The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-09-26

for which towns IRE ant!~s4y z2b
&c sec Of the same chapter - s~Ufh
GERS and agents Of the Town, Cor 7eompensaiion
is provided by vote of the town
Q All claims, which are required by law TO be
audited by the Select Men, must be prepared in the
form of an account against the town, carefully spe-
cirying the several cms with their respective rates.
duly certified by the claimants under oath or snppor-
ted by the affidavit of some competent and credible
witness as the Select Men shall require.
g. The Select Men will uniformly attend on the
day and ut the place Of holding the annual town meet
ing nj O'Clock in the forenoon and then and there
publicly proceed in the manner above specified
ANY nhabitnnt of the town wishing object TO the
allowance Of an account will he heard
A. All accou nis presented to the Select Men in
The prescribed form, will be by them recorded and
if allowed the order on the Treasurer will be attached
to the original account.
s. On the presentnon Of claim for the allow
ance of either of the Select Men at amy Other lime
than the annual town meeting time and place shall
be appointed for taking tie same into consideration
mud the Selct Men will in all cases adjourn exam-
nation from time to time the Interest Of the claim
ant Of the town shall require
TO the Town Treasurers are assigned certain new
duties by the Revised Statutes which require from
from them a corresponding change in doing their bu-
sncss. They to have the custody of all leases,
lands mortgages and other securities belonging the
Of such fund and keep separate account of the
same. ZIG, %. They shall also pay all orders
Of the Select Men and Overseers of the poor. 90,
Il SO.
With respect to the first Of these requirements
there can be doubt If the Treasures keep
faithful s. n distinct account Of all monies received
account Of the school fund and their annual dsburse
mcnts this will hc sufficient. As to The other
quiremcnt, dhcrcnt opinions have already been elic'
tied, affirming that the Treasurer is bound to
pay every order signed by the Select Men, whether
the subject matter, in which it originated be within
the scope Of their authority not and whether the
oh ject for which was drawn be expressed or not
Others say, It's his duty to know both the objects Of
the orders and their genuneness before he pays them
The vague generality ofihe law has led 10 these dit
erent views But the phrase, "Orders Of the Select
Men, must not such as the Select Men hare
actually drG,rp but snch intended By The latp
and the latter quality should appear the face Of
the order itself by distinct annunciaon Of the oh
iect or purpose accomplished or TO he accomplished
by the money thus taken from the Treasury. This
will be PLAN If we enquire into the 'Ireasurcrs duty
as 10 orders drawn by the Orersesrs Of the poor
The object for which the Select Men may draw on
strictcd to cne only, The Treasures would not hes
tate to reject an order, though signed by the Over
seer If mol in fduor of his predecessor and for bal
ancc due him from the tom. The scrutiny and
care are douby necessary in case of orders by the
Select Men. The Treasurer is not passive
| instrument, n stock, or stone; but responsible
being, selected for his intelligence and Integrity and
presumed to be so FAR acquainted with the law to
| know where the Select Men step out Of their proper
line Of duty. Orders, thus guarded and receipt for
the amount, endorsed thereon by the payee would be
sufficient voucher for the Treasurer and any thing
short Of this should be rejected by the Auditors.
The Trustees of the United States deposte money
hold highly important and responsible station and
their action for good for evil may essentially effect
the welfare of the towns. IL the towns faithful
to themselves they will carefully provide wholesome
rules calculated to fidelity in the Trustees and
prompt payment by those who accommodated
with loans, that all may in turn enjoy the benefit
derived from the Of the money. The interest
received from timc 10 time should be loaned until
wanted FOR distribution for the last of February, the
total income of the year should be uniformly paid TO
the Treasurer For tho security of the towns,a well
MS the Trustees themselves, such should furnish his
separate bond annually, for each is responsible only
for his individual acts those to which he has gver
his assent. The several days on which the money
becomes due and is to be reloaned, should be made
known through the town and no encouragement eve
be given FOR the removal Of notes SO long aP
picans unsupped. ....
BY an act Of IL, Nov. 1912, it is made the dut,
L.