Chap. 110.—An ACT for the Government of Cities and Towns of five thou-
sand inhabitants and over.

Appeved May 25, 1870.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
in all cities and towns of this commonwealth containing a popu-
lation of five thousand inhabitants or over, there shall be
elected by the qualified voters thereof, on the fourth Thurs-
day in May, eighteen hundred and seventy, the following offi-
cers:

One clerk of the corporation or hustings court, who shall
hold his office for a term of six years, who shall also be the
clerk of the circuit court, except in cities or towns containing
a population of thirty thousand or more; in which city or town
there may be elected a separate clerk for the circuit court,
who shall hold his office for a term of six years.

One commonwealth’s attorney, who shall, be the common-
wealth’s attorney for the circuit court, and shall hold his office
for a‘term of two years.

One city sergeant, who shall hold his office for a term of
iwo years.
One city or town treasurer, whose duties shall be similar to
those of county treasurer, and shall hold his office for a term
of three years.

One commissioner of the revenue, for a term of two years,
whose duty it shall be, until otherwise provided by law, to
assess City or town property for city or town purposes.

One mayor, for a term of two years. |

A council, for a term of one year, and to consist of as many
members as there are councilmen or trustees in the respective
cities and towns under existing charters or acts of incorpora-
tion: provided, that the councilmen for each ward shall be
elected by the qualified voters of the said ward.

As many justices of the peace as by existing charters or acts
of incorporation are provided in each city or town, tq hold
office for a term of one year: and provided, that the justices
of each ward be chosen by the qualified voters of said ward.

2. All other officers shall be elected or appointed in the
several cities or towns as the charters or acts of incorporation
of the cities or towns now in force may prescribe: provided,
that in citics or towns for which provision is made in existing
charters or acts of incorporation for the office of register or
chamberlain, no such officer shall be elected or appointed; but
the duties heretofore devolving on such officer shall be per-
formed by the city treasurer: and provided also, that in cities
or towus for which provision is made in existing charters or
acts of incorporation for the office of assessor, no such officer
shall be elected or appointed; but the duties heretofore de-
volving on such officer shall be performed by the commissioner
of the revenue.

3. The said officers shall perform all the duties, have all the
powers, be liable to all the penalties, and be required to give
such security, as may be prescribed by the existing charters or
acts of incorporation, or ordinances of the said several cities
or towns, or by the general laws of the commonwealth. They
shall receive for their services such compensation as is now or
may hereafter be prescribed by law ;, or In case of city or town
officers, as may be provided by thé common councils of the
several cities or towns respectively.

4. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions
of this act are hereby repealed.

5. This act shall be in force from its passage.