The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-12-31

Some weeks ago John j. Coyne, of
Minooka, applied to the county COM
missioners to proclaim Lackawanna
a township of the first class. under tie
provisions of the act of 1899 and the
supplementary act of 1901. The corn.
missioners promised to consult their
attorney regarding the application.
nothing further was heard from them
by Mr.. Coyne, and yesterday, accom-
panied by Hon. c. p. O'Malley, of WI.
lard, Warren & Knapp, he went be-
fore Judge Edwards and asked for n
peremptory mandamus to compel the
commissioners to issue the proclama-
ton. The mandamus was issued forth
with and will be published this morning
The immediate action of the court is
due to the fact that the law demands
that the proclamation shall be made
before the first of the year to make 1t
effective for the year. and leaves no
discretion to the court or commission
ers when it is shown that the township
is entitled to the classification.
Lackawanna Is the first township in
this county to take advantage of this
act. LuZerne has several townships of
the first class.
The law stipulates that a borough is
entitled to become first class when a
census shows it has IL population of
300 to the square mile.
The form of government will go into
effect in Lackawanna tomorrow. It's
new officers will be elected in February
and take charge the first Monday in
March.
A township of the first class having
a population of 5000 is entitled to five
commissioners. and one extra commits
sioner for each additional 1000 popula-
tion. Lackawanna has Il population of
5,G23. They serve two years. without
salary and are not eligible to hold any
other township office.
a treasurer is to be elected to serve
three years. There is no provision for
Il tax collector. Mr.. Coyne. the petit
TONER, is the tax collector, and will as
a result of the granting of his petition
be legislated out of office.
An assessor is to be elected for three
years, but the incumbent assessor is
permitted to serve the term for which
he was elected.
Three auditors will be elected for
three years to take office at the eXpira-
ton of the term of the present auditors
The two supervisors are legislated
out of office. The board of township
commissioners may appoint a superior
of highways or township engineer to
do the work now performed by the sup
ervisorS.
The commissioners serve at large at
first but after that must designate the
districts they are to represent. Lacka-
wanna having only four election dis
!ricts, some provision will have to be
made for re-districting the township.
The commit ssonerS meet for OrganiZa-
ton at the oldest established polling
place in the township. After organiza-
ton they can fix their place of meet
ing anywhere in the township.
The new government gives a town.
ship many municipal privileges hereto
fore enjoyed only by cities and bor-
oughs.
The commissioners can appoint a
highway supervisor and assistants and
q township clerk (not a commissioner; +;
they can open and grade streets, lay
sidewalks and cutters. construct sew
ers and drains, supply light, enforce
sanitary regulations prevent the run
ming at large of animals, establish po-
lice and fire fighting forces build a
lookup, and If necessary borrow money
to make possible their exercise of the
powers conferred on them.
All township money must be eX-
pended only by orders on the treasurer
and signed by the president and sec
retary. The treasurer receives five per
cent. of the money he handles, and may
be the treasurer both of the township
and the school district, but can not
succeed himself. No commissioner
school director or auditor can be treas
urer.
The above are the main provisions of
the act Of 1899. In the supplementary
act of 1901 it is provided that the town
ship may establish schools for teaching
the mechanical arts. make contracts
with private parties for sewering or
supplying water. and arrange to con-
meet the township sewer system with
the sewer system Of an adjoining mum
icipality.
The Injunction Granted.