Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-21
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT,

|
The system of municipal government. in
vogue throughout New England, and, indeed
generally speaking, throughout the United
States, has not in every respect proved a
marked success. Its most cgregious failure
s in New York city, where the board of al
dcrmen is largely made up of rumsel crs and
members and representatives of the danger.
Gus classes and its highest success is in those
New England communities where the boards
are made up of reputable and trustworthy
citizens who perform the duties of their o..
flee faithfully and conscientiously. In even
these, however, the results arc In many re.
spects unsatisfactory, aud it is decidedly
curious that no radical change from the
prevailing system has never been tried, and,
indeed, Fever advocated very strenuously,
even. The genius of Iankeedom, so activein
other and multifarious directions, would seem
never to have grappled with this problem of
municipal government in serious manner,
though it is a problem in which every citizen
has direct personal interest The New
York commission to which the legislature
| entrusted the investigation of the matter, re-
ported in favor of Withholding the municipal
franchise from those who paid no tax either
on personally or realty; but that solution Of
the problem never was popular or satisfac.
tory one and never will be. The town of
| Waltham, Mass, has determined 10 ask for
city charter, and the people, thinking that
perhaps something better than the common
form OF city government is possible, have
appointed committee to consider the sub.
ject and report, and this committee invites
suggestions from all sources The Worceste,
Spy, apropos of this, makes some suggestion:
that are worthy of notice. 1t points out somt
OF the prominent defects of the system now
in vogue-the deprival CT the Mayol
of any real power, the union of lcgis!a.
tive and executive powers in the SAINT
person, and the fact that the board, with its
frequent evening sessions attracts but little
public attention to its proceedings and is
not so amenabe to public opinion as it ouch,
to be. The .Spy's plan is to have an organ
ization intermediate between the town anf
the usual form of city government. Thus
let the city council consist of single board
with comparatively large number of mem
bers, one hundred or even more, twelve or
hfteen from each ward. Instead of meeting
frequently and occupying itself with Tho
executive details of city work, as our coun
ellis now do, let it have two or four rerula,
sessions in the year, being confined 10 strict,
legislative functions, considering the renort,
OF the executive officers, approving OF
amending their plans for public work, ant
making the necessary appropriation. O.
course the board could be called together i,
special session by the mayor upon any emcr
9ency. Let the mayor be the chief cxccutly,
officer with authority to appoint all subord
nate administrative officers provided for b,
the charter or the legislative branch of tn,
government. If it is thought unsafe to en-
trust The appointing power to him. wi,hou
check upon improper appointments, ,
council or board of aldermen, or wha,eyo,
else 1t might be called, could be elected
having no legislative functions. but Will
authority to confirm the mayors appoipt
ihents' and perhaps advise him In othel
matters. The mayor and his heads Of de
parlments would report at the beginning Of
the year the condition Of the city business
the plans Of the public works proposed, an,
c'niH''s OF INC sums needed To cary on III,
government. Tie legislative branch w5ul,
organize, appoint The necessary committees
and probably adjourn for a few DAYS unit
the committees were ready to report. Their
two or three days might be occupied witt
debates the passage of the appropriation
bills tho laying out of programme of pub.
tic work, the making of changes in the or.
dinances and bylaws, if any seemed expedi.
ent, and so forth. Other sessions during the
year would be short and devoted to a few
special subjects.
Under this plan, the city legislature, hay.
ing larger number of members. would be
more truly representative than such bodies
now 1t would contain some leading men Of
the best ability and character from each
ward business men would be willing To
serve on it, as the demands upon their time
would not be excessive; and the larger
number OF members of the city government,
would diifuse the knowledge of city bust.
ness IN contemplation aud in progress more
generally among the people, and the concep-
tration OF the actual business in two or three
short sessions would fix public attention
more distinctly upon it and give to the
members sense of acting under the public
eye. The plan has some decided merits
ana IN the current discussion of the general
SUBJECT is worth attention and remembrance