Wards. For convenience the city is divided into wards, just as the county is divided into townships. For the purposes of elections, a polling place is located in each ward.

JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.

Police Court. The judicial department is vested in the police judge. The police court has a seal and is a court of record. It has original jurisdiction in cases of misdemeanors arising under the city ordinances, and concurrent jurisdiction with the justice of the peace in misdemeanor cases arising under the laws of the state, for acts committed within the corporate limits. In trials for the violation of city ordinances there can be no intervention of a jury. Any one convicted in the police court has the right of appeal to the circuit court.

Fines. It is the duty of the police judge to pay to the treasurer, some time within the first three days of the month, all the money he has received as penalties, fines, and forfeitures.

Police Department. The chief of police is at the head of this department. He appoints the policemen, has general supervision over them, and may discharge them for inefficiency or misconduct. He, in person, or by some policeman acting as his deputy, attends the sittings of the police court, and executes its orders.

Officers.

CITIES OF THE SECOND CLASS.

The officers of the city of the second class are mayor, marshal, recorder, treasurer, and aldermen,

-two from each ward. They are elected by the people, for two years.

Mayor. The mayor of the city of the second class, in addition to the ordinary duties that attach to the mayoralty office, is invested with judicial powers similar to those of the justice of the peace. It is well to notice that the executive and judicial departments are vested in one person.

Marshal. It is the duty of the marshal to execute the orders of the mayor, to suppress disturbances, and to arrest offenders of the law.

Treasurer and Recorder. These officers do what their titles indicate, and perform such other duties as the council may see fit to impose upon them.

Council. The council of the city of the second class has essentially the same duties and powers as that of the city of the first class.

Population. The population of the city of the second class must be between 2500 and 5000.

INCORPORATED TOWNS.

An incorporated town is any incorporated village or town whose population does not exceed 2500. When an incorporated town wishes to become a city of the second class, or a city of the second class wishes to become one of the first class, in addition to the attainment of the requisite number of inhabitants, there are certain legal steps that must be taken to consummate the change.

Officers. The elective officers of an incorporated town are the mayor, the recorder, and five aldermen.

Mayor. The mayor presides over the council meetings, conserves the peace, and like the mayor of the city of the second class, is invested with the powers of a justice of the peace.

Other Officers. The statutes permit the council to provide for the election of a marshal, a treasurer, and such subordinate offices as may be necessary for the good government of the town. Most incorporated towns have a marshal and a treasurer with their usual powers and duties.

Council. The duties and powers of the councils of incorporated towns are similar to those of the councils of cities, but not so extensive.

How Organized. The inhabitants of any territory not included in a municipal corporation, may petition the county court to incorporate a specified territory into a town. The petition must be signed by at least twenty qualified electors residing in said territory. Opportunity is given for any one who desires to do so, to show why the petition should not be granted. If in the opinion of the court there is no good and sufficient reason why such incorporation should not. be effected, the petition is granted, and then the inhabitants can organize the town and elect officers.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS IN GENERAL. It is a sad truth that a clean, honest, and economical municipal government is a rare thing in the United States, except, possibly, in some of the smaller cities. Our great cities are hotbeds of political corruption. About 47% of our population lives in cities, and our centers of population are rapidly becoming more and more congested. The question of municipal government is one of the most difficult and most important problems for solution at the present time.

Our municipal governments are modeled after that of London, which was practically perfected some six

hundred years ago. They are republics. In some the council consists of two bodies or houses, in others of one, as is true in Arkansas. Name your municipal

officers

CHAPTER VII.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Qualifications of Electors. A voter must be a male citizen of the United States, or one who has declared his intention of becoming one, twenty-one years of age, a resident of the state twelve months, of the county six months, and of the precinct or ward one month next preceding the election at which he proposes to vote. He must also have paid his poll tax.

Idiots and insane persons are not allowed to vote; neither are those convicted of felony unless they have received pardon at the hands of the governor.

Amendments. The General Assembly, by a majority vote of the members elected to each house, may propose an amendment to the constitution. Notice, by publication, is given in each county of the state, for six months before the next general election, at which election such amendment is voted upon. If a majority of the electors voting at such election adopt such amendment it becomes a part of the constitution. Not more than three amendments may be submitted at one election. Three amendments have been adopted. The first repudiates the "Holford bonds," the "levee bonds," and certain "railroad bonds." The second fixes the qualification of electors in this state. The third so

extends the appointive power of the governor as to abolish special elections.

Usury. All contracts for a greater rate of interest than 10% per annum are void both as to principal and interest. If no rate of interest is fixed, 6% obtains.

Militia. The militia of the state consists of the state guard and the reserved militia.

The state guard consists of such persons liable to military duty as voluntarily enroll and uniform themselves for service therein.

The reserve militia consists of such persons liable to military duty as have not voluntarily enrolled in the state guard.

All male residents of the state between the ages of eighteen and forty-five are liable to military duty, with the exception of officers of the state, ministers of the gospel, physicians, druggists, etc.

The state guard and reserved militia are organized in the same manner as the army of the United States, and are governed by the same rules and regulations. Volunteer companies may be organized, to the number of four in each county. The officers are a captain, a first lieutenant, a second lieutenant, and a third lieutenant.

The officers of the state militia are commissioned by the governor. The governor is commander in chief, and his private secretary performs the duties of the adjutant general, said office having been abolished by the General Assembly.

Election Law.

The elections are now conducted by the so-called "Australian Ballot System." The polling place is provided with booths, so that each voter,