The corporate authorities of any city or town so hiring convicts may appoint and remove at will all such necessary agents to superintend the construction or improvement of such highways and streets as they may deem proper, or to pay the costs and expenses incident to such hiring may levy taxes and raise money as in other respects. (1881, c. 127, s. 4; Code, s. 3452; Rev., s. 5413; C. S., s. 7761; 1925, c. 163; 1931, c. 145, s. 35.)