Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-07-04
From the Des M oines Valley Wing.
The County Judge.

may be interesting TO our readers to be
informed in reference TO the jurisdiction,
power and duties of that officer. And
we therefore make The following abstract
Of the provisions of the code on the
subject.
The County Judge is to keep an of.
lice al the county seat, open at all usual
hours. He is the keeper of the county
seal. and is invested with the powers
now exercised by the County Commits
sioners and the Judge of Probate, and
also some additional powers and jurisdic-
ton conferred by this statute. Being
the accounting officer and general agent
of the county, he has the management
of all county business, and the custody
of the property, except such as is by
law placed in the custody of other Off
GERS.
He audits all accounts and draws war
rants on the Treasurer. He also keeps
a distinct account with the Treasurer,
and holds him to a strict accountability.
He is to keep journal, known as the
"minute book in which all orders. de-
cisions, allowances, &C., made by him.
are 10 be entered, with the dates of the
same; except such matters as relate to
roads and Probate business, and for each
OF these separate book is to be kept
III e is also TO keep warrant book, y
for the entry oil the number, date. amount,
and the name of the drawee of each
warrant drawn on the Treasurer, and
from time to time he is to deliver TO the
Treasurer memorandum Of the same
character.
lie is TO manage all civil affairs Of the
county, and prosecute all civil actions
for the benefit of the same. And TO
keep an account of receipts and exprn-
Gitures, and on the first Monday of Jn-
ly to cause an annual statement of the
same to be posted at the court house
door and two other public places in the
county, retaining the original TO be flied.
He is also TO see to the providing of the
necessary books, rooms and stationery
for the courts and county officers.
All contracts and deeds for the convey
ance of land made by the county are TO
be executed and acknowledged by the
Judge, and have the county seal affixed.
Authority to administer oalhs and take
Acknowledgements Of instruments is con,
ferred upon him; and he is prohibited
from engaging in counsel in any mater
which may come before him for adiudi-
cation.
In eases where the Judge is interested
or when the office is vacant from any
cause, the Prosecuting Attorney will fill
the place of the Judge, and in case be
cannot act the duty is deyolved OH the
County Clerk.
map from the field notes of the
original survey of the county is to be
kept in the office of the Judge; and also
township maps. upon the latter of
which lanGs that have been sold are to
be marked, according to the returns
from the Land Offices.
Various questions in regard to borrow
ing money, constructing county buildings,
bridges and roads, and levying addition
al taxes TO discharge county Indebtedness,
and in reference 10 stock running at large,
may be submitted 20 vote of the peo-
pie, al the discretion Of the Judge.
AS A COUNTY COURT
He shall hold regular sessions, COM
mencing the first Monday in each month.
except April and August, in which ii
shall be the Tuesday, following: and
when the District Court is in session at
the regular periods for the County Court,
the latter shall be held on the Monday
preceding.
Matters requiring notice shall be
heard in regular session or at an .adjour-
ned meeting, all other matters NAV be
disposed of by the Judge al any time.
The Records Of the County Court
are the minute book, the warrant book,
the road book and probate records.
The court has authority to erect or re.
pair court houses, jails, and other neces-
J sary buildings for the use of the county.
1t also has the general supervision of
highways in the county, with authority
10 establish and change them; to grant
licenses for ferries and bridges, and fix
the rates Of toll TO be charged. This
court has the power 10 compel persons
TO supper, their relatives needing relief,
upon The application of the Trustees,
aud to cause the erection of a Poor
House when he may deem il necessary,
and to take care that the poor are sup
ported and properly treated: it has also
Jurisdiction of complaints of bastardy,
to charge the father with the support of
his illegi,imate offspring. And has pow.
er to grant injunciions, and TO issue writs
of habeas corpus. II may not issue ha
beds corpus, however, in any case where
the commitment. has been made by auth
oriiy of the Judge of the Supreme or
District Courts.
All matters shall be tried by the court.
except i'll cases where jury is express
ly allowed; and appeals may be taken TO
the District Court, except in cases where
it is otherwise expressed.
ASA COURT OF PROBATE
The County Judge exercises the usual
jurisdiction, and performs the ordinary
duties of Probate Judge, and has the
charge of minor children and insane per-