The sheriff is the oldest of the county offi cers; but he has lost much of the power and dignity of the English sheriff. He still retains some relics of former authority as chief con servator of the peace; but for the most part is now a ministerial officer of the judicial courts, to execute their warrants and decrees. The public prosecutor has now become one of the principal county officials in some of the States; and in counties containing large cities, such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Saint Louis, the importance of this office is more fully realized. In several cases it has been a stepping stone to the governorship of a State. The office of county treasurer is usually one of the most lucrative; and is important as the financial agent not only of county funds, but also as the collector of State revenues and sometimes also the revenues of local districts within the county.
Other elective county officials of less import ance are the county clerics, court clerks, record ers of deeds, auditors, assessors, school com missioners, surveyors and coroners. The titles of some of these officials vary in the different States. In the New England States there are comparatively few county officers; and in Rhode Island there are only two— the sheriff and clerk of court—both of whom are chosen by the general assembly. On the other hand, there are in some States additional elective officials, besides those named above; and in most of the States there are also a number of appointed officials, such as poor commissioners, road su perintendents and health officers.
County officers in the United States are usually elected for terms varying from two to six years. In the older States east of the Mis sissippi River, the terms of different officers often vary and overlap. West of the Mississippi most of the States have a uniform term of two years for county officers, and all terms expire at the same time.
In most counties the subordinate staff is small, and subject to change with 'the frequent changes of the elective officers. In the more populous counties, the number of deputies, clerks and other employees is larger and of more importance; but in most cases they remain under the patronage and spoils system. The merit system of civil service has been applied to some extent only in a number of the larger New York and New Jersey counties and a few isolated counties in other States.
There is some State administrative super vision over county school officers; and more recently in about half the States over the as sessment and collection of State revenues by county officials, and in a number of States over county road officers in the construction of State aid roads. But there is no effective State con trol over sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys; and no general system of State supervision.
There can be no doubt that county govern ment in the United States lacks systematic organization, and that there are too many elec tive offices. The numerous list of positions and the slight importance of many of them makes impossible any real knowledge or discussion on the part of the voters of the merits and demerits of candidates. Elections, especially in the more populous counties, are usually determined by the success of one party ticket, and the effective choice is thus made in selecting the party can didates. This has tended to strengthen the influence of party machines and bosses; and in many cases county offices have been filled by politicians of the lower types. In rural coun
ties a popular candidate may more often secure his election on personal grounds; and there have been some important cases of successful independent candidates in populous counties. But as a rule, comparatively little public atten tion is paid to the election of county officials. The short terms promote frequent changes and prevent efficient management in the offices, many of which are purely administrative and with no political functions. At the same time the duties of the county officials are of no little importance; and as their importance is steadily increasing, there is little serious need for de cided changes in the organization of the county administration.
During the last few years there has been increased attention to the county government, especially in States containing large cities; and proposals for important changes in organization have been urged, notably in New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California. In the latter State several counties have adopted home rule charters making important changes. Under the Los Angeles County charter, the only elective officers are the supervisors, sheriff, district at torney and justices of the peace. Other county officers are appointed by the supervisors and constables are appointed by the sheriff, all from civil service lists.
To The county in the United States has developed from, the English county, but the organization of the county tion has been thoroughly decentralized and in fact disorganized by the radical extension of popular elections for all classes of officials. Most of the 3,000 counties are smaller in size and social importance than the principal districts of local administration in European countries; and the field for administrative action is neces sarily less important in some respects. But the decentralized system of State administration adds to the number of locally elected and ap pointed officials in the counties. The adminis tration of justice, roads and bridges and poor relief are the principal branches of county ad ministration; while there is some county super vision of public instruction in most States, and the county is the main local unit for school pur poses in some of the Southern and far Western States.
The principal county authority is the locally elected county board, organized in various ways, with administrative and taxing powers, but with little local legislative authority. Among the numerous other elective officials are the sheriff, prosecuting attorney and treasurer; but there is no clearly defined chief executive, and the county administration should be more syste matically organized to meet the increasing im portance of the functions exercised. There should also be more effective State supervision over the county officials who act primarily as agents for the enforcement of general State laws. Many counties are too small in area; and in the larger States there is need for local districts larger than the county.
Fairlie , John A. 'Local Government in Counties, towns and Villages' (Chaps. 4-7) ; Annals American Academy of Social and Political Science (May 1913) ; American Political Science Association Pro ceedings (1911, pp. 61-121, 1913,pp. 281-291) ; Publications of the Short Ballot Organization; United States Census Reports on Wealth, Debt and Taxation; Gilberton, H. S., The County.'