Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-09
THE COUNTY SYSTEM
 SHOULD BE ABOLISHED
Is the Opinion of Albert Mcclellan Mathewson on Matter of State Wide Interest

The County System of Connecticut has been the topic of much discussion
 of late throughout the state. In an article prepared by Albert Mcclellan Mathewson of New Haven, formerly
 of Windham county, he throws consfd-
 erable light on the origin of the sys-
 tenn, which dates back to 1666, and of its development since that time. The
 early part of the article is devoted to
 history of the system, beginning
 with the division of the state into four
 counties, called Hartford, New London,
 New Haven and Fairfield. in each of
 which county courts were established
 with stated sessions. Windham coun- ty was established in 1726, Litchfield
 in 1751. and Middlesex and Holland in
 17S5.
 The early purpose for the formation of these counties was to provide cen
 ters for the holding of courts and to
 compel these centers to provide and
 maintain a goal and building in
 which the sessions of the county court
 could be held.
 In regard to the appointment of
 county commissioners and their duties
 the article says:
 In 1888 all the business of the coun- ty was placed in the hands of one judge and two commissioners and in 1S41 the work of the court and the by law which provided that one judge should exercise all the functions or the court and that three Commis- sloners should be appointed by the general assembly who should attend to the business of the county But as this office had hitherto been semi i-ju- dlcial, many of the requirements of the office were retained and the county commissioners became and are to a great extent a judicial body. A curious provision of this law gave the county commissioners power to ap- point the keeper of the jail, residing in house belonging to the county, an inn keeper.
 to the present time the statutes have provided that he couny commission CTS should be appointed by the Gen. eral assembly, but a custom has grown up which is novel and contrary to the practice followed in the consideration of any other appointment in the state. The appointment for this office orig mates 1n @ secret political caucus of the county members of the legislature in each political party and when this ounty caucus has made it's nonina- tion, though it may represent mi nority of the county representatives from the particular county, the reso- luion is introduced into the Legisla- ture and without an opportunity for a hearing on the part of the public, it is put upon it's passage and the domin- ant party invariably elects it's full board of commissioners. Until a few was allowed, but custom has changed that, and for several years only mem berS of the dominant party are elect ed county commissioners.
 The county commissioners are ap- pointed for a term of four years and in the County of New Haven each re- ceives a salary of $1,S00, and in other counties definite salaries, together with certain fees. In addition to the granting of licenses the county con- have control of all county property and the purchase of supplies for the court house, jail and county home. They have the appointment of CTS for the county court house. They are a majority on the board of man agement of the board of management of the county home. They may re- quire all convicts at the county ail to work and they have charge of the work which is done. They receive from the state a certain amount for the right to refuse to approve most of the appointments and can discharge any of his officers or employees at the jail except the deputy jailor. They have the appointment of the prosecuting agent who is given power to inquire laws relating to the sale of liquors, which would include the prosecution of ciolations committed by persons who are licensed to sell by these coun- ty commissioners, and the prosecutor fees for all cases in which warrants, whether they are successful or not.
 County Sheriffs.
 Closely connected with, and part of the county system is the county sher- LR In tho early colonial history. the