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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Democracy In America, Volume 1 by Alexis de Toqueville: divers town-officers, such as Township's Clerk, Trustees,
Overseers of the Poor, Fence Viewers, Appraisers of Property,
Township's Treasurer, Constables, Supervisors of Highways.]
We have seen that in Massachusetts the mainspring of public
administration lies in the township. It forms the common centre
of the interests and affections of the citizens. But this ceases
to be the case as we descend to States in which knowledge is less
generally diffused, and where the township consequently offers
fewer guarantees of a wise and active administration. As we
leave New England, therefore, we find that the importance of the
town is gradually transferred to the county, which becomes the
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