It could try criminal causes not involving the penalty of death or banishment, and civil causes in which the value at stake was less than forty shillings. It also had control over highways going from town to town; and it apportioned the county taxes among the several towns. The justices and sheriff were appointed by the governor, as in England by the king. QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT. 1. Why do we have counties in the United States? Contrast the popular reason with the historic. 2. What relation did the tribe hold to the clan among our ancestors? 3. In time what did the clans and the tribes severally become? 4. Show how old county names in England throw light on the county development. 5. Trace the growth of the English nation in accordance with the following outline:-- a. Each tribe and its leader, b. A powerful tribe and its leader. c. The relation of a little kingdom to the shire. d. The final union under one king. e. The relative ages of the shire and the nation. 6. Give an account (1) of the shire-mote, (2) of the two kinds of representation in it, (3) of its presiding officers, and (4) of its two kinds of duties. 7. Let the pupil make written analyses or outlines of the following topics, to be used by him in presenting the topics orally, or to be passed in to the teacher:-- a. What changes took place in the government of the shire after the Norman Conquest? b. Trace the development of the coroner's office. c. Give an account of the justices of the peace and the courts held by them. d. Show what applications the English settlers in Massachusetts made of their knowledge of the English county. Section 2. The Modern County in Massachusetts. The modern county system of Massachusetts may now be very briefly described. The county, like the town, is a corporation; it can hold property and sue or be sued. It builds the court-house and jail, and keeps them in repair. The town in which these buildings are placed is called, as in England, the shire town. [Sidenote: County commissioners.] In each county there are three commissioners, elected by the people. Their term of service is three years, and one goes out each year. These commissioners represent the county in law-suits, as the selectmen represent the town. They "apportion the county taxes among the towns;" "lay out, alter, and discontinue highways within the county;" "have charge of houses of correction;" and erect and keep in repair the county buildings.[6] [Footnote 6: Martin's _Civil Government_, p. 197.] [Sidenote: County treasurer.] The revenues of the county are derived partly from taxation and partly from the payment of fines and costs in the courts. These revenues are received and disbursed by the county treasurer, who is elected by the people for a term of three years.