Governor may remove any officer, in this section mentioned, within the term for which he shall have been elected; giving to such officer a copy of the charges against him, and an opportunity of being heard in his defense. (Art. X., Sec. 1.)

The Sheriff is the chief executive officer of the county, just as the shire-reeve was of the Saxon shire; but unlike the executive head of the state or nation, he has no control over the county legislature. He is the peace officer of the county, charged with the preservation of order, the prevention of crime and the apprehension of criminals. To suppress a riot he has authority to call out and compel the assistance of the posse comitatus (the power of the county), consisting of all the able-bodied male inhabitants over fifteen years of age. He has custody of persons under arrest and those convicted of crimes, and is charged with executing judicial sentences and orders as well as enforcing the laws of the state and local laws passed by the board of supervisors. He assists the county clerk in the selection of jurors and also attends the courts of record held in the county, compels obedience to their orders and usually serves legal papers in civil suits between private parties. To assist him in the performance of his duties the Sheriff appoints an Under-Sheriff, and also a number of Deputy Sheriffs. The Sheriff was formerly paid by fees allowed him by statute; but now in many counties he receives a fixed salary, and the fees which he collects belong to the county.

The County Clerk has charge of the public records of the county. Deeds, mortgages, wills and other documents affecting the title to real estate are recorded in his office; while judgments and other papers of like nature,

which are subjects of public reference, are filed with him. The County Clerk is the clerk of the County Court, and of the Supreme Court when it holds a term in the county. He also draws from the proper lists the grand and petit jurors for terms of the court held in the the county; but in the more populous counties this duty is performed by an officer termed the Commissioner of Jurors. His compensation was formerly from fees fixed by law; but to-day in many counties the office is a salaried one, and the fees go to the county.

The County Treasurer is the custodian of the moneys collected by taxation in the towns and wards of the county for state and county purposes. He issues licenses for the sale of intoxicants upon payment to him of the fees fixed by law, and also collects charges upon estates of dead persons. He pays out county moneys in accordance with the resolutions of the board of supervisors. The County Treasurer receives from the State and distributes to the towns the school moneys for the county, and money paid into court is placed in his hands and is paid out on a court order. In some instances he receives a percentage from the funds which come into his hands, but generally he is paid a salary.

The District Attorney is the law officer of the State in the county. It is his duty to prosecute persons indicted for crime committed in the county, to present evidence to the grand jury and to act as the adviser of the board of supervisors. In the latter capacity he is a county officer, but in the other two he acts for the State. He is paid a fixed salary by the board of supervisors.

The Superintendent (or Superintendents) of the Poor is

in some counties elected by the voters of the county, and in others appointed by the board of supervisors. He has charge of the poorhouse of the county and control of its inmates. He also expends and accounts for the moneys voted by the board of supervisors for the support of the institution, and renders a report annually to the State Board of Charities, and furnishes to the board of supervisors a statement of the charges against the different towns for the maintenance of their poor. He is paid a salary fixed by the board of supervisors.

3. JUDICIAL BRANCH.

The Judicial Officers of a county are the County Judge and the Surrogate, each of whom are elected for six years, and four Coroners, elected for three years. The duties of these officers have been discussed before. (See pages 60-66.) The salary of the County Judge is determined by the legislature, and that of the Surrogate by the board of supervisors. The Coroners receive their compensation in fees fixed by statute.

Corporate Character.--As a county and a town are not sovereign, but are created by and derive all their rights from the legislature of the State, they are public corporations, and as such can be sued as other corporations for failure to perform their obligations.

TOWN GOVERNMENT.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES.

To elect town officers; raise and appropriate money.

2 years $2 per diem To manage finances. (To represent town in County Legislature.)

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To care for and keep town records.
To collect taxes.

To value property for taxation.

To take charge of roads, bridges, etc.

To appoint Path-masters.

To care for the poor.

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Fence Viewers.

To make arrests, serve papers and execute orders of Justices' Court.
To audit accounts and claims.

To try minor criminal and civil actions.