Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-28
THE GOVERNMENT OF CITIES.

better government Of our large cities.
Its title is, can act to provide for the
increase and diminution of the powers
of municipal corporations, having a
population Of not less than twenty
nor more than forty thousand
inhabitants" The latter figure must
be raised a trife, if it is intended to
affect Memphis, as the first section pre-
scribes that the population shall be de-
termined by the United States census
Of 1870, and on referring to that au-
thoritY, we find Memphis credited with
a population Of 1925, just enough to
place it beyond the scope of the title
and first section Of the bill.
TIE second section gives the Mayors
of such cities a term Of two years, re-
curing the qualification Of two years
residence previous to election. Every
law, ordinance, resolution or vote OF
the City Council is made subject to
the Mayors approval before going into
effect, a two-thirds vote being required
to override his objections. These two
features Of a longer term and larger
powers would make the Mayors Office
more important, giving something Of
stability to city government, and re-
curing at the hands of the people IN
creased exertions Cor the election Of
none but good men. An excellent pro
vision is the requirement that ga full
and complete statement of the financial
condition Of the city shall be made by
the Mayor every THREE months, and
published for the benefit Of taxpayers,
as well as the City Council.
The third section, providing that the
City Council shall elect the Mayor, in
case Of a vacancy, is of questionable
policy. There would be but little prac-
teal objection in cases where the va
cancv occurred near the end Of the
term. but it is Just as liable to happen
a few weeks or months after inaugUra-
ton. when the choice of the City Coun-
ell would fill out the term Of nearly
two years. Every motive for making
the municipal executive elective by the
people, in the first place, would apply
in such a case, and the P resident Of the
Board Of Aldermen could act as Mayor
pending a special election. The bill
might be amended by prescribing that
vacancy occurring during the first
year or eighteen months shall be filed
by popular election, bat that, occurring
subsequently, the Office shall then be
filed by the President Of the Alder
manic Board, or the City Council.
The fifth section introduces another
novelty, providing that only half the
Aldermen and Councilmen shall be
elected each year, the other half hold
ing over. This would give city legisla-
ton something Of permanency, guard
ing against the dangers Of passing,
temporary issues, and rendering posi-
bic definite policy Of financial man
agsment, free from the liability Of be-
ing completely upset OF reversed by a
single election.
a third provision of Importance Is
that requiring a system Of registration,
and that every one entitled TO vote
shall present his certificate Of registra-
ton at the polls. In our large cities,
some such plan is absolutely necessary
to prevent frauds Of various kinds, by
imported voters, reporters IN different
wards and so on.
Another commendable feature is the
section forbidding cities to appropriate
money for pageants, excursions and
parades. The moral effect Of such eel
brati5ns, for instance, as Washington's
birthday, depends altogether on how
far they reflect the real sentiments Of
the people, which are best expressed IN
the way Of volunteer subscriptions by
individuals. a Napoleonic pageant,
paid for out Of the tax-box, may amuse
the people while it misrepresents their
sentiments. Such forced" demon
STATIONS have no moral significance.
The same section forbids cities sub
serfbiug for stock IN railroads or other
corporations.
Section p Of the bill provides that
the cities to be affected shall be each
divided into eight wards, containing as
nearly IS possible an eruaI number of
voters. This may suit very well, IN so
far as It determines the number Of Al
dermen and COuncilmen. For election
purposes, further Subdivisions, by way
Of voting precincts, would be eminent
" desirable. The population Of Mem
pbis today is perhaps fifty thousand,
which would give each ward a popula-
ton of over SIX thousand souls.
Taking the usual proportion Of voters
to population, this would give each
ward about one thousand voters. Such
a number is altogether too large for
one precinct, if we wish to make reas-
enable provisions against election
frauds and riots, as well as otberincon-
veniencies.
Other sections impose on persons
making contracts with cities or city
officials. the duty Of seeing that the
latter d. not exceed their legitimate
powers ii the premises; if the outside
parties neglect this duty, and the con-
tract proves unlawful, it Is declared
null and void, without recourse on the
city. Municipal property and funds
are made exempt from execution, at
tachment OF other legal process, and
10 Judgment or decree Is to be exc
cuted except by u1andaDIUs.
Among minor changes which are
commendable, we note a provision that
all elections by the city council shall