tural commissioner, from a list of eligible persons recommended by the state board of horticultural examiners. This board consists of the state horticultural commissioner, the dean of the agricultural college at the state university, and the superintendent of the state insectory in Sacramento. When a request for a county commissioner is presented to the supervisors, the state board of horticultural examiners, after publishing the matter throughout the county for thirty days, holds an examination in the county. A list of those who pass the examination is then certified to the supervisors, who appoint the county horticultural commissioner from the list, to serve for four years. If no one passes the examination, the examiners must, after making inquiry throughout the county, name five competent persons" and from this number the supervisors must appoint the commissioner to serve for one year. The horticultural commissioner may divide the county into districts and appoint a local inspector for each district. He may also, with the approval of the supervisors, appoint a deputy commissioner from a list recommended by the state examiners. The salary of the commissioner is six dollars for every day that he gives to the public service. The deputy receives $5, and each inspector $3.50, per day. These county officers may be appointed state quarantine guardians by the state horticultural commissioner, thus becoming a part of the state horticultural system (§ 153). It is the duty of the horticultural commissioner and his assistants to eradicate noxious weeds and insect pests. They have power at any time to inspect any orchard, vineyard, nursery, packing house, storeroom, salesroom, or other premises; and if noxious weeds, dangerous insects, or plant diseases are found, it is their duty to order the owner or person in possession of the premises to destroy the nuisance. If he refuses or neglects to obey the order, the commissioner, or any of his appointees, must at once attend to the matter, but the expense of the work is charged as a lien against the property. The commissioner and his assistants may resort to any expedient that may be necessary to eradicate a dangerous disease, pest, or nuisance, even to the extent of destroying trees, vines, or plants. The commissioner must report annually to the state commissioner, giving a statement of his official acts, and showing the general condition of the horticultural interests of the county. He must also attend the annual meeting of the state association of county horticultural commissioners. The board of supervisors of any county may appoint a county board of forestry to consist of five members, one from each supervisorial district. The term of office is four years and the members serve without pay. The duty of the board is to "have exclusive charge and control of all shade and ornamental trees, hedges, lawns, shrubs, and flowers growing or to be grown upon the public roads, highways, grounds, and property in the county." No such trees or hedges may be planted, trimmed, or removed without the consent of the board, except that this does not apply to the trimming of fruit or nut trees now growing along the public highways. With the consent of the supervisors the board may appoint a county forester to act as its executive officer. His salary must not exceed $150 a month. 60. Duties of the Live Stock Inspector.1- The live stock inspector is appointed at the discretion of the supervisors to serve during the pleasure of the board, at a salary of $125 a month. "It is the duty of the live stock inspector, acting under the supervision of the state veterinarian (§ 154), to enforce all laws of the state of California, and all orders and ordinances of the board of supervisors of his county pertaining to the health and sanitary surroundings of all live stock in his county, and for that purpose he is hereby authorized and empowered, by and with the approval of the board of supervisors, to establish, maintain, 1 Political Code, § 4149 a. CIVIL GOV. IN CAL. — 7 and enforce such quarantine, sanitary, and other regulations as he may deem proper and necessary." -The fish 61. Duties of the Fish and Game Warden.1 and game warden is appointed at the discretion of the supervisors to serve for two years. His salary varies with the population of the county. It is his duty to enforce all state laws and county ordinances that pertain to the protection of fish and game. He has power to arrest any person who breaks any of these laws or ordinances. "He shall report quarterly to the board of supervisors giving a detailed statement of all the arrests made, convictions had, and fines collected, and a general statement in regard to the management of his office." 62. The Inspector of Apiaries. — If If ten property owners in any county who are interested in bee culture present a petition to the board of supervisors stating that "foul brood," or other disease, is present in the apiaries of the county, the board must appoint an inspector of apiaries. His salary is three dollars a day for the time he devotes to the duties of his office. He is appointed to serve during the pleasure of the board. His duty is to inspect all apiaries in the county and to see that they are free from disease. If he finds "foul brood," or other disease, in any apiary he orders the owner to eradicate the disease, either by proper treatment or by destroying the affected hives. If the owner fails to obey the order, the inspector must take such measures as may be necessary to render the apiary free from disease. He may destroy property if necessary. Any expense incurred by him in this work is borne by the county. 63. Conclusion.-The duties of the court commissioner, 1 Political Code, § 4149 c. court reporter, probation committee, and the probation officer and his assistants will be found in Chapter XV. When we consider the duties of public officers, it should be kept constantly in mind that government exists to satisfy public wants and advance public interests. How are the wants of the people of our counties legally determined? By the legislature, or by the people through the initiative. When they are determined by the legislature in general terms, the supervisors must supply the details. If the duties of our county officers are reviewed, it will be seen that some of them relate directly, and some indirectly, to the satisfaction of our public wants and the advancement of our public interests. The duties of the assessor, treasurer, tax collector, and auditor are indirect, as they have to do with collecting, safe-keeping, and accounting for the county funds. This work is very important, because without it the county government could not exist. The duties of the remaining officers relate directly to the active work of the government. They are engaged in running the governmental machine. The student should at this point review the duties of all county officers and should endeavor to see clearly behind each duty either a direct public want, or a necessary detail in the maintenance or supervision of the county government. QUESTIONS 1. What are the names of your county officers? 3. To what class does your county belong? (See Appendix C.) 4. How many superior judges are there in your county? 5. How many judicial townships are there in your county? How many road and school districts? In what judicial township do you live? 6. What is the present tax rate of your county? 7. If the county tax rate is 95o on the $100, how was this amount determined? If Mr. A's property is assessed at $1800, how much county tax will he pay? If he thinks that his property should not be assessed so high, what can be done about it? 8. If a man builds a bridge for a county, with what officers will he have to deal, and how will he be paid? 9. How many incorporated towns or cities are there in your county? (See the last California Blue Book.) 10. What is meant by the police power of the board of supervisors? II. If a landowner fails to pay the tax on his land, how long will it be before he loses it? What steps will be taken in the matter by the tax collector? 12. To what extent does the legislature, and to what extent do the supervisors, legislate for a county? 13. By what right does the horticultural commissioner, or the inspector of apiaries, destroy property in the discharge of his duty?1 By the authority conferred upon him by state law. This is in exercise of the general police power of the state. The state has unlimited power to protect its people and their property against nuisances, dangers, or pests of any kind. By this police power it may suppress any undesirable business, or it may regulate any of the activities of its people. It confers this power on boards of supervisors, city councils, and other state or local officers in as large measure in each case as may be necessary to safeguard the public interests. |