during territorial times, subject to legis