and afterward report to the justice when and how his summons was served, and the circumstances attending the same.

In the summons the Justice will specify a certain place, day and hour for the trial, not less, usually, than five, nor more than fifteen days from the date of such summons, at which place and time defendant is notified to appear. A sammons is usually served at least three days before the trial is to take place.

The justice indorses on the summons the amount demanded by the plaintiff, with the costs dueqn the same, and upon the serving-of the summons the debtor may pay to the constable the demand and sts, taking his receipt for the same, which will satisfy the debt and prevent ail further costs.

The Costs.

The average costs accruing up to this point are: justice for issuing summons, 25 cents; constable for serving, 35 cents; the entire cost depending, somewhat, upon how far the constable has to travel, he being entitled, ordinarily, to five cents per mile each way for mileage.

In many cases, when served with a summons, the debtor will immediately settle the claim rather than allow a greater accumulation of costs; but should he refuse to make settlement, the constable "will return the summons indorsed somewhat as follows:

'* Served by reading the within to the defendant on the 5th day of July, 1S7& JOHN SMITH, Constable*

In suing an incorporated company, a copy of the summons must be left with the president. If he is ahsent, then with the secretary, general agent, cashier, or principal clerk, if either can be found in the county in which suit is brought. If neither can be found in the county, then by leaving a copy of the summons with any clerk, engineer, director, station agent, conductor, or any such agent found in the county.

At the time appointed for the trial, both the plaintiff and defendant, or their representatives, are required to be promptly in attendance, the plaintiff being present tor the purpose of proving his claim, and the defendant for the purpose of stating his defense, or the reasons why the claim should not be paid. Should either party fail to appear, he must toiler the penalty hereafter explained

Trial by Justice and Jury*

When the parties appear, the justice will proceed to try the case, and after hearing the allegations and proofs, will, if the claim be proved, give judgment against the defendant, including costs and such interest as the law allows. If no claim Is proved, the judgment will be against the plaintiff, who will be held responsible for costs.

Should either party demand a jury, he can have the same in all cases of trial before a justice of the peace, upon making a deposit with the justice of the jury fees. The jury shall comprise any number from six to twelve, as the parties may agree, though the number usually provided by law Is six or twelve.

Upon determining to have the case tried by jury, the justice will put Into the handsof the constable, or other authorized officer, the following

FORM OP WRIT FOR SUMMONING JURORS.

STATE OF l

County, \m'

STATE OF

County,

The People of the State of to any Constable of said Coitnty—

Greeting:

We command you to summon lawful men of vour county to

appear before me at o'clock M., who are not related to —■

plaintiff, or to defendant, to make a jurv between said parties in

a certain cause pending before me; and have then and there the names of this jury and this writ

Witness my hand this dav of , iS—.

JOHN DOE, J. P.

In the case of jury trial, the Justice will enter judgment according to the verdict of the jury.

Who are Competent as Jurors.

In most States the following requisites are necessary to make the individual competent to serve on a iurv

1. He should be a resident of the county, and not exempt from serving on jury.

2. Twenty-one years old and under sixty.

3. Of fair character, in the possession of natural faculties, frre from legal exceptions, of sound judgment, well informed, and who under stands the English language.

Who are Exempt from Serving on Juries.

In general, the following persons, according to the statutes of many States, are exempt from serving on juries, namely: the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of public accounts, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, attorney general, members of the general assembly during their term of office, judges of courts, clerks of courts, sheriffs, coroners, postmasters, mail carriers, practicing attorneys, all officers of the United States, officiating ministers of the gospel, school teachers during their terms of school, practicing physicians, con stant ferrymen, mayors of cities, policemen, and active members of the fire department.

The Result of Falling to Appear.

Should the plaintiff fail to appear within the hour appointed, the jury, or the justice, alone, being in readiness to hear the trial, and no good reason being given for his non-attendance, the suit is dismissed, unless the defendant should desire to have the case tried then or at another time.

