occurs at the same time as that of Sheriff, County Clerk, etc., with this difference, that a Judge of Probate is elected once in four years, while other county officers are elected every two years. The Judge of Probate has jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the settlement of the estates of deceased persons.

The salary of the Judge of Probate in the county of Wayne, is three thousand five hundred dollars. In counties having a population of not less than seventy thousand, the salary is two thousand dollars; in counties having less than seventy thou sand and more than forty thousand inhabitants, fifteen hundred dollars, etc., the salary varying according to the population of a county.

Board of Supervisors.-In each county there is a county Board of Supervisors, consisting of one Supervisor from each township, and one from each ward of a city. The Board of Supervisors is a legislative body. They are the representatives of the county, and they adopt measures for its general welfare. It is their duty,

I. To have general care and supervision of the
county buildings, as the court-house, jail, etc.;
2. To provide for the raising of money to meet
the current expenses of the county, and fix the
salaries of certain county officers, as Clerk,
Treasurer, Prosecuting Attorney;

3. To apportion the State and county tax among
the several townships;

4. To equalize the taxes among the townships of the county;

5. To examine and settle all claims against the county, and order the payment of those that are just;

6. To divide the county into representative districts;

7. To form new townships and alter the boundaries of others.

In Wayne county there is a Board of County Auditors, as well as a Board of Supervisors. The Board of Auditors perform all the duties that are usually performed by a Board of Supervisors, except those relating to taxes. The equalizing of the taxes among the several townships, the apportionment of the State and county tax, and all other matters connected with the assessment and collection of taxes, are powers exercised by the Board of Supervisors.

Superintendents of the Poor.-In every county, three Superintendents of the Poor are elected by the Board of Supervisors. They have,

I. The care of the poor of the county;

2.

The general management of the county poorhouse, and the appointment of a keeper and other necessary officers.

The Superintendents of the Poor, together with the Judge of Probate and the county agent of the State Board of Corrections and Charities, are inspectors of jails.

The Superintendents are elected for three years, one being elected each year. They are allowed such compensation for their services as the Board of Supervisors deem reasonable, but not less than one dollar and fifty cents for each day's service, in addition to their necessary expeases.

The Poor.-Poor persons needing relief are usually supported at the expense of the county in which they reside. When a poor person needs only temporary relief, a Superintendent of the Poor or a Supervisor is authorized to supply his immediate necessities. If, however, it is evident, on examination, that a person is unable to support himself, and that he needs permanent relief, he is sent to the county poor-house, and supported at the expense of the county, under the direction of the Superintendents of the Poor.

Township and County Poor.-In some counties of the State, there is a distinction made between township poor and county poor. If a poor person has resided in a township for one year, he is said to have gained a settlement in the township, and if he needs relief, it is furnished at the expense of the township. If such a person has not gained a legal settlement, he is supported at the expense of the county.

CHAPTER III.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

Townships-The State is not only divided into counties, but each county is divided into smaller divisions called townships. The township is the smallest division of our political system. It approximates to a pure democracy. Here the people meet together to discuss the affairs of the township, and to adopt measures for the general welfare.

A ward in a city corresponds to a township in the county. Township Meetings.-The annual meeting of each township is held on the first Monday in April. At this annual meeting officers are elected, money is appropriated to meet the expenses of the township, and matters of interest connected with the township are discussed. Townships have been truly called the nurseries of a free government. Their influence can not be overestimated. In them the people learn the art of self-government.

Special meetings of the township may be ordered by the Township Board to fill vacancies or transact business.

Township Officers.-At the annual meeting of the township the following officers are elected:

Township officers are elected for one year, with the exception of Justices of the Peace, who are elected for four years, and School Inspectors and the Drain Commissioner, who are elected for two years.

When there is a vacancy in any township office, except Justice of the Peace and Treasurer, the Township Board may make a temporary appointment, until a special town meeting is held for the purpose of choosing some one to fill the vacancy. If the office of Treasurer is vacant, the Township Board is authorized to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. A vacancy in the office of Justice of the Peace may be filled by a special township meeting.

Supervisor. The Supervisor is the principal officer of the township. He is,

1. The moderator of all township meetings for the transaction of any business, except the election of township officers.

Certain officers designated by law have charge of elections. 2. The Chairman of the Township Board, and a member of the Board of Supervisors of the county.

3. The representative of his township in the transaction of all legal business. The township sues through him, and all processes against the township are served upon him.

The Supervisor is annually required to make out a complete list of all persons liable to be taxed, together,