Beginning Of A New Era County Commissioners Named
A law was enacted by the General Assembly on December 13, 1871, which established a three-man board of commissioners for Liberty County. Selection of the commissioners was left up to John B. Mallard, the county ordinary. He appointed John W. Smith and James M. Smith, brothers, and Reverend Floyd Snelson, to serve on the board until a regular county election was held.
The Inferior Court, up to 1872, governed the county in most matters. The new law specified that the board of commissioners would hold and control all property belonging to the county, levy general and specific taxes for county purposes, award contracts to build bridges, roads, and other public works, and establish, change, or abolish election precincts and militia districts.