Should the defendant fail to appear, the justice will hear the case, and if the claim is proved, he will enter Jitdgment against the defendant for the amount which is due the plaintiff, and will issue an Execution for its collection.

A "Judgment" is simply the decision of the court that a certain demand or claim shall be paid, and no particular form is required in rendering it

The Execution.

An execution is a writ which authorizes an officer, to whom it is directed, to carry into effect the decision of the court. In some States the law permits the imprisonment of a debtor if he refuses to pay the claim against him, and an execution can be issued directing the proper officer to imprison the delinquent until the claim is satisfied. It is more common, however, to issue an execution authorizing an officer to le\-y upon personal property of the debtor, and a judgment being rendered by the justice against a party, the next step usually taken is to issue an execution for the collection of the amount due.

If the plaintiff is satisfied that the debt will be lost unless execution issue immediately, he may take oath to that effect, and the justice will issue an execution authorizing an officer to make levy upon goods at once, but sale of the same usually will not take place under twentv da vs.

If no fear of losing the debt is expressed, execution will issue, generally, in about twenty days from the time judgment was rendered, and the officer usually has about seventy days to make a levy and sell the property to satisfy said execution.

FORM OF EXECUTION* AGAINST GOODS AND CHATTELS.

STATE OF 1

County, f88

The People of the State of to any Constable of said County—

Greeting: We command you, that of the goods and chattels of A. B. in vour

county, you make the sum of dollars and cents, judgment.

and dollars and cents, costs, which C. D. lately recovered

before me in a certain pica against the said A. II., and hereof make return to me within seventy days from this date.

Given under my hand this day of , 18—.

JOHN DOE, 7. P.

When the Writ of Execution against personal property is placed in his hands, it is the duty of the constable to make a levy upon and sell such personal property as he can find sufficient to satisfy the debt, which is not exempted from sale by law, giving ten days* previous notice of such sale by advertisement in writing to be posted up at three of the most public places in the vicinity where the sale is to be made, and on th« day appointed for the sale, the constable sells lo the highest

bidder the property levied upon, or as much of the same as may be necessary to pay the judgment, interest and costs.

Of course discretion must be used by the constable in selecting- property not exempted from sale, and not already attached or covered by chattel mortgage; and when covered by the latter, whether it will sell for enough to pay both claims.

Attachment of Goods.

If a creditor, his agent or attorney, has good reason to believe that there is danger of losing his claim, because the debtor is a non resident of the Suite, or conceals himself, in defiance of an officer,so that process cannot be served upon him, or has departed from the State with the intention of removing his goods from the State, or has fraudulently conveyed or assigned his effects so as to hinder or delay his creditors, or is about to do so, he can go before a justice of the peace and make affidavit setting forth the nature and amount of the indebtedness, after allowing all just credits and set-offs, for any one or more of the causes mentioned. He will also state the place of residence of defendant, if known, and file a bond with said Justice in double the amount sworn to be due, with sufficient security, payable to defendant, against whom the writ is issued, conditioned for satisfying all costs and damages awarded to such defend-, ant, for wrongfully suing out said attachment.

That being done, the justice will issue a Writ of Attachment, which authorizes the constable in whose hands it is placed to proceed at once to the residence or place of business of the debtor, or elsewhere where he may have goods and effects within the jurisdiction of the court, and immediately take possession of a sufficient amount of personal property with which to pay the claim and all costs; provided, however, if at the residence of the debtor he is allowed to enter. Should the debtor be present when the constable has got possession, he will read the writ to him, the time being specified in the same when his trial will take place. In the meantime the constable or officer will take possession of the goods by removing them or putting them in charge of some person until the day of the trial. If the goods are being removed to another county, he can, in most States, follow and take them there.

The Trial.

