OF INSPECTORS OF COMMODITIES. It is of the utmost importance in commercial intercourse and business, that the purchaser of commodities from the agriculturalist and manufacturer, before he buys at the prices regulated in the fair course of trade, can be assured that the article he buys is sound and merchantable. The wisdom of our laws has insured this to the purchaser, through the medium of inspectors of various commodities. These inspectors are appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, in various numbers, in the cities and counties of the State. Some are fixed by law, and others are appointed in the discretion of the appointing power, where they are deemed necessary. They hold their offices for two years. Every inspector is required by law to inspect all articles subject to his inspection, upon request, and without delay, and is punishable by severe penalties for neglect, fraud or mal-practice in the discharge of his duties. QUESTIONS ON THE PRECEDING. Who may become an auctioneer and how? Can you enumerate those exempt from duties? By whom are sales at public auction conducted? Suppose the auctioneer is absent, or unable to attend for certain reasons? How often do auctioneers state their accounts, and in what manner? How long do they hold their office? What are the duties of inspectors? For what are they subject to penalties ? Corporate powers. OF TOWNS. Every town in the state is for certain purposes, and to a certain extent, a body corporate; and in that capacity may sue, and be sued, in the manner prescrib. ed by law. A town may purchase and hold lands within its limits; can make contracts, and hold personal property, as far as is necessary in the exercise of their legal powers, and may make such orders for the regulation and use of its personal property as are deemed conducive to its interests. These are the extent of the corporate powers of a town, and they are designed to be no more full than is necessary for the prudent, safe, and convenient management of the affairs of its inhabitants, in regard to their corporate well being. Town meetings. The citizens of the several towns, qualified to vote for elective officers, annually assemble and hold town meetings; and when so assembled, they have power, not only to elect town officers, but also to determine what number of assessors, constables, and pound masters shall be chosen for the ensuing year; to direct such sum as they deem necessary to be raised in their town for the support of common schools for the ensuing year; to direct the commencement or defence of suits and controversies in which the town is involved or interested, and a sum to be raised for conducting the same. They can give directions for the exercise of their corporate powers, and make provisions and allow rewards for the destruction of noxious weeds; they may establish and maintain pounds, fix the compensation of fence viewers and col. lectors, (the latter being confined to between three and five per cent.) At such meetings, prudential rules and regulations may be made from time to time, for improving the lands held by the town, in its corporate capacity, and concerning the fences upon the same. The meeting also has power to make rules and regulations concerning the sufficiency of fences in the town, to determine the time and manner in which horses, cattle, and sheep may be permitted to go at large on highways, and to make rules concerning impounding animals. To all these rules, (except those that relate to the keeping and maintaining of fences,) penalties may be affixed by the meeting, but cannot exceed twelve dollars and fifty cents for each offence; and these are applied, when received, as is deemed by the meeting most conducive to the interest of the town. They may raise any money that may be necessary to defray any charges that exist against the overseers of the poor; and the electors of a town that is bound to support its poor, may at their annual meeting direct a sum to be raised sufficient for the support of the poor during the ensuing year. Electors are privileged from arrest on civil process, during town meeting days. QUESTIONS OF THE PRECEDING. Can you enumerate the corporate powers of a town? How often are town meetings held? Who can vote at town meetings? When are town officers elected? How is the number of assessors, constables, and pound-masters, de termined? Can town meetings direct monies to be raised for the support of common schools? How are the commencement and defence of suits in which the town is concerned, directed? Cannot you enumerate the other powers that may be exercised at town meetings? What amount of penalty can they affix for a violation of their rules? What are the privileges of electors during town meeting days? OF TOWN OFFICERS. These are a supervisor, a town clerk, assessors, a collector, overseers of the poor, commissioners of highways, commissioners of common schools, inspectors of common schools, constables, a town sealer, overseers of highways, pound masters, fence viewers, and commissioners of excise, board of auditors of town accounts, commissioners of deeds. OF THE SUPERVISOR. The supervisor is chosen annually by the electors of the town, and holds his office for one year, and until a successor is duly qualified. He is subject to a penalty of $50 for refusal to serve. Chief powers, &c. He receives and pays over the principal monies raised by the town for defraying town charges, and keeps a true account of all monies that come to his hands by virtue of his office, in a book, provided at the expense of the town-and which he delivers to his succesHe is one of the inspectors of elections, and is chairman of the board, and one of the board of auditors of town accounts. He prosecutes in proper form, for certain penalties given by law for the use of the town. sor. On Tuesday preceding town meeting, the supervisor's accounts are audited by the justices of the town, and town clerk, for the disbursement of all monies received by him in virtue of his office; at which time, the justices and clerk enter a certificate in his book of accounts, by which the state of them at the time of settlement is shown. It is his duty to attend the meetings of the board of supervisors of the county, to receive all accounts presented to him against his town, and to lay them before the board at their next meeting. It is also his duty to lay before the board such copies of entries concerning monies to be raised in his town, as shall be delivered to him by the town clerk; and whenever required by the surveyor general, to cause a survey to be made of the bounds of his town, and to transmit to him a map thereof. QUESTIONS ON THE PRECEDING. Can you enumerate the town officers? How is the supervisor chosen? What is his term of service? Suppose he will not take upon himself the duties of his office? What accounts does he keep? Of what boards is the supervisor a member? For what penalties does he prosecute? When, and by whom are the accounts of the supervisor audited? What sort of certificate is given ? Can you enumerate the duties of the supervisor? OF THE TOWN CLERK. The town clerk is chosen by the electors of the town, at their annual meeting, and holds his office for one year, and until a successor is duly qualified. He is subject to the same forfeiture as the supervisor, in case of refusal to serve. Chief powers and duties. He has the custody of all the books, records, and papers of his town, and he files all certificates of oaths, and other papers required by law to be filed in his office. Copies of all papers filed with him as clerk, and those filed with him as clerk of the commissioners of com. mon schools, and transcripts from the books of record, certified by him, are evidence in all courts, the same as if the originals were produced. He is one of the inspectors of elections for his town, clerk of town meetings, one of the board of auditors of town accounts, and clerk of the com missioners of common schools. It is his duty to transcribe in the book of records of the town, the minutes of the proceedings of every town meeting, and to enter in such book every order or direction, and all rules and regulations made at town meetings. He delivers to the supervisor before the annual meeting of the board of |