§ 171. Powers of supreme court justices residing in Erie county to appoint court officers to attend terms. In addition to the constables, or deputy sheriffs, notified by the sheriff to attend a term of court pursuant to section four hundred and three of this chapter, the justices of the supreme court of the eighth judicial district residing in the county of Erie, or a majority of them, shall, in their discretion, appoint and at their pleasure may remove one or more court officers to attend at the justices' chambers and at special terms of the supreme court held in the county of Erie.