How is the governor chosen?

By the direct vote of the people.

How are the members of the State legislature chosen? By the direct vote of the people.

You should read the provisions of your own State constitution to learn the terms for which these officers are elected.

What are the State courts of justice?

The third division of the State Government is the judicial, composed of the various courts of justice. The duty of the courts is to explain the laws, to impose penalties upon lawbreakers, and to administer justice.

There are usually three classes of courts.

(1) Justices' courts in every community, presided over by justices of the peace. In cities, courts of this kind are called police courts. Here disputes over property, or contracts involving only small amounts of money, are settled. These are the lowest courts. From their decisions appeal may usually be made by dissatisfied parties to the higher State courts.

(2) Courts of the next higher grade are designated by different titles in the various States. Their sessions are held first in one county and then in another until the judge has completed the circuit of the counties in his district. In these courts, trial by jury may always be obtained. In large cities, there are also criminal courts, to relieve the district courts of work of certain classes.

1

In some States there are county courts for the settlement of estates, the care of orphans, etc.

(3) The third and highest State court is the Supreme Court,

1 The system of trial by jury grew up under English law, and is guaranteed our citizens by the Constitution of the United States. It consists in submitting the facts in a case at law to a certain number of men (usually 12) selected according to law. They weigh the evidence, under the superintendence of a judge; and their “verdict” decides the case. The system has been adopted only partially in the countries of continental Europe.

which consists of from three to nine judges, whereas only one judge presides over each of the courts of the two lower grades. Cases of the greatest importance may be carried to the Supreme Court for final decision. This court also has the power of deciding whether the laws passed by the State legislature are in accord with the State constitution. The State constitution is the supreme law of the State, and any law not in accord with it must be declared null and void.

How are the judges of the courts chosen?

Under the constitutions of the thirteen original States, the judges were appointed either by the governor or the legislature. Most of the States formed in later years, however, provided in their constitutions for the election of their judges by the people, since this was considered a more democratic method.

In most States the judges of the two lower grades of courts are elected by the voters in the various local communities. Supreme Court judges are elected by the voters of the entire State. You should read the provisions of your own State constitution to learn the details of the terms for which judges are elected, etc.

No officers in our Government are more important than the judges, for the courts have the final decision upon all questions of individual rights. Citizens must feel that they can obtain justice in the courts. Therefore, they should be sure to vote for men who will be impartial, fearless, and upright judges. Men should not be made judges because they belong to a certain political party. The business of the courts is justice, not politics.

How is the territory of a State subdivided?

Into towns and cities. All the area within a State's boundaries is under the local government of some town or city. Neighboring towns and cities are themselves grouped under an intermediate subdivision of the State called the county. A large city, like New

York or Chicago, may occupy the whole of a county or even more than one county. (Refer to map opposite page 38.)

What is the purpose of the counties?

Counties are subdivisions of the State, created by act of the Legislature. The purpose is to make easier the administration of justice, and other business of the State.

In the older States - Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, for example and in States, as in the Northwest, originally settled by emigrants from these older sections, the county exists for little more than the administration of justice.

Throughout the Southern States the county is the unit of political organization, but the counties are now tending to break up into smaller divisions for some purposes of local government.

Throughout the West there is a mixed type of organization: sometimes the township, and sometimes the county form. Here there is a tendency to have many local affairs administered by the county. You should refer to your own State constitution for the details of local government in your particular part of the country. County government is constantly changing, because of the varying conditions of community life.

What are the principal officers of a county?

(1) The sheriff, who preserves peace and order under direction of the courts.

(2) The county commissioners, who look after roads, bridges, jails, etc.

(3) The county courts, of probate, chancery, etc.

How are the county officers elected?

By the direct vote of the people.

27. Examination questions upon local government.1

What are some of the citizen's duties in local affairs?

Every American should know what the community does for the citizen. He should know what services the citizen is expected to render to the community.

He should serve the community in these ways: obey the laws and 1 Teachers should read the explanation and suggestions regarding examination questions on page 27.