At the trial, if it is proven that the debtor had no intention of leaving or refusing to pay his just due, and any damage has been done by the seizure of the property, the creditor will be held responsible for such damage. If the defendant or his representative does not put in an appearance, after having been notified, the justice, at the day appointed, which is usually within a month from the time the attachment was issued, will hear the case, and if the claim be proved, will render judgment accordingly, and order a sale of the necessary amount of goods to pay the debt and all costs.

Attaching the Body.

"Where an attachment has been issued against a defendant and the constable returns no property found, and yet the plaintiff is satisfied that the defendant has property concealed, removed or assigned with intent to defraud his creditors, and that there is danger of losing his claim unless the debtor is held to bail, it is common in several States for the justice to issue a Capias for the arrest of the debtor, the form of which is as follows:

FORM OF CAPIAS.

- to any Constable of said County—

STATE OK {

County, fss*

The People of the State of-
Greeting:

You art* hereby commanded to take the body of and bring him

forthwith before me, unless special bail be entered; and if such bail be

entered, you will then command him to appear before me at , on

the day of , at o'clock —M., to answer to the complaint of A. B. for failure to pay him a certain demand not exceeding

dollars; and hereof matte due return as the law directs.

Given under my hand, this day of , iS—.

JOHN DOE, J. P.

Before issuing a capias, the justice will take from the plaintiff", or his representative, a bond with approved surety, which is substantially in the following form:

C D

STATE OF I

County, S

We hereby bind ourselves to pay all damages and costs, if any, which may be wrongfully occasioned by a capias in this case.

Dated this day of , iS—. [seal.1

[SEAL.]

Ordinarily the capias is issued only as a last resort, and when it is evident that the claim can only be collected by arresting the defendant and depriving him of his liberty, \:nlcss he give satisfactory bail.

Being provided with a warrant for the apprehension of the debtor, the defendant is arrested, if found, and brought forthwith before the justice, unless some friend or other person will guarantee that the debtor will promptly appear at the hour and piace appointed for trial. This guarantee, termed " giving bail," is in the following form, written on the back of the capias:

FORM OF SPECIAL BAIL.

I, A. B., acknowledge myself special bail for the within named C. D.

Witness my hand, this day of , iS—.

A. B.

This indorsement must be signed by one or more responsible persons whom the constable is willing to take as security, the condition being that the defendant, if judgment is rendered against him, at the time of trial will pay the same, with costs, or surrender himself, according to the terms of the capias. And in case he fails to pay, or surrender, the persons who signed the bail are held for the payment of the claim.

Who Cannot be Arrested.

By constitutional right, the following persons are privileged from arrest: Members of congress, except for treason, felony, and breach of the peace, arc not liable to arrest during their attendance upon the session of their respective houses, nor while going to or returning from the same. Electors are also privileged from arrest, except for treason, felony or breach of the peace, while in attendance upon elections, or while going to or returning from the same. In many States, also, the militia, except in the above cases, are exempt during their attendance at musters, or while going or returning. Attorneys and counselors at law, judges, clerks, sheriffs, and all other officers of the several tourts are likewise free from arrest while attending court, and while going to and returning from the same, as are also witnesses and other persons necessarily attending any courts of record on business.

Suing the Garnishee.

Another means left open for the collection of a claim in various States of the Union, is that of securing the debt by suing a third person who may be owing the defendant. In such case the plaintiff can proceed against this third person, who is called the garnishee, in the same manner as against the debtor, though a certain amount of the money owing is, in some States, exempt, and cannot be garnisheed.

Levying upon Real Estate.

When no personal property can be found with which to pay the debt, and the debtor is known to possess real estate in sufficient amount to pay the claim, then it is allowable, in certain States, for the justice to certify to the clerk of the circuit court, in the county where judgment was rendered, a transcript of the judgment, which shall be filed by the clerk; and thereupon the same will become a Hen upon the real estate of the debtor, and execution may issue from that court, and proceedings be had for the sale of the land and pavment of the debt and costs from the proceeds of the sale.

Appealing to Higher Courts.

