Page:The Federal and state constitutions v5.djvu/311

Rh In each township there shall be biennially elected by the qualified voters thereof a Clerk and two Justices of the Peace, who shall constitute a Board of Trustees, and shall, under the supervision of the Counter Commissioners, have control of the taxes and finances, roads and bridges of the townships, as may be prescribed by law. The General Assembly may provide for the election of a large number of the Justices of the Peace in cities and towns and in those townships in which cities and towns are situated. In every township there shall also be biennially elected a School Committee, consisting of three persons, whose duties shall be prescribed by law.

The Township Board of Trustees shall assess the taxable property of their townships and make returns to the County Commissioners for revision, as may be prescribed by law. The Clerk shall be, ex officio, Treasurer of the township.

No county, city, town or other municipal corporation shall contract any debt, pledge its faith or loan its credit, nor shall any tax be levied or collected by any officers of the same except for the necessary expenses thereof, unless by a vote of the majority of the qualified voters therein.

No money shall be drawn from any county or township treasury except by authority of law.

All taxes levied by any county, city, town or township shall be uniform and ad valorem upon all property in the same, except property exempted by this Constitution.

The county officers first elected under the provisions of this Article shall enter upon their duties ten days after the approval of this Constitution by the Congress of the United States.

The Governor shall appoint a sufficient number of Justices of the Peace in each county, who shall hold their places until sections four, five and six of this Article shall have been carried into effect.

. All charters, ordinances and provisions relating to municipal corporations shall remain in force until legally changed, unless inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

No county, city, town or other municipal corporation shall assume to pay, nor shall any tax be levied or collected for the payment of any debt, or the interest upon any debt, contracted directly or indirectly in aid or support of the rebellion.

The General Assembly shall have full power by statute to modify, change or abrogate any and all of the provisions of this Article and substitute others in their place, except sections seven, nine and thirteen.

Corporations may be formed under general laws, but shall not be created by special act except for municipal purposes and in cases where, in the judgment of the Legislature, the object of the corporation cannot be attained under general laws. All general laws and special acts passed pursuant to this section may be altered from time to time or repealed.

Dues from corporations shall be secured by such individual liabilities of the corporations and other means as may be prescribed by law.