The county auditor is by law clerk to the board of county commissioners, and keeps a record of their proceedings. He is required to keep an account current with the treasurer. Certain claims against the county, after having been allowed by the commissioners are paid upon the auditor's warrant. It is his duty to furnish assessors with the list of lands within his county subject to taxation, and when an alteration of the lists of lands becomes necessary, in order to indicate to whom the tax thereon shall be charged, it is his duty to make the proper transfer. The duties of the auditor will be further considered when treating of the levy and collection of taxes.

It is the duty of the county treasurer to collect and receive the moneys required to be raised in his county to defray the expenses of the State, county and township governments, and to pay the same out in the manner prescribed by law.

The county recorder provides, at the expense of the county, suitable blank books, which he keeps in his office, at the county-seat, and in which he copies or records all the deeds mortgages, and other papers which by law it is proper to record in his office, that may be presented to him.

The object of recording these documents is that they may be preserved, and to give notice to all persons interested, of their existence.

In order to determine the location and boundary lines. of lands, provisjon has been made by law for the election of a county surveyor, who, when applied to by any party in interest, or when ordered by the court, is required to make and execute surveys within his county. He is required to keep a record of all official surveys.

It is the duty of the prosecuting attorney to prosecute for and in behalf of the State all complaints, suits and controversies in which the State is a party, within his county, in the district court, in the court of common pleas, and in the probate court.

For the purpose of preventing the adulteration of certain articles of commerce, and to secure honesty and fair dealing in relation to the quality and quantity thereof, the court of common pleas is authorized to appoint in each county one gauger and inspector of domestic and foreign spirits, linseed oil, lard oil and coal oil; one inspector of flour, meal and buckwheat; one inspector of beef, pork, lard and butter; one inspector of pot and pearl ashes. Inspectors of provisions and other merchandise are required to examine and inspect the provisions and merchandise of those who keep and offer them for sale, and to affix a brand or mark to such articles, so that purchasers may be advised as to what they purchase.

The law provides for the appointment of fish inspectors in the counties bordering on Lake Erie. In 1834 an act was passed by the General Assembly providing for the election of inspectors of merchandise in the county of Montgomery, by the people. In 1867 an act was passed providing that on the application of five or more citizens of any county in this State where mineral oils are refined, produced or sold for illuminating purposes, the court of common pleas shall appoint inspectors thereof.

Appropriate penalties are provided for the punishment of those who violate inspection laws.

The duties of school examiners will be considered in another chapter.

Questions-What is said of the general powers and duties of county commissioners? Specify some of them. What is said of the duties and powers of the clerk of the court of common pleas? Of the sheriff? Coroner? County auditor? County treasurer? County recorder? County surveyor? Prosecuting attorney? Of the appointment and duties of inspectors and gaugers?

CHAPTER XXXVII.

OF TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-TRUSTEES-CLERKTREASURER-ASSESSORS CONSTABLES

ROADS.

SUPERVISORS OF

Each organized township has a government of its own, and its people elect officers to administer such government to discharge certain duties for the good of the people.

No new township can be organized with less than twenty-two square miles of territory, unless it includes a city or an incorporated village.

All townships are capable of suing or being sued in any court of this State, and may acquire by devise, bequest or deed of gift, and hold property for the benefit of the township.

The law provides for the holding of annual meetings in each township, on the first Monday of April in each year, at which time the following officers are elected: Three trustees, a justice or justices of the peace, a township clerk, a treasurer, an assessor, as many constables as

have been determined upon by the trustees, a supervisor of roads for each road district, and a supervisor of ditches. Their term of office continues for one year, except justices of the peace, who hold their offices for three years.

Among the duties required of trustees may be mentioned the following: To act as election boards; to bind out and protect apprentices; to levy taxes for township purposes in certain cases; to establish and protect cemeteries; to locate and establish ditches; to settle disputes in relation to division fences; to select jurors and return a list of the same to the clerk of the court of common pleas; to furnish relief to poor persons and paupers; to open, vacate, establish and alter roads.

The number of justices of the peace for each township is determined by the court of common pleas. This number, however, may be increased or diminished by an order of the probate court, when circumstances seem to require it. The duties of justices will be considered when treating of the judiciary.

The township clerk keeps a record of the proceedings of the trustees; of the accounts allowed and adjusted by them; furnishes certificates of the election of township officers, and keeps an account of the receipts and expenditures of the township, and of the board of education.

It is the duty of the township treasurer to receive and take charge of all moneys which by law are to be paid into the township treasury,

The assessors are required to make and return to the county auditors, lists and valuations of all the taxable property in their respective townships, wards and assess

ment districts; also statements of the number of sheep killed and injured by dogs. They are required to take and return to the county auditors an enumeration of all deaf and dumb, blind, insane and idiotic persons in their township, ward or district, every four years. They are also required, every fourth year, to take an enumeration of all the male inhabitants above the age of twenty-one years, residing within their jurisdiction, and return the same to the clerk of the court of common pleas.

The number of constables to be elected in each township is determined by the trustees.

Constables are ministerial officers of justices of the peace. A ministerial officer is one who acts under the authority of a superior, and does what his superior orders him to do. They are required to post up warrants for elections, serve copies of election lists, to make complaint against persons violating the gambling act, to arrest, on view or warrant, and bring to justice all felons and disturbers and violaters of the criminal laws of this State, and to suppress all riots, affrays and unlawful assemblies. In discharging their duties constables may call to their aid the power of the county, or such assistance as may be necessary.

It is the duty of supervisors of roads to open, or cause to be opened, the public roads in their respective districts, (except such as are by law exempt from their care), and to superintend the work thereon as required by law, to keep the same in repair.

The supervisors have no jurisdiction, for the purposes of opening or repair, over roads in cities and villages, nor over township roads, except such as are thirty feet wide and