Where an action has been brought before a justice to secure a claim, a summons has been issued, the day has been set for a hearing, a"nd judgment has been rendered by a justice or a jury, and the decision is that

the debtor must pay the claim with costs, the debtor can then appeal to the next higher legal tribunal, being the circuit, district court, court of common pleas, or other courts, which arc known by different names in different States.

Before the defendant can appeal, however, he is required to give a bond, which must be signed by one or more responsible persons, by which he guarantees, in a sum twice the amount of the claim, to pay the debt and all costs if he is beaten in the higher court.

The case is then entered upon the docket of the clerk of the higher court for trial, and if time permits will be tried at the next term of that court.

Upon trial in this court, if the defendant is beaten again, he can, by giving bond as before, in double the amount of the debt and costs then accrued, carry the case for trial up to the Supreme Court of the State, where the matter generally ends.

How Soon the Debt may be Collected.

Thus it will be seen where, in each trial, the defendant promptly defends his case and appeals to the higher courts when he finds himself beaten, he can escape the payment of the original debt for one, two or more years. As each appeal is attended with heavy costs, however, few men care to punish themselves so much for the sake of wreaking revenge upon anybody else. In most cases the debtor will pay the debt in the earlier part of the prosecution, unless he thinks he has good reason for not doing so.

What does Law Cost?

What will it cost to collect the debt? That question naturally arises, and is, very properly, one that should be considered. Of course it is impossible to determine, definitely, what the costs will be. If a lawyer be employed for an ordinary justice suit, occupying the time but an hour or so, his fee will be five dollars. Should the claim be of considerable amount, and the time of the attorney be employed a day or two, the lawyer's charge will be from ten to twenty dollars. Should the plaintiff come off victorious, and obtain judgment against the debtor, the other costs will be mainly borne by the debtor. Should it be shown that the plaintiff has no just claim, the justice, or jury, if there be a jury, will decide that there was no cause of action, and will assess the costs of suit to the plaintiff.

The costs of an ordinary justice suit in most States, will average about as follows:

Docketing the suit, 25 cents; issuing summons, 25 cents; constable for serving summons, 35 cents; each mile traveled in serving summons by constable, 5 cents; justice fee for entering up Judgment, 25 cents; for discharge of docket, 25 cents; fee of justice for hearing statement of each party and giving decision, $2.

The above are the inevitable costs which will be incurred if the plaintiff and defendant have a trial without witnesses, lawyers or jury, and then settle according to the decision of the justice.

If witnesses are called, the expense is 50 cents per day for each witness, to be claimed at time of trial. Fee of justice for issuing each subpoena for witness, 25 cents; constable for serving each subpetna, 25

cents; for mileage each way in serving a sub par na, 5 cents; for administering oath to each witness, 5 cents.

Should the suit he tried by a jury, each juryman is entitled, before a justice, to 50cents for hearing the case, should the jury agree; for entering verdict of the jury, 15 cents; fee of constable for waiting on jury, 50 cents; for entering satisfaction of judgment, 10 cents.

Should judgment be obtained against the debtor, and he refuse to settle, the justice will issue an execution to levy upon and sell a sufficient quantity of debtor's goods to pay the debt and all costs. Fee for execution, 50 cents; fee of constable for serving and returning execution, 50 cents; for advertising property for sale, 50 cents; commissions on sales, not exceeding ten dollars, 10 per cent.; for all in excess of that amount, 5 per cent.; except, when through settlement or other cause the property is not sold, in that case the commissions will be one half the above amount.

The defendant, thinking that equity may not be had before a certain justice, may have the case tried before the nearest justice; this procedure is termed a " Change of Venue." Fee of justice for transcript in change of venue, 50 cents.

Should either party desire to appeal to a higher court, the expenses of appeal before the justice will be: For bond, 35 cents; for entering appeal, 25 cents; for transcript of judgment and proceedings in case of appeal, 50 cents.

In the higher court the cost of trial will usually average from twenty to fitly dollars.

Collecting Large Amounts.

