ship is so complete, and its local government is so independent, that it has been said that if the National and State governments were destroyed, and all their officers removed, all local affairs would go on much as usual, and the people would scarcely experience a loss. In the Southern States the county system prevails; and the township, as a unit of government, is scarcely known. The Western States have very generally adopted what is known as the compromise system, in which the townships are granted very many rights and privileges, but are, in a measure, subordinate to the county. In this State, nearly all local government is entrusted to cities, townships (under the compromise plan), and school dis

tricts.

16. Organization.-Each county, when organized, is divided by the County Commissioners into suitable and convenient townships; and the Commissioners have power to organize new townships, on proper petition from the citizens of such townships, and after due notice of their proposed action. Each township thus organized becomes a body corporate,* or legal person; and, as such, may appear under its own proper name in suits to which it is a party, and may make all contracts that are necessary and convenient for the exercise of its corporate powers.

17. Elections.-The annual township election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, in each year. Unless divided by law, each township constitutes an election district, with one polling-place, or place where votes may be cast. The township Trustee

*Counties, townships, cities, villages, districts, are called public, or municipal, corporations.

cast.

and two justices of the peace are judges of the election, and have general charge of the proceedings; though, if they are absent at eight o'clock, the citizens present may choose judges from their own number. Two clerks may be appointed by the judges to assist in receiving the votes and in making the returns; that is, in certifying as to the number of votes cast, and for whom they were On the morning of election day, the Trustee carries the ballot-box and a copy of the Compiled Laws to the polling place. At eight o'clock the polls are declared to be open; that is, the judges will then begin to receive votes. Every male person possessing the qualifications prescribed by the State Constitution is entitled to vote. Each elector, as a voter is sometimes called, hands one of the judges of election, in full view, a single ballot, or piece of paper on which are written or printed the names of the persons voted for, and the proper designation of the offices they are intended to fill. The judge, receiving the ballot, calls the name of the voter; and, if no objection is made, puts the ballot at once, without looking at the names on it, into the ballot-box. An objection to a vote is called challenge; and when this occurs, the voter must satisfy the judges of election, in manner prescribed by the statute, that he is entitled to vote. As the ballot is deposited, one of the clerks of the election writes the voter's name in what is called a poll-book. At six o'clock the polls are declared to be closed, and after that there can be no voting. The total number of votes cast is certified under the last name on the poll-books, and the books are signed by the judges and clerks. The ballotbox is then opened, and one judge takes out the ballots, one by one, and reads aloud the names and offices printed on each. As each is read, it is delivered to the second

judge, who examines it and passes it to the third judge, who strings it on a stout thread to preserve it. As the names and offices are read, the clerks make the necessary entries on blanks prepared for that purpose. If there seems to be proof of fraud in the casting of any ballots, the judges may reject them. After the votes are canvassed, i. e., all read and entered in the manner just stated, one poll-book and the votes are sealed up and sent to the County Clerk; fraudulent and defective ballots being also sent in a separate package.*

18. Officers.-At each annual election the following township officers are chosen: a Trustee, a Clerk, a Treasurer, a Road Overseer for each Road District in the township, and as many Constables as there are Justices of the Peace. At each alternate annual election there are chosen, in addition to the officers already named, the Justices of the Peace to which the township is entitled-not less than two. These Justices hold office for two years; all other township officers for one year. All officers take the usual oath of office before entering upon their duties; and the Treasurer, the Road Overseers, the Justices, and the Constables give bonds.

19. The Trustee is a sort of general superintendent of township affairs. He determines the number and extent of the Road Districts, looks after the general pecuniary concerns of the township, is judge of elections, has charge of the poor, contracts for the building of

* As this is the way in which all general elections are conducted, it is thought best to give details at this point. An election held in the school-room, with the scholars as voters, following carefully these details, will be of great assistance in fixing the general methods in the memory.

*

bridges, is the township assessor for the purposes of taxation, and, with the consent of the County Commissioners, levies the tax for township, road, and other purposes. For his service as assessor, but for none other except as hereinafter specified, the law entitles him to receive pay. 20. The Clerk has charge of all records, books, and papers of the township, where no other provision is made by law. All these books and records, as well as those in the custody of any other public officer, are always open to public inspection.

21. The Treasurer receives and pays out the moneys that may lawfully pass through his hands, under the general supervision of the Trustee and on order from him; keeping true account of all this in books provided for the purpose.

22. These three officers constitute the Board of Commissioners of Highways and the Auditing Board for each township. The Trustee is chairman of this Board, and the Clerk is secretary. It meets on the second Saturday after the township election, and on the last Saturday of April, July, October, and January in each year. It has general supervision of all roads and bridges in the township; and, to make this work more efficient, it is authorized to employ a general Superintendent. The statute expressly enjoins the making of permanent roads † whereever this is practicable; which is a long step in advance in this matter.

23. The accounts of all township officers must be presented to the Auditing Board for inspection and approval.

* Such as, for payment of interest or principal of township bonds. †That is, made with gravel, or macadamized, and well drained, etc.

These officers, when serving on this Board, are entitled to pay.

whether the fences

24. The same officers are the Fence- Viewers in the township; that is, they determine answer the requirements of the law. For each day they are engaged in this work they are entitled to pay.

25. The Road Overseer must inspect all bridges in his district and see that they are safe for travel, or are closed; he must carry out proper measures to prevent the spread of prairie fires; and he has general supervision of opening and keeping in good order all roads under his care. He receives pay for his services, but not for more than fifteen days' work in each year.

26. Constables are the messengers of the Justices of the Peace. They serve all papers issued by the court, have general police power in the preservation of order, can act anywhere within the county in which they are elected, and can at any time call on citizens for help in enforcing the law. Their fees are determined by law, and vary in accordance with the service rendered.

27. Justices of the Peace are, as the name implies, peace officers and judges in minor matters, both civil and criminal. To give them the right to act, the case must arise in the county in which they are elected. In trials for the recovery of money, they cannot act if the amount sought exceeds three hundred dollars. When suit is brought for trespass, the damage claimed must

*Public highways, established under the statute. These are secured by petition to the County Commissioners, are generally located on section lines, and are not more than eighty nor less than forty feet wide, except in cattain emergencies.