Education.—­Public education is among the most important of the local government’s functions.  The free schools which exist everywhere in our country are supported and controlled chiefly by the towns, villages, and cities.  In many States, however, there are other divisions, called school districts, which have boards and officers for this purpose.

Other Necessary Functions.—­Protection from fire is so important in communities where population is dense that special officers and apparatus must be provided.  So, too, streets must be lighted, and a pure water-supply provided.

Parks, Museums, and Libraries.—­Besides the functions of government that are readily seen to be necessary, there are others which may not at first appear to be so.  We have cities providing parks, with beautiful lawns and flower-gardens; museums, where articles of historical and scientific interest are kept; aquariums and zoological gardens; libraries, with books, magazines, and papers for the free use of all citizens.  If one looks closely, he will see a reason in each case why the government undertakes these various enterprises.

Why Taxes Are Levied.—­We have now to consider a power of government, without which none of the others so far named could be exercised.  This is the taxing power.  In every case money must be used by local governments in exercising their functions.  Officers, who are agents of the people, depend largely upon taxes for their salaries.  Taxes are levied by the legislative bodies that we have found in towns, villages, and cities.  Other officers, assessors and treasurers, determine the amount to be paid by each citizen and collect the taxes.  The treasurer also has charge of public money, and pays it out when ordered to do so by the proper authorities.

All of the operations of government are matters of record.  While each officer is expected to keep strict account of the operations of his own department, the general records of towns, villages, and cities are kept by the clerks.

This general view of local governments may now be summarized in two forms:—­

I. THE FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

1. Protection:—­

The preservation of order. 
Protection against fire. 
Protection of public health.

2. Providing Necessities and Conveniences:—­

Roads—­Streets—­Sidewalks. 
Water—­Lights—­Sewers. 
Poor relief—­Education. 
Parks—­Libraries—­Museums.

II.  OFFICERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.[1]

TOWN.  VILLAGE.  CITY.

Board Board Council
Chairman President Mayor
Clerk Clerk Clerk
Treasurer Treasurer Treasurer
Assessors Assessors Assessors
Constables Constables Police
Road Commissioner Street Commissioner Street Commissioner
Justices Justices Justices