There are certain wants which are felt alike by all the townships of a county; it is therefore natural that they should be satisfied by a central authority.
In the State of Massachusetts this authority is vested in the hands of several magistrates, who are appointed by the Governor of the State, with the advice *g of his council.

*h The officers of the county have only a limited and occasional authority, which is applicable to certain predetermined cases.

The State and the townships possess all the power requisite to conduct public business.

The budget of the county is drawn up by its officers, and is voted by the legislature, but there is no assembly which directly or indirectly represents the county.

It has, therefore, properly speaking, no political existence.
[Footnote f: See the Act of February 14, 1821, Laws of Massachusetts, vol.i.p.