Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-01-06

better attained thereby.
QUoRUM.
10. A majority Of the councilmen elected by
the several wards shall be necessary for the
transaction of any business
OFFICERS APPOINTED.
l6 There shall be a Sergeant, Treasurer
and Assessor. and Commissioner OF the roads,
streets and alleys Of said town, who shall be
appointed by the council thereof, aud hold their
office daring the pleasure Of said council The
duties Of Recorder. aud Treasurer and Assessor
may be discharged by the same person, or o.
therwise, as the council may from tine to time
determine.
OATH OF OFFICE.
IT, The Mayor, Recorder, Conncilmen and
all officers herein provided for, shall each, be-
fore entering upon the duties Of his Office, and
within 10 days of the time Of his election or
/ appointment, take and subscribe an oath to
faithfully and impartially discharge the duties
Of his office and the oath to support the Con-
stitution of the United States, and the Consti-
tuition of the State Of West Virginia The
Mayor having taken such oath or affirmation,
NAV administer the same to the councilmen
and other officers Certificates of said oaths
or affirmation shall be recorded on the journal
kept by the council, and whenever two thirds
of the members Of the common council shall
have qualified they shall enter upon the said
Offices.
FAILURE TO QUALIFY.
IS If any one who shall have been duly E.
/ lected Mayor, Recorder or Councilman, shall
not have been eligible as herein prescribed, or
shall refuse or fail to take the oath or afirma-
ton required under this act. within the time
prescribed, the council, for the time being,
Shall declare his said Office vacant and proceed
to Gil said vacancy as provided in section l /
Of this act
PRESIDING OFFICER.
49, The Council shall be presided over at its
meetings by the Mayor, or in his absence by
/ the Recorder, and in the absence of both May
or and Recorder, by one Of tho Councilmen,
| chosen by majority Of the council present
JOURNAL or Council.
| 90 The Council shall cause to be kept in a
| well bound book an accurate record Of all its
proceedings, bylaws. acts and orders, which
| Shall be fully iudexed and open to the inspcc-
/ ton of the citizens of the town. The proceed
| inss Of each meeting shall be read and correct
ed at the succeeding meeting and signed by
the person presiding for the time being. Upon
the call Of any member the yeas and nays shall
be called aud recorded in the journal In all
cases of tie the person presiding at the time
shall have the casting vote.
Powers OF CoUNcrL
81. The Council shall have power to open
new streets, and extend widen straighten and
repair old streets and alleys to curb and pave
streets sidewalks and cutters for public use,
and to alter, improve and light the same and
shall have control of all the avenues for public
use in saI town, to have the same kept IN good
order aud free from distractions on or over
them to regulate and determine the width Of
all streets, sidewalks and public alleys; to or
der and direct the curling and paving of all
sidewalks and footways for public use in sald
town, to be done and kept in good order by the
owners or occupants of tho adjacent property ;
to control the construction and repairs of all
houses, bridges, and culverts; the opening and
construction of ali bitches, drains, and cutters;
to widen, deepen and clear the same of stag
nant water and filth, and to determine at whose
expense the same shall be done to purchase,
lay of aad appropriate public grounds and
control the use Of the same 10 provide con-
tract for and take care Of all public buildings
proper to the town to provide for the regular
building Of houses or other structures to
| cause the removal of unsafe walls or buildings;
to prevent injury or annoyance to the public
or individuals from anything dangerous, Often
sive or unwholeSome to abate or cause TO be
abated anything which in the opinion of the
majority Of the whole council, shall be nus-
auce; to regulate the keeping of guDpowcer
and other combustihles; to provide in or near
the town places for the burial Of the dead, and
to regulate interments in the town, and pro-
vide shade and ornamental trees to provide
for making division fences and for the draining
of lots by proper drains and bitches to make
regulations for guarding against danger or
damages from fires: to provide for the poor of
the town. to organise one or more FIRE com
panies and provide the necessary apparatus,
tools, implements, engines, or any of them for
their use to provide sufficient revenue for
said town, and appropriate the same to its ex-
penses; to issue bonds Of the corporation and
make sale thereof, but no such bonds shall be
sold by such corporation for less than eighty
cents on each one hundred cents thereof; nor
shall said corporation be indebted on account
Of such issue at any period in greater sum than
ten thousand dollars without the consent Of
majority Of the voters Of the town expressed at
an election held for that purpose: nor shall
! the whole Indebtedness of said town at any
time ever exceed the sum of twenty thousand
dollars; to provide for the annual assessment
Of taxable persons and property in the town;
! to adopt rules for the transaction of business
and for the government and regulation of its
own body; to promote the general welfare of
the town and to proteo' the persons and pro-
| perty Of the citizens therein; TO appoint the
officers authorised by section l6 OF this act, fix
their term of service and compensation, require
and take from them bonds with such suretes,
aud in such penalties as the council may de-
termine, conditioned for the true and faithful
discharge Of their duties, and remove them at
pleasure, tall bonds taken by the council shall
be made payable to the town by its corporate
name;l to regulate and provide for the weigh
ing Of hay, coal, wood, aud other articles sold
or for sale in said town, and to regulate the
transportation thereof through the streets; to
establish and regulate markets. 10 prescribe the
time for holding the same, and what articles
shall be sold only in said markets; to protect
places Of divine worship; to lay off the town
into three or more wards and to appoint and
publish the places Of holding town elections
to erect or authorize or prohibit the erection Of
gas works or water works in or near the town,
to prevent injury to and provide protection of
the same; to provide for the purity OF the wa
ter and the heathfulness Of the town-for all
Of which purposes except Shat of taxation, the
council shall have jurisdiction for one mile b.
yond the corporate limits Of said town.