DUTIES OF COUNTY OFFICERS. 43 III. Attends generally to the settlement of the estates of deceased persons. IV. COUNTY CLERK. I. He is the clerk of the courts held in and for thecounty, namely: Circuit, Oyer and Terminer, County Court and Court of Sessions, and the Special Term. II. Administers the oath to jurors and witnesses. III. Records the judgments of the courts. IV. Draws the grand and petit juries, and makes a return of the same. V. Records mortgages, deeds, satisfaction papers, etc. V. TREASURER. I. Receives the moneys collected by the several town collectors for county and State taxes. II. Pays over to the comptroller the amount going to the State. III. Pays out the amount due the county, as directed by law. IV. Receives from the comptroller the school money due the county, and pays the same over to the several supervisors, as directed by the school commissioner's certificate. V. Makes a general statement of the financial affairsof his office to the board of supervisors, annually. VI. DISTRICT ATTORNEY. I. He is the attorney for the county. II. Presents complaints made to him, accusing parties of crime, to the grand jury. III. Draws "bills of indictment" when found by the grand jury. IV. Tries indicted parties in the Oyer and Terminer, and Court of Sessions. VII. CORONERS. I. Look after and inquire into all matters concerning persons slain, or who have died mysteriously. II. Summon a jury, subpoena witnesses, and ascertain as far as possible all the facts in regard to the death. III. In case of a vacancy in the office of sheriff, and there being no under-sheriff, one of the coroners designated by the county judge, performs the duties of sheriff until said vacancy be filled by election or appointment. V. Have power to arrest the sheriff upon criminal processes. VIII. SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE POOR. Have the general care of the county house; appoint persons to take charge of the same, and render an account annually to the "board of supervisors" of their doings. IX. JUSTICES OF SESSIONS. I. Sit upon the bench with the county judge in the Court of Sessions for the trial of such persons as have been indicted by a grand jury. II. The law gives them just as much power in the decision of questions as the judge. X. SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. I. Apportion the school moneys among the several districts in the county. II. Make an annual report to the superintendent of public instruction, containing all the statistics embraced in the several reports from the trustees of their districts. SALARIES OF COUNTY OFFICERS. 45 III. Visit and examine all the schools and school districts within their districts as often in each year as shall be practicable; inquire into all matters relating to the management, the course of study and mode of instruction, the text books used and the discipline of such schools. IV. Examine persons proposing to teach public schools in their districts, in regard to their "moral character," "learning," and "ability to teach," and if they find them qualified, grant them certificates in the form prescribed by the superintendent. V. Form new districts, or change the boundary lines of old ones. VI. Organize at least once each year, or in concert with one or more commissioners in the same county, a "teachers institute," and induce, if possible, all the teachers in their districts to be present and take part in its exercises. SALARIES. What are the Salaries of each of these officers, or how paid? I. SHERIFF. I. Receives a fee on all papers served. II. Receives a per cent on money collected on executions, and "Key fees" for prisoners. II. JUDGE. Receives a salary established by the legislature, varying in different counties according to population and business. See pages xii and 41. III. SURROGATE. I. Receives a salary, varying in different counties according to business. See pages xii and 41. NOTE.-When the judge performs the duties of surrogate, the one salary :suffices for all the duties performed. II. The surrogate is entitled to a clerk. IV. COUNTY CLERK. I. Receives a fee for all papers recorded. II. Receives a fee for administering oaths in court. III. Is paid extra for copying or re-indexing old records. V. TREASURER. I. The county treasurer receives an annual salary fixed by the "board of supervisors." II. The salary is established at least six months before his election. III. The salary cannot be increased or diminished during his term of office. VI. DISTRICT ATTORNEY. I. Receives a salary fixed by the board of supervisors, when they resolve so to do. II. Can try civil causes, when not engaged officially, receiving as his own the fees for the same. VII. CORONERS. I. For holding inquests they are entitled to a reasonable compensation, to be audited and allowed by the board of supervisors. II. For performing sheriff's duties, they are entitled to same fees as sheriff. VIII. SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE POOR. Paid by the day, or a salary. IX. JUSTICES OF SESSIONS. $3.00 a day. OATH OF OFFICE. X. SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. 47 I. A salary of $1,000 a year, established by law. II. Supervisors are required to audit and allow $200 extra for expenses. III. A majority of the supervisors of any school commissioner district may increase the salary of said school commissioner. Such increased salary must be levied upon the towns composing such commissioner district. OATH OF OFFICE. What must county officers do, before entering upon the duties of their office? Take the oath prescribed by State Constitution in Art. XII, Sec. I, page 201. What county officers are required in addition to the oath prescribed to execute a bond for the faithful performance of their duties? Sheriff, county treasurer, surrogate and county superintendents of the poor. Who administers the "oath of office" to the county officers? In case of the re-election of the county clerk, before whom can he qualify? The county judge. Where are these oaths of office and bonds recorded? Who is the sheriff of this county? Who is the present judge; and what is his salary? |