When the amount to be collected exceeds the jurisdiction of the justice, the plaintiff will apply to the clerk of such higher court as has jurisdiction in the case. This is the circuit court, district court, court of common pleas, or other court of similar character. The clerk of this court, upon application, will issue a summons, which is placed in the hands of a sheriff or his deputy, is served upon the debtor as before, and the case is tried usually before a jury of twelve persons at the next term of that court.

The proceedings in this court are usually so intricate as to make it advisable for the person unaccustomed to legal technicalities to employ an attorney to conduct the case, as is also generally most convenient even in the lower courts.

The Law of Different States.

We have given thus, in outline, the principal methods resorted to in the different States for the collection of debt The forms here shown, while not conforming fully to the exact methods pursued in different States, are yet sufficiently accurate to enable the reader to possess a general understanding of the methods of procedure.

The special law of the State where the creditor may reside, as it relates to the collection of debt, can be learned by application to the justice of the peace in that State, who, upon the plaintiff stating the circumstances, will usually give the necessary information with which legal proceedings may be commenced.

,'SINESS firms and Individuals having a largo trade, where indebtedness is unavoidably incurred for a long- or short time, frequently find it necessary to cmploy collectors whose special and entire duty it is lo promptly collect such indebtedness or see that the same is paid when {§§%* due. Oftentimes their work of collecvi3% P| T/ \ *>7\ *".,*) 'ion will he in portions of the country hundreds or thousands of miles fron place of business or residence of the G creditor. It is usual under these circumstances lo invest such an agent, thus doing business, with what is termed "Power of Attorney," which is done by a written instrument usually under seal. **S^ f'ljl^ The person or persons so authorized are called atlorf£±1 i'i_ neys, and the person or persons so apiwinting are termed constituents.

If a |>ower of attorney is to be recorded, it should be acknowledged. Where any act of the attorney is to be by deed, the authority to execute it must also be by deed. A document authorizing the attorney to execute a sealed instrument, must of itself be under seal, and a power to convey lands requires the same regulations in its acknowledgment by both husband and wife, in many States, as a deed by them would require. The following illustrates the general form and wording of such a document, together with other papers related thereto:

GENERAL FORM OF POWER OF ATTORNEY.

Know All Men By These Presents, that I, Henry G. Holden, of Londonderry, in the County of Windham, and Slate or Vermont, have made, constituted and appointed, and bv these presents do make, constitute and appoint James II, Hill, of Downer's Grove, County of Dupage, and State of Illinois, a true and lawful attorney for me, and in my name, place and stead, and in my behalf, to [here insert the things which the attorney is to a*o~\, her*, by giving and granting unto mv said attorney full power and authority in the premises to use all lawful means in my name and for my sole benefit, for the purposes aforesaid. And generally to do and perform all such acts, matters and things as my said attorney shall deem necessary and expedient for the completion of the authority hereby given, as fully as I might and could do were I persanallv present. In witness whereof, I, the said Henry G. Holden, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this first day of" Decernher, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six. Signed and sealed in pretence of ( HEN'KV G. HOLDEN. [seal.]

GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY TO COLLECT DEBTS.

Know All Men By These Presents, that I, Henry O. Holden, in the town of Londonderry, Countv of Windham, and State of Vermont, have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint Jas. II. Hill my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name, to ask, demand, sue for, recover and receive of John Holland, "and of all and every person and persons whomsoever indebted to me by note, account, or otherwise, all such sums of money, debt, and demands whatsoever, as now are or may be due and owing to me from them or either of them. And in default of payment of the same by them or either of them, to take all lawful means, in my name or otherwise, for the recovery thereof, by attachment, arrest or otherwise, and to arrange and agree for the same; and on receipt thereof lo discharge the same, and seal and deliver in a lawful manner, and do all lawful acts concerning the premises as I would do myself were I personally present; and make and revoke such attorneys under him as may be necessary for the purposes aforesaid.

