Town

In General. The word "town" sometimes indicates a division of the county next smaller in extent than the county itself. It is also often used to denote a small city or village.

125 Ga. 559; 54 S. E. 539.

The word may be and frequently is used as meaning "township" and vice versa.

244 111. 554; 82 111. 121.

See "Township." Organization, Purpose and Government. In the New England states, the town is for many purposes the unit of civil government. In other states, the county is the.unit, and the town has local government in only a few matters. Generally they are mere political organizations created wholly by statute for certain purposes of local government. They are vested with no franohises or special privileges for their own benefit, have only such powers as the statute confers, and are subject to no obliga- ^— In English Law. The term "towii" or "yill" comprehends under it the several species of cities, boroughs, and common towns.

1 Bl. Comm. 114.