The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-03-18
For The Anderson Mtelliqcncer.

For the Anderson InfefGgeRceT
Mr. EDITOR: In consequence of the partial dis
trbution of the Acts of the late Legislature. par
ties appointed by the County Commissioners 10
organize Townships are at loss TO know what are
their duties at the appointed meeting. If you
will insert these lines in your paper, the desired
information may yet meet the eye of many Of
your subscribers before the town meetings come
off.
The boundaries of each Township are not spe-
ciicaly set forth, because, at the time of order
ing the meetings, some of the lines had not been
completed by the Surveyor, nor maps made out.by
him. But it was supposed the limits of each
Township would be sufficiently known by its ciii-
zeps for the purpose of organizing. Every per-
son residing near the lines lately marked out by
the Surveyor will know on which side he is placed,
and govern himself accordingly.
1t was important that the organizations should
take place at once, inasmuch as the law provides
for the annual meeting of each Township in the
County on the second Tuesday in April. This ar
rangement will enable each Township TO organize
and afterwards direct its attention to moro impor-
tnnt considerations and prepare itself tp act more
deliberately md irtelliCently at the annual meet
ing, when the business transaction, will be more
important and permanent.
The immediate duties Of the appointed Select
men will be made plain by copying Section IL OF
the Act defining the duties OF County Commits
sioners; and for general reference, setting forth
subsequent duties more fully, respectfully sug-
gest adjudication in the lnteitseneer Of the Act
ITO organize Townships" 60. before tao annual
meeting The Act alluded to above requires the
County Commissioners "as soon as practicable to
divide their respective Counties into Townships of
not less than thirty-s1 nor more than one hun
dred square miesin extent" &C., and 'to employ
. surveyor to run and establish the lines," SC.
Section II reads: 'Whenever the County Com
missioners shall erect Township as herein pro-
vided, they shall designate the name thereof the
time and place Of holding the hrst meeting there
in, and three electors Of such Township, whose
duty it shall be to preside at such meetings, ap-
point q clerk, open and keep The polls, and e1er-
else the same powers as Justices of the Peace
while presiding at such meeting; and in case any
of the said electors shall. refuse or neglect to
serve, the electors Of the said Township present
at such meeting shall have power to substitute
some other elector Of said Township for each one
so refusing or negeciing to serve" Sc. - @..a..
| The 9Th Section of the "Act to organize Town
ships" says: Every male citizen Of the age OF
twenty-one years and upwards, resident within
the Township, shall be allowed to vote, under the
same limitations and restrictions as provided in
Section Of Article OF the Constitution for . vo-
ter in the County, at all meetings held for the
transaction Of town business" The voters, OF
course, should be those only who had been rcgu
larly registered. Under the 18th Section, the off
GERS to be elected Town Clerk, who ''shall be
forthwith sworn, either by the Moderator OF q
Justice of the Peace" three Selectmen, one or
more Surveyors of highways, and one Constable.
All the town officers must be sworn. The Clerk is
authorized 10 swear all the other officers. Each
meeting should adjourn to meet the second Tues.
day in April to elect officers for the year ensuing.
Selecmen are required to make out lists Of voters
ten days before that meeting, and do various other
things, of which they must inform themselves
previously"
The Town Clerk is required to keep record Of
all proceedings of town meetings, record all vstss,
administer Oaths to all town officers appearing be-
fore him for'that purpose with various other du-
ties Highway Surveyors attend to working the
roads, &c. The seleetmen have the general su-
perrision Of the concern, Of the Town, and shall
cause all duties not otherwise provided for to be
performed and executed, &c.
The elections Of Town Officers "shall be by
written ballot" The oath alluded to is the oaa
prescribed by the Constitution Of the State.
This synopsis is only made for the convenience
of ,houe unable to procure copies Of the law.
5,-,.,,.-..,l N.