The Cairo Bulletin

ACTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MUDDLE
The uncertainty which has existed in regard to the status and duties of the boards of county commissioners elected in November last, in counties not under township organization, is about to be ended by the immediate action of the legislature. Understanding the necessity of such action, a meeting of senators and representatives from counties of the class named above, was held in Springfield, on Thursday, in representative hall. John H. Oberly, of Alexander county, was called to the chair. He stated the object of the meeting, and remarked that one of the revised statutes, as reported from the committee on revision, would, if passed, provide for the case. But, as this statute contains matters not connected with this subject, it is possible that some time may be lost in securing its passage, and as this is a desperate case, he recommended that a committee should be appointed to frame an emergency act which would affect this matter only, and which could be passed without delay.

The suggestion was approved, and a motion carried to that effect. The chair appointed a committee of five, consisting of Senators Brown, of Morgan, and Ferrall, of Hardin, and representatives Loomis, of Gallatin, Morrison of Marion, and Hite of Madison. The committee lost no time in preparing the bill, which was introduced in the House on Friday by the member from Alexander, and referred to the committee on county and township organization. The text of the bill is as follows:

Be it enacted, etc., That the board of county commissioners elected in pursuance of the provisions of section six of article ten of the constitution shall be the successors of the county courts in relation to all matters concerning county affairs, and the county board are hereby authorized and empowered to do any act in reference to county government and county business that the county courts have heretofore done in pursuance of law.

Sec. 2. Each member of the board of county commissioners shall be commissioned by the governor, and shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take the following oath, which shall be filed in the office of the county clerk "I do solemnly swear (or affirm as the case may be.) that I will support the constitution of the United States, and of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of commissioner of----county to the best of my ability."

Sec. 3. The county board shall hold regular sessions for the transaction of county business on the first Mondays of December, March, June and September, and the second Monday of July of each year, and at such other times as may be provided by law, and may hold special sessions on the call of the chairman or any two members of said board, when the business of the county requires it.

Sec. 4. At the first meeting of the board after the passage of this act the commissioners shall elect one of their number as chairman, who shall preside at their sessions, and perform such duties as are or may be prescribed by law, or by the order of said board: and said chairman shall hold the position until the first Monday in December next following, at which time, and annually thereafter, on that day, a chairman shall be chosen by said board.

Sec. 5. A majority of said board shall constitute a quorum to do business, and in the absence of the chairman, a chairman pro tem may be appointed.

Sec. 6. Such board shall have general supervision of all highways, roads and bridges in the county, including state roads.

Sec. 7. The chairman or any member of the board of county commissioners may administer oaths to any persons concerning any matter connected with the powers or duties of said board.

Sec. 8. The said county commissioners at their first meeting after the going into effect of this act (where the question has not already been settled as to who shall serve the long, middle and short term) shall proceed to determine the question in the manner following: The clerk of the county court shall prepare three ballots, upon one of them shall be written the words 'one year,' upon another of said ballots the words "two years," and upon the third the words "three years," and the said commissioners shall then draw, under the direction of the clerk, and the words upon the ballots drawn shall fix the length of the term that such commissioner shall hold his office. In counties where the said county commissioners have already settled the question by lot, as provided in section 6 of article 10 of the constitution, nothing herein contained shall be construed to invalidate such action.

Sec. 9 declares that an emergency exists which requires the law to take effect immediately upon its passage.