Superintendent of Schools.—­Not every one is competent to teach, and to protect the children as far as possible from having their time worse than wasted by incompetent would-be teachers, is the very responsible duty of the county superintendent of schools.  From among those who present themselves as candidates he selects by a careful examination those whom he deems most competent, and gives to each a certificate of qualification.  He visits the schools and counsels with the teachers regarding methods of instruction and management.  It is his duty also to hold teacher’s meetings.  He reports annually to the state superintendent of public instruction such facts as the superintendent calls for.

County Attorney.—­Like railroads and other corporations, the county keeps a regularly employed attorney to act for it in all suits at law.  This officer is called the county attorney.  He represents the state in all criminal prosecutions and is for this reason sometimes called the state’s attorney.

Sheriff.—­An ancient officer of the county is the sheriff.  He has three principal lines of duty:  1.  To preserve the peace within the county. 2.  To attend court. 3.  To serve processes.  He pursues criminals and commits them to jail.  He has charge of the county jail and is responsible for the custody of the prisoners confined in it.  He opens and closes each session of the district court, and during the term has charge of the witnesses, the juries, and the prisoners.  It is his duty to carry into execution the sentence of the court.  He serves writs and processes not only for the district court, but also for justices of the peace and court commissioners.

Coroner.—­Another officer of the county, ancient almost as the sheriff, is the coroner.  If the dead body of a human being is found under circumstances which warrant the suspicion that the deceased came to his death by violence, it is the coroner’s duty to investigate the matter and ascertain if possible the cause of the death.  He is aided by a jury summoned by him for the purpose.

At a time in early English history when the only county officers were the sheriff and the coroner, the coroner acted as sheriff when the latter was for any reason incapacitated.  And the practice still continues.  Thus, if there is a vacancy in the office of sheriff, the coroner acts till a new sheriff is chosen.  And in most states the coroner is the only officer who can serve process upon the sheriff or who can arrest him.

Clerk of the Court.—­The district court [Footnote:  See next chapter.] is a “court of record.”  That is, it has a seal and a special officer to record its proceedings.  He is called the clerk of the court.  He of course also files and preserves the papers in each case.  He has also certain incidental duties.

Court Commissioner.—­Court is not always in session, and there are certain powers possessed by a judge “in chambers,” that is, which the judge may exercise out of court.  For instance, he may grant a writ of attachment or of habeas corpus.  Where a judicial district comprises several counties, as is usually the case, a provision is made in some states for an officer in each county authorized to perform such duties in the absence of the judge.  In Minnesota and most other states he is called the court commissioner.