§ 197. Appointment of confidential clerks by county judges of Kings, Queens, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Rockland, Dutchess and Saint Lawrence counties and by special county judge of Erie county. Each of the county judges of the counties of Kings, Queens, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Rockland, Dutchess and Saint Lawrence shall, and the special county judge of the county of Erie may, appoint and at pleasure remove, a confidential clerk. Such clerks shall be exempt from competitive examination, and their fitness and qualifications for the office shall be approved by the judge making the appointment.