Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-10-02
TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT.
SWEEPING CHANGES IN LAWS FOR
FOSTER AND HALLE.

After March :, 1909, They VIII Be
Ruled in " Manner Similar to Bor-
oughs-1hI co other ruzerne Townships
Affected by the New Law.
The five most important townships of
this county will undergo radical
change in their government next spring
A law passed at the last session of the
legislature gives to townships having a
population of 300 to each square mile of
its territory a government as nearly
akin to that of boroughs as it is possible
to make it, and students of townships,
which have suffered many abuses of
many and varied sorts in the past de-
cade or two, are awaiting with anxiety
to see what the result of the experiment
will be.
The townships that will be effected in
this county are Plains, Plymouth, New
port, Halle and Foster. The first cleo
tion under the new law will be held on
the third Tuesday of next February and
the new officers will qualify on the first
Monday in March, 1900
The new law divides township into
first and second classes. Those not
having population of 300 to the square
mile will be second-class townships and
will continue to be governed as at pres
ent.
FIRsT-CLAss TOWNSHIPS.
All others are to be known as town
ships of the first class, and the new act
prescribes that irst-class townships
shall have board of township com
missioners, the number of whom will
be not less than five, and where the
population is more than 5000 an ad-
ditional commissioner for each 1000 in
serve without salary and shall hold no
other township office.
The first board of commissioners will
apportion the township into districts,
giving it as many districts as it is en-
titled to according to population, and
at all succeeding elections for commits
sioners each commissioner will be
elected by the citizens of the district
he represents, as councilmen in bor-
oughs are at present chosen. 1t is not
the district in which a commissioner is
to be voted for to make him eligible
POWERS OF COMMISSIONERS.
The commissioners will organize by
the election of one of their number for
president. They shall meet at least
once month. A majority shall const-
tute quorum and the following powers
shall be vested in the board of commits
sioners: To grade, light, pava and re-
pair highways; to curb and pave side
walks in villages; to establish system
of sewerage and drainage when neces-
sary for the public health to provide
for costs and maintenance; to contract
for the carrying off of sewerage; to
abate nuisances and regulate the
running of animals at large; to establish
night watch and police force; to pro-
vide lookup; to arrest and confine vag-
rants; to purchase fire engines; to
regulate circuses and public entertain
ments; to levy tax; to borrow money,
etc. The limit of the debt shall not ex-
ceed per cent of the valuation.
CAN APPOINT SUPERVISORS.
No Indebtedness shall be incurred
except by ordinance. All ordinances
shall be published at least twice in
newspaper. The commissioners can
appoint supervisors and engineers
Highways must be kept clear Owners
of property can petition for sidewalks,
the majority of the owners fronting
highway shall make it lawful to have it
done. Commissioners can require own
ers to grade, pave and curb. If the
owners neglect, the board can grade
and pave, and file lien on property
unless paid.
The commissioners have the electing
of township clerk and the salary shall
be fixed by ordinance.
TREASURER A GOOD OFFICE.
The township treasurer shall be elect
ed by the voters to serve three years.
He shall receive as compensation per
cent of all taxes received or collected by
him, unless different rate is fixed by
the commissioners thirty days before his
election. The same person may serve as
treasurer of the township and the school
board, but no member of the school
Deafness Cannot be Cured