There are seventy-three cities of the second class in Iowa. Of these Keokuk, with a population (1895) of 14,287, is the largest, and Anamosa, with a population of 2,006, is the smallest. Ten towns of over two thousand inhabitants seem not to have complied with the requirement to incorporate as cities of the second class, but still remain incorporated towns. (See Iowa Official Register for 1896, p. 108).

153. Cities of the First Class.-Cities of fifteen thousand inhabitants are required to organize as cities of the first class, and the list of officers varies with the size of the city. The election of city officers occurs on the last Monday in March. (Code § 642.). The following table shows the principal officers in a city of the first class:

This court is established, at the option of the people, in place of the police court in cities of over 7000. There are three in the state (See Judiciary), located at Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, and Keokuk.

The mayor in cities of the first-class is the presiding officer of the council, with the power to vote only in case of a tie, (Code § 658, (5) and the veto power.

The council is divided into two classes, those belonging to one class being elected in the odd years, and those belonging to the other class being elected in the even years. As in other municipalities, they have charge of the peace and the prosperity of the city. They pass such ordinances (city laws) as they think wise, and provide for the enforcement of the same. They act as a board of review for the city.

DIAGRAM SHOWING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT IN IOWA.

first class in Iowa. The names of these cities and the population of each is given in the following list: (Census of 1895.)

There are many cities in Iowa whose governments are outlined in special charters granted them in the early history of the State. Among these cities are Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Keokuk, Glenwood, and Winterset.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. The marshal was formerly chosen by the council, and could be removed only by their votes. Is the present plan an improvement?

2. Would it be a good plan to allow the mayor to choose the marshal without the consent of the council?

3. What appointing power was granted to the mayor of Brooklyn by the charter of 1882? (Bryce's American Commonwealth, Vol. I., pp. 625-627.)

4. What vital relation is there between authority and responsibility?

5. What do you know of the municipal reform movement?

CHAPTER XIV

155.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT

County Government.-The State of Iowa

is divided into ninety-nine counties. They usually

contain sixteen Congressional townships, and the constitution forbids any new counties to be organized

containing less than four hundred and thirty-two square miles, or twelve Congressional townships. (Constitution, Art. XI., Sec. 2.) Any change in the boundaries of a county requires the consent of the State Legislature, as well as that of all the counties affected. (Constitution, Art. III., Sec. 30.) There is a capital, or county seat, in each county, where the county buildings are located, and where the officers keep the records and attend to all necessary business. This county seat is located by the vote of the people, and can be changed only by a popular vote, which has been demanded by a petition from a majority of the legal voters.

156. Two County Seats. Some counties, like Pottawattamie and Lee, have two county seats. This occurs because of the size of the county or inability of the people to agree on one location. In Lee county, one of these county seats is at Fort Madison, and the other at Keokuk. There are two sets of books or records kept in the offices of the clerk, recorder, and treasurer, i.e., one set at either county seat, and the sheriff has a deputy at each place. The district court meets at Fort Madison in January, April, September, and November, and at Keokuk in March, May, October, and December. The board of supervisors meet at Fort Madison, and the auditor's office and its records are there, though there is a deputy auditor at Keokuk. The county superintendent usually has his office at his home, in whatever part of the county that may be.

157. The County Officers.-The officers of the county are mentioned in the following table: