g definite school districts, which may or may
not include hamlets or village centers, but which must be at least two
miles from any town or city of five thousand or more inhabitants. It
gives such incorporated rural communities the general powers and
privileges of an incorporated village, except that they cannot lose
their identity as a part of the school and road systems of the county.
Taxes may be levied for various public purposes, but they must be voted
at an annual meeting at which a majority of the registered voters must
be present, or be submitted to an election, and the amount of taxes and
bonds are limited. Although about a dozen communities have incorporated
under this act, but few of them seem to be actively functioning, due to
various local causes. The act itself, however, is well conceived and is
worthy of study by those interested in better rural government.

Another method of accomplishing the same end is by a special act of
incorporation for a particular community, as was passed by the
Legislature of New Jersey for Plainsboro Township in 1919.

Concerning the organization of this community, Hon. Alva Agee, State
Secretary of Agriculture, writes:

"Every voter within its boundaries signed a petition to the
legislature for the creation of a new township embracing the
territory belonging to the community, and this was granted.
The community then met, made a declaration of its purposes
and adopted a constitution providing for control of all
township and community affairs. It is a return to direct
government by the people, and places responsibility upon
every individual. It is the old New England town-meeting
made effective. Patient study of every detail was given by
members of the community."[82]

The declaration of purposes and constitution[83] are so unique that they
should be studied by all interested in community government.

"A DECLARATION OF PURPOSES

"We, the residents of Plainsboro Township, New Jersey,
declare our purpose to accept all the duties of American
citizenship.

We are forming an association to secure all the benefits of
community life, and affirm the right of our community to
each one's best effort.

We support all individual rights just as far as their use
does not harm our fellows.

We agree that the public good is superior to any private
gain obtaine