people annually, and a comptroller of public accounts is appointed annually by the general assembly. The annual election for state officers is held on the first Monday in April. All The judicial power of the state is vested in a supreme court of errors, consisting of a chief judge and four associate judges; a superior court of judicature held twice a year in each county by one of the judges of the supreme court; a county court held by a judge, called chief judge, and two associates; and courts held by justices of the peace. judges and justices of the peace, are appointed by the general assembly. Judges of the supreme and superior courts hold their offices during good behavior; other judges and justices of the peace are appointed annually. All become disqualified at the age of seventy years. Every white male citizen of the United States of the age of twenty-one years, who has gained a settlement in this state, and resided in the town in which he may offer himself to be admitted to the privilege of an elector, at least six months preceding, is an elector, if he has either of the following qualifications: a freehold estate of the yearly value of seven dollars, in this state; having been enrolled in the militia and performed military duty for one year preceding, or being liable, has been excused by law; or has paid a state tax within the year preceding, and sustains a good moral character. Such citizen, on taking the freeman's oath, bccomes an elector. NOTES ON THE GOVERNMENT OF VERMONT. The following Notes are supplementary to the Chapters of corresponding numbers in the body of this work. CHAPTER VIII. EVERY man of the age of twenty-one years, who has resided in the state for one whole year next before the election of representatives, and is of quiet and peaceable behavior, may vote at elections. CHAPTER IX. THE annual state election is notified by the first constable; if he is absent, by the town clerk; and if he is absent, then by one of the selectmen. The first constable, or in his absence one of the selectmen presides at the meeting, and receives the ballots. The town clerk, or if he is absent, a selectman, makes a roll of the names of the voters, which is kept by the town clerk in his office; and the election of the representative is certified by the presiding officer. The manner in which the votes for senators are canvassed is described in the Constitution. (See Art. 5, of Amendments.) A statement of votes given for each person for governor, lieutenant-governor, and treasurer, is sent from each town by the representative to the general assembly, where they are sorted and counted, and the result declared by a committee appointed by the senate and house of representatives. (See Art. 9, of Amendments.) Senators are elected by plurality, other officers by majority. If a governor is not elected by the people, the general assembly elect from the persons voted for. Town meetings for the election of town officers. (See Note to Chapter XVII.) CHAPTER X. EVERY elector is eligible to the office of representative A representative must have resided in the state two years; the last in the town for which he is chosen. Senators must be thirty years of age. CHAPTER XI. A MAJORITY of each house constitutes a quorum. CHAPTER XII. THE lieutenant-governor is president of the senate. In Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio, bills are not sent to the governor for his approval. CHAPTER XIV. THE treasurer is elected annually by the people. He gives a bond of $100,000 to the secretary of state, to be approved by the governor. He pays out moneys on orders of the auditor of accounts, and judges of the courts; and settles annually with the auditor of the treasury. The secretary of state records all acts, laws, and resolutions passed by the general assembly; all grants of land, charters of incorporation, and other documents required to be recorded. He or his deputy must attend the sessions of the legislature. He keeps the seal of the state. Is appointed by the legislature. The business of a state auditor or comptroller in most states, is in this state divided between the auditor of accounts and auditor of the treasury. The latter reports annually to the governor. Both appointed by the legislature. CHAPTER XVI. The judges of county courts have the general care and superintendence of all county property; have power to take land by deed to the county, and sell and convey lands belonging to the county, order repairs, &c. The sheriff has particular care and direction of the jail and jail houses; is elected annually by joint assembly of senate and house. High bailiff is elected in the same manner; serves all writs in which the sheriff is a party. State's attorney is appointed by the general assembly. Vacancies in the office are supplied by the county court. His bond is $4,000. County clerk; appointed by county court; is clerk of all courts held in the county. Bond, $3,000. County treasurer is appointed annually by the county judges. Bond, $5,000. The judges also appoint an auditor to audit and settle the accounts of the county treasurer. He reports to the judges. Inquests are in this state held by justices of the peace. Deeds are recorded in the town clerk's office; for the want thereof, in the county clerk's office. CHAPTER XVII. Town meetings are held in March; notified by selectmen by posting notices; called to order by the town clerk; if the clerk is absent, then by a selectman. A moderator is chosen to preside at the meeting. The following officers are elected: A town clerk. Three, four, or five selectmen, who have the general supervision of the concerns of the town; lay out highways, make out tax bills; adjust and settle accounts against the town; and present to the annual meeting a statement of the property, finances, and pecuniary condition of the town. A town treasurer, who keeps an account of all moneys, bonds, notes, &c., delivered him for the use of the town; ard pays all orders of the selectman or overseer of the poor. An overseer of the poor, whose duties are elsewhere described. (See Note to Chapter XXII.) A first constable, who is collector of taxes; and if necessary, a second constable, whose general duties have been described Three, four, or five assessors or listers, to take the valuation of property, and assess taxes. (See Note to Chap. XIX.) Three auditors; who examine and adjust the accounts of the town treasurer and overseer of the poor. They report to the town at annual meetings. Fence viewers. (See Note to Chap. XXIII.) One or more grand jurors. They inquire into and make presentment to a justice of all offences committed in town, and which come to their knowledge. He subjoins to his complaint the names of witnesses in support of the prosecution. A sealer of weights and measu! es. ter XXIV.) One or more inspectors of leather. (See Note to Chap A pound keeper. (Note to Chapter XXIV.) Surveyors of highways. The town is divided into districts by selectmen; who have power to assess a tax of 18 cents on every dollar of the list of such town, to be paid in labor and laid out for the support of highways and bridges. An agent to prosecute and defend suits in which the town is interested. CHAPTER XVIII. There is in this state a general law for incorporating villa. ges. When a majority of the legal voters in a village con. taining twenty houses or more, shall, by petition in writing, request the selectmen, the selectmen establish the bounds of the vil ge, and cause a description of the village by its name and ounds to be recorded in the town clerk's office. The inhabitants may then elect their officers, and exercise the powers of a corporation. CHAPTER XIX. The listers or assessors of the several towns take a list of the polls, and of the property of the inhabitants of the state. |