The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1905-03-24
ROAD oVERsEsRs OUT.

D
} General, Made Them APP0intivs Omees-
Attorney General Coleman has de-
cided that the last legislature put out of
business every road overseer IN the state
Of Kansas. This is q fact which viii be
Of interest to several thousand of these
important officers throughout the state.
This viii serve as notice to them that
they are officially dead.
The new law, which has already gone
into effect, provides that the township
board Of each township IN the state
shall henceforth constitute a board of
commissioners of highways. All the
roads and highways IN that township,
except roads IN cities of more than 500
population are under the charge Of the
township board
All acts and parts Of acts in conflict
with the provision of the new act are
repealed, and this is what puts the old
road overseers out of business. Some
of the old Overseers have written to the
attorney general claiming that they had
a vested right in their Offices; that they
were elected by vote of the people, and
cannot be ousted by act Of the legisla-
turer. 1t is held blythe attorney general,
however, that the legislature has the
right to abolish any Office not provided
for in the constitution. II can also add
OF take from the duties of any consti-
tutional Office 50 long as It does not ma
terially alter the character of the Office.
The new law does not, however, abol-
ish the Offices of road Overseer; II simply
abolishe the Offices as at present con
stituted. Instead of being an elective
Office, the position Of road overseer viii
in the future be apPointive, and the
township board will do the appointing.
The township board has the right to
divide the township into as many road
districts as It deemed necessary, pro-
vided that the number shall not exceed
four. It shall also appoint 4 road over
seer for each of the road districts. Of
course, If the board finds that the town
ship IS already divided satisfactorily,
and that the present road Overseers are
doing their work properly, It can simply
ratify the existing arrangements, and
reaPPoint the present road Overseers.
In many townships, however, there are
eight or ten road overseers now holding
Office, and in such cases there will have
to be a general Encouragement and de-
capitation.
The road Overseers who are appoint
ed by the township board hold Office for
a term of two years, and receive s. a
day for each days actual service, for as
many days a year as the township board
may direct The township board Is the
boss of the job, and is held responsible
for the condition of the roads in the
township.
All the taxes must be paid in cash,
and the mOrey must be expended
through the township board. The board
shall buy road working tools when nee
essary, and II IS also authorized to let
contracts for road work to the lowest
responsible bidder when It deems advis-
able to do so.
The fact that the township board is
given a fund with which to contract for
improvement work is one of the import
ant provisions of the act. On or before
August I of each year, the township
board is required to recommend to the
comfy commissioners a levy of not
more than FIVE mills on the property of
the township, and the county clerk IS
required to put this levy on the tax
rolls When the taxes are paid IN the
money IS handled through the township
board.