6. _To make justice cheap and accessible._ It is well in many ways, as we
have seen, to have in every town, village, and city, courts of limited
jurisdiction. But to _establish justice_ in any generous or satisfying
sense there should be within the reach of every citizen a court competent
to try _any_ difference between individuals regardless of the amount in
controversy, and able to punish any crime against the laws of the state.
To bring such a court within the reach of every one was the original
reason for the establishment of the county, and remains today the greatest
advantage derived from its existence.

Establishment.--Counties are established by the state legislature.

In thinly settled parts of a state the counties are much larger than in
the populous parts. A county should be large enough to make its
administration economical, and yet small enough to bring its seat of
justice within easy reach of every one within its boundaries. In the ideal
county a person living in any part thereof can go to the county seat by
team, have several hours for business, and return home the same day.

County Board.--The administration of county affairs is in the hands of the
county commissioners or supervisors. This board is usually constructed on
one of two plans: Either it consists of three or five members, the county
being divided into commissioner districts; or else it is constituted of
the chairmen or other member of each of the several town boards. The
former plan prevails in Minnesota, Iowa, and other states; the latter in
Wisconsin, Michigan, most of Illinois, and in other states.

The commissioners have charge of county roads and bridges, county
buildings and other county property, and the care of the county poor.
Through the commissioners the county exercises the usual corporate powers.