Hereby confirming all my said attorney shall in my name lawfully do, or cause to be done, in or about the premises.

In witness whereof, I, the said Henrv G. Holden, have hereto set my hand and seal, this ninth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and srventy-six. Signed and sealed in presence of ) HENRY G. HOLDEN. [seal. J )

LETTER OF REVOCATION.

Whereas I, Henry G. Holden, of I^ondonderry, County of Windham, and Stale of Vermont, did on the first day of December, in eighteen hundred and seventy-six, by a certain instrument in writing or letter of

282

attorney, make and appoint Jas. H. Hill, of Downer's Grove, County of Dupage, State of Illinois, to be mv lawful attorney in mv name and*for my use, to [here set forth what the attorney was authorized to do,, precisely in the language of the original power], as by the same writing, reference thereto being had, will fully appear: Now know all men by these presents, that I, the said Henry'G. Holden, for a just cause, have revoked, recalled and made void the said letter of attorney, and all

Cowers or authorities therein granted, and all acts which shall or may e done by virtue thereof. [If another attorney is to be appointed continue thus:] And further know ye, that I, the said Henry G. Holden, do by these presents name, constitute and appoint John X. Hurd, of Aurora, County of Kane, and State of Illinois, to be mv lawful attornev. Signed and sealed in presence of I HENRY G. HOLDEN. [seal.]

DUTIES OF CORONERS.

The office of coroner is one which the people of every community must provide for. Sudden deaths, which take place through violence, poison, suicide, and accident, demand investigation by persons competent to determine the cause of such death; hence in every State there are statutes regulating the manner of holding the coroner's inquest.

The duty of the coroner, upon being notified of a person being found dead, supposed to have conic to his or her death through violence or unnatural means, is to summon a Jury of *\x men, usually. Upon their assembling he will appoint one of the number a foreman, who, upon their being sworn to do their duty, will carefully proceed to investigate the cause of the death, witnesses being sworn by the coroner, and all other measures taken calculated to arrive at the true facts of the case.

As soon as the inquest is held and the verdict of the jury is rendered, if the deceased is unknown and is unclaimed by friends, immediate measures are taken to bury the body, which is done at the expense of the deceased person's estate if such there be. If not, then at the expense, generally, of the county. All goods found, after ten days' notice, according to the law of various States, are sold, and the proceeds, along with the moneys, papers or other valuable thing or things, deposited with the county treasurer, the coroner taking a receipt therefor. In the hands of the county treasurer they are to remain five years, subject to the order of the legal representatives of the deceased. If in that time they are not called for, then the property vests in the county.

It is made the duty of the coroner to keep a book of record in which is fully detailed all the circumstances attending every inquest, the testimony of witnesses, etc., and where any person or persons are implicated in the death, to arrange to have such witness or witnesses knowing the fact appear at the next term of court.

It is made the duty of the foreman to bring in the verdict, which will vary according to circumstances, as follows:

VERDICT IN CASE OF MURDER.

STATE OF »

County, \ 8S*

At an inquest held at the house of A. B. in the town of , county

of , on the dav of , iS—, before C. D., a coroner or justice o'f

the peace in said county, upon the body of E. F. [or, a person unknown], there lving dead, the following jurvmen being sworn to inquire into all the circumstances attending the death of the said E. K. [or, a person

unknown], decide that one G. H., of [or, late of] the town of , in

the county of , aforesaid, [or as the case may be] on the day

of ,"in the year iS—, at o'clock in the afternoon of that day,

made an assault upon the body of the deceased with a rod of iron [or as the case maybe], from which assault wounds were inflicted on his left

breast, causing the death of the deceased on the day of ,

iS—.

[If others were implicated in the murder, state the fact, and who.] In witness whereof, the jurors have to this verdict set their hands on the day of the inquest.

[To be signed by the jurors. ]

The justice or coroner should indorse on the verdict of the jury his acceptance thereof, which may be as follows:

The within verdict was made, signed and delivered to me this

day of , iS—. A. B., Coroner or 'Justice of the Peace.

