[Grammar] owed restitution to? were owed restitution to?

[dodonaomik]

:up: In a 5-to-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that two upstate New York counties owed restitution to 3 tribes of Oneida Indians
for the unlawful seizure of their ancestral lands in the eighteenth century:tick:.　　

:?:Question: I feel very strange that how the counties owe restitution, because
the subject of owed should be someone(s) or a certain organization.
So in my eye, were owed should be used but not owed. Is my opinion wrong?





Dear teachers, sincere thanks!

 

[dodonaomik]

Suddenly, I think that the counties may mean the 2 counties' governments, am I right?

 

[SoothingDave]

A county is a "certain organization." A county is a subdivision of a state government. US states are divided into counties.

These 2 counties (the gov't, that is) harmed these Native American ("Indian") tribes, by talking their land unlawfully. So the counties (the gov't) owe restitution to the tribes.

The tribes are owed restitution. The gov't owes restitution.

 

[emsr2d2]

Suddenly, I think that the counties may mean the 2 counties' governments, am I right?

A county doesn't have a government. However, it does have some kind of authoritative body. In the UK, it would be a council. An AmE speaker will tell us who/what is in charge of a county in the USA.

Edit: Soothing Dave was typing his reply while I was doing mine.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Most counties in the US have some sort of government. This, as with many other things, varies from state to state.

Here is an overview: Overview of County Government

 

[dodonaomik]

Most counties in the US have some sort of government. This, as with many other things, varies from state to state.

:-oAh... ... as with, what's mean? Why is the phrase as with used here?
I feel as should be used here but not as with. I really cannot understand it, so could you help me? Big thanks!!!

 

[MikeNewYork]

:-oAh... ... as with, what's mean? Why is the phrase as with used here?
I feel as should be used here but not as with. I really cannot understand it, so could you help me? Big thanks!!!

I simply means that there are also other things that vary from state to state.