Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-02-01
The Supervisors Convention.

arrived at:
TO the Honorable members Of tile Senate
and House Of Representatives of the
State of Ioaoa:
GENTLEMEN:-At State Convention
OF the Boards of Supervisors of the
State OF Iowa, assembled in Des Moines
the 24th of January, 1878, the following
resolutions, after careful consideration
and due deliberation, were adopted, and
are herewith respectfully presented to
your honorable body in the hope and
belief, that for the purpose of obtaining
better financial condition of the sew
eral counties of the State, and making
more efficient the duties of the county
and township officers, we would most
respectfully represent that the follow
ing proposed amendments and modifca-
tons of existing laws, if adopted by
you, would, in the opinion of this con
vention, be not only economical but
beneficial; therefore,
Resolred, That it is the opinion of
this convention that the constitution of
Iowa should be so amended as to pro-
cure legislative reform tending to de-
crease our expenses, and reduce the
burden of taxation, and that the time
has come when the people desire the
abolition of the grand jury or the prop
er limitation of their powers. That the
office of district attorney should be
done away with and provide for a less
number of jurors; also,
That the fines now paid into the school
fund should be paid into the county
fund.
That in accordance with the forego-
ing resolution, the present legislature
should authorize call for special
constitutional convention at their ear
Hest convenience, to revise and amend
the constitution so as to adapt it to the
present wants of the people.
That section 1895 of the Code of Iowa
be so amended as to read, that where
the damages are less than ten dollars,
the penalty shall not exceed 800, or
thirty days Imprisonment, or both at
the discretion of the court
That section 4168 of the revision of
1860 be substituted for section 1929 of
the Code of 1873.
That the bill now before the general
assembly for reducing the number of
the grand jurors to seven, is earnestly
recommended.
That the vagrant laws be so amended
as to allow Migrants to be summary
dealt with before a justice of the peace,
instead of being committed to the dis
trict court for trial
That the court require the parties in
each case to state whether they wish a
jury trial or trial by court, on the first
day OF the term when the docket is
called, and that the court make the en-
try on the docket accordingly; and if
any party do not call for a jury trial on
the first day of the term, it shall be a
trial by the court, and all jury cases
shall be tried first and the jury dis
missed.
That all the jury fees in civil cases
be taxed to the losing party in the suit.
That some restraint should be put
upon justices of the peace so that they
will not entertain so many petty cases
merely to make bill of costs against
the county.
That the general assembly pass law
restraining defendants in state cases
from subpGnaing an unnecessary num-
Der OF witnesses.
That the legislature be requested to
take such action as will tend to reduce
the expenses of the office of county SUI
perintendent of public schools and make
the same more efficient.
That the jurisdiction of justices of
the peace be made co-extensive with the
county in civil cases on amounts of
three hundred dollars or less.
That we would recommend that our
legislature enact a law prohibiting mar
shals and police of cities and incorpor-
ated towns from claiming constable fees
from that county in any eases of arrests
made by them except in preliminary ex-
amlnations.
That we would recommend that the
circuit court be abolished, and that
county courts may be established with
such powers and duties as the legisla-
ture may deem wise, and that upon such
county courts should be conferred pro-
bate jurisdiction.
That all counties having a bonded in
debtedness, shall be allowed to issue
new bonds where the same can be placed
at lower rate of interest than the old
ones, for the purpose of taking up the
old bonds.
That all counties having a floating in
debtedness prior to March 1st, 1873,
shall be allowed to bond the same in ac-
cordance with the conditions of the
laws enacted by the XVI ASSEMBLY,
chapter 125.
That the general assembly be request
ed to amend the road law so that 80 per
cent. of the road tax levied by the town
ship trustees shall be made payable in
cash, and to be collected by the county
treasurer, and that this fund shall be
expended in the several townships I'M
der the control of the township trus-
tees the remainder of the road tax, to-
gether with the poll tax to be expended
as now provided.
That the term of Office of township
trustees should be for three (3) years,
one Cd to be elected each year.
That the word " three, in the fifth
line of section 1928 Code, 1873, be
out and the word six be substi-
tuted.
That the compensation of police judge
and city marshal should be fixed by sal
airy instead of fees of office.
That no fees in criminal cases should
be allowed to police or other officers
where such officers are paid by salary.
That a prosecuting witness should not
be entitled to receive fees, if the pros
ecution fails in state cases.
That section 2, chapter 1913, sixteenth
assembly, should be amended to read as
follows, after the word election in the
18th line: provided that not more
than one election shall be held for the
same purpose in any one year."
That mayors and police magistrates
Of cities should be paid salary to at
tend all criminal cases inside their linn
it's, and that these have exclusive orig
nal jurisdiction in state cases, and that
they be allowed to retain no fees, and
that they pay all fees collected by them
into the city treasury.
The exemptions contemplated in the
laws under sections 1893 and 100 be con-
fined to the sections on which the trees
are grown.
Whereas, That in the present system
Of assessment, the law as contemplated
is superseded by a custom undermining
the virtue of our people, in teaching
them to conceal their property; in con-