VERDICT IN CASE OF SUICIDE.

At in inquest held [proceedas in case of verdict for murder], decide

thai the said O. P. for, person unknown] did on the dav of -,

iS—, at the town of , in said county of . voluntarily and with

his own hand [here state the nature of his death], from which act he instantly died [or as the case may be].

In witness whereof, etc. [as in case of verdict for murder].

VERDICT WHERE DROWNED BY ACCIDENT.

STATE OF I

County, f

At an inquest held [Proceed as in case of verdict for murder], deciiic

that the said R. H., on the day of , at o'clock —. M-, at

, in the county aforesaid, went into river in the town of

, to bathe, anu was accidentally drowned.

In witness, etc. [as in case of verdict for murder].

VERDICT IN CASE OF NATURAL DEATH.

STATE OF

At an inquest held [proceed as in case of verdict for murder], decide

that the said E. B. on the day of , at in the town of

, in the county aforesaid, being found lying on the highway in the

town of [or as the'case maybe], with no marks of violence upon his body, came to his death from natural causes.

In witness whereof, etc. [as in case of verdict for murder.]

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

It is common with societies and assemblies of various kinds to entrust the special work of such society or assembly, requiring considerable investigation, to a committee usually consisting of three, five or more, who are expected to examine the subjectwhich they are appointed to investigate, and at a certain specified time, or at their earliest convenience, bring in a written report of their conclusions.

It is customary to have such committee of an odd number, as three, five, etc., so that in case of the committee failing to agree there can be a majority vote, and a majority as well as a minority report.

The following may serve as specimens of various kinds of reports:

MAJORITY REPORT.

To the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Aurora, in Common Council

assembled;

Your committee, to whom was referred the proposition of John Jones to sell to the city a gravel bed, comprising a piece of land of tour rods by ten in size, being lot four in block ten in the original plat of the city of Aurora, having nad the same under advisement, ask leave to report as follows, to wit:

The gravel in this bed. though not of the uniform quality that may be desired, is yet sufficiently cood to answer the purpose of grading the streets. The quantity in this lot, according to estimate, will he sufficient for the city's use in the east division of the city for the next five years, and, considering its accessibility, the city is recommended to bay the lot at the price offered, namely, five hundred dollars.

L. O. HILL,
H. !L EVANS,

MINORITY REPORT.

To the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Aurora, in Common Council

assembled:

The undersigned, the minority of a committee to whom was referred the proposition of John Jones to sell to the city a gravel bed, comprising a piece of land four rods by ten in sire, being lot four in block tea in the original plat of the city of Aurora, having had the same under advisement, asks leave to report as follows, to wit:

The gravel in this ned is not such as the city should purchase as a covering for the streets, being in certain veins too fine, and in other

fdaces altogether too coarse. As there are other points in the ritv where ots can be purchased containing gravel which Is much better adapted to the purpose of graveling streets, just as accessible and quite as cheap, the undersigned therefore recommends that the city do not purchase the lot at the price offered, namely, five hundred dollars.

S. B. HAWLEY.

REPORT OF THF TREASURER OF AN ASSOCIATION.

The undersigned, treasurer of the New York Mutual Benefit Association, herewith submits his annual report:

The balance in the treasurer's hands at the commencement of the present year, was forty-four (44) dollars. During the year, as shown bv the accompanying exhibit A, which is hereto appended, there have hern received into the treasury, from all sources,five hundred and ninrtv one (59O dollars and eighty-four (^4) cents. During the same time the expenditures have been two hundred and fifty-aeTen f 157) dollars snd ter* (10) cents, leaving a balance in the treasury, and subject to the order of the society, the sum of three hundred and thirty-four (J34) dollars and seventy-four (74) cents.

All of which is rcspectfullv submitted.

A. VAN* OSDEL, Treasurer, tV. T. M. B. A.