Section 15. Counties, as has been shown, are mere political divisions of the territory of the State, as a convenient mode of exercising the political, executive, and judicial powers of the State. All their powers are conferred and duties imposed by the legislature and statutes of the State. Were it not for constitutional restrictions, the legislature might change county seats at pleasure, or it might alter and change county lines, and even abolish counties and create new ones to suit public convenience or interest. The general rule seems to be, that counties can only exercise such powers as are granted by express words and those powers which are necessarily or fairly implied in or incident to the powers expressly granted, and those powers essential to the declared objects and purposes of the corporation, not simply convenient but indispensable.9

8 Rock Island County vs. Sage, 88 III., 582; State vs. Clark, 59 Nebr., 702; Trinity County vs. Polk County, 58 Tex., 321.

9 Harris vs. Board of Suprs. of Whiteside County, 105 III., 445; Wheeler vs. County of Wayne, 132 III., 599.