Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1899 — The Township Councils. [ARTICLE]

The Township Councils.

The new township government law, providing for a township advisory board, says that at the next session of the circuit court after the taking effect of the law, the judge shall appoint the advisory boards for the various townships in the county. Now it has been given out by the secretary of state that the new laws will be published and put in force about May Ist. The present term of our circuit court extends to May 6th, and if the laws are in effect before that day, Judge Thompson will appoint the boards for the various townships of the county. In doing this, we believe be will be complying with the meaning and intent of the law, although perhaps not with its strict letter, for a term of court nearly ended when the law takes effect, can hardly, in strictness, be considered the “next term after the law takes effect.” Unless the laws do take effect, and the Judge construes the law so as to empower him to appoint before the end of the present term, then it will be necessary to call upon the governor to appoint the advisory boards, which will be an inconvenient method, both for governor and the people. The advisory boards are to consist of the three members, and the first, or appointed boards, must represent more than one political party. Presumably in this county the boards will all consist of two Republicans and one Democrat. Judge Thompson asks for advice as to whom he shall appoint, and we suggest that the people of the different townships at once advise with each other as to whom they shall recommend for the boards, and communicate their wishes to the judge Jor his guidance, if he gets to make the appointments, or in case he does not, then to the governor.