careful attention to sanitation. Every citizen ought to cooperate loyally with the board of health and with every other agency in the fight against disease. Protection of Persons and Property. Each township elects two justices of the peace and may elect two constables to preserve the peace, and protect the rights of person and property within its boundaries. Justices of the peace may try those accused of minor offenses, and civil cases in which the amount involved does not exceed $100. The constables are the messengers of the justice of the peace, and may be called upon to serve warrants issued by him and to summon witnesses. Court proceedings are described in Part II, Chapter V, Judicial Department. Clerk. The township clerk is secretary of the board of trustees, and it is his duty to keep an accurate record of the business done at all meetings of the board of trustees. He acts as one of the clerks of election, has charge of the property of the township under the direction of the trustees and receives the resignation of township officers. He is empowered to administer the oath of office to township officers. As clerk of election, it is his duty, immediately after the election of officers in his township, to send a written notice thereof to the county auditor, stating the names of the persons and the offices to which they were elected. Election Boards. Election boards are composed of three judges and two clerks, and the law provides that a division of the members shall be so made that at least two political parties shall be represented on the board. Assessor. The township assessor is required to make a list of all the property of the township, both personal and real, and to assess its value for the purpose of taxation. Assessor's duties are explained in Chapter VI, Taxation. Duties of Officers. Most of the duties of the township officers have been discussed as they actually occur in the activities of the civil township government. A summary of their principal duties is given below for the convenience of the student. Trustees: 1. Levy taxes for township purposes and equalize valuations. 2. Act as judges of, and determine place of holding elections. 3. Care for township roads, and other public property. 4. Supervise construction of fences, and assess damages in case of trespass by animals. 5. Appoint superintendent of roads, and superintendent of dragging, and fill vacancies in township offices. 6. Act as board of health. 7. Certify to county auditor list of persons eligible for jury service. Clerk: 1. Attends meetings of trustees and keeps a record of their proceedings as boards of trustees, health, election, etc. 2. Makes a list of men who are to pay or work a road poll tax. 3. Is one of the clerks of election. 4. Acts as treasurer for the township. 5. Administers the oath of office to township officers. Assessor: 1. Estimates the value of all taxable property in the township. 2. Makes list of men between the ages of 18 and 45 who are subject to military duty. 3. Takes the census, that is, makes a list of all the inhabitants of the township in years ending in five. 4. Makes list of voters, and gives copy of same to the clerk. Constable: 1. Keeps the peace and quells disturbances. 2. Acts as executive officer of justice of the peace courts. 3. Makes arrests as police officer in any part of the county. 4. Serves warrants, notices and all other legal papers if ordered by trustees, clerk, justices of the peace or county court. Justices of the Peace: 1. May perform marriage ceremonies. 2. Hold court for minor civil and criminal cases. 3. Hold preliminary trials in more serious cases, and bind accused persons over to await the action of the grand jury. 4. May acknowledge deeds and mortgages. 5. May hold inquests over bodies of persons who are supposed to have met death by unlawful means. QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS 1. Name the civil townships in your county. 2. Explain the difference between the congressional and the civil township. 3. What questions do you think an assessor asks when performing his duties? How are people required to assist the assessor? 4. Is the civil township a good example of a pure democracy? 5. What is the purpose of "reviewing values"? Explain just what you would do if you thought your property were assessed too high. 6. What is meant by general election? When is it held? Who specify the voting places in townships? Trace each step showing just how a township election is conducted. 7. What provisions are made for public charity in the township? What classes of people are especially provided for? Why? 8. In what ways is public health safeguarded? How may citizens cooperate in the interests of health? 9. What might be done by the trustees to make a township a more attractive place in which to live? 10. What can be done by rural clubs of various kinds to improve rural social conditions? 11. Of what value are boys' and girls' clubs? What training would come from organizing such clubs and adopting constitutions for their government? 12. Are there good roads in your township? What can be done to improve them? 13. What are the advantages of living in the country? What are the disadvantages? May these be overcome? 14. Secure as much information as possible concerning the "Country Life Movement," and discuss it in class or write an essay on the subject for your composition class. 15. In what phases of rural life is there need for more cooperation? In what phases has voluntary cooperation already brought improvement? 16. What changes in rural life have been brought about by each of the following: telephones, free mail delivery, machinery, steam and electric railroads? Have they increased the intelligence of the farmer? Have they brought him into closer contact with other people and made him more like them? |