The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-03

The Two chambers are supplemented by
a body OF seventy citizen deputies, as they
are called, selected by the Assembly from
distinguished citizens to serve in general
committees for the administration OF spe-
cial affairs. such as the relief of the poor, the
adm inistration OF the schools, etc. At the
head OF these committees an Alderman
acts as chairman, and other Aldermen may
be leading members. Members of the AS
sembly, together with the citizen deputies,
form the rest OF the membership. Under
this executive staff OF 230 members-all
honorary officials and mon of independent
means, who can afford to give their time
to the city--there is a large staff OF paid Off
cias who are appointed for life, as is the
rule in the German civil service. This
system OF life appointment combines ell
cheney with cheapness, for man is nat
uraliy willing TO serve for lower salary
when assured OF employment for life. Sal
aries are also increased with increase of
efficiency and the first few years OF official
life are probationary.
In Berlin and some other large cities the
police is administered by the State instead
OF the city. The force consists of about
| 5000 men, besides their officers, and the
expense, amounting to nearly 100000 a
year, is borne by the city. The great
transformation in the appearance OF the
streets of Berlin which has taken place
within the past twelve years, is due to a
change Of administration from the State
TO the city. The State, up TO 1874, had
the maintenance OF the Berlin streets in
charge and was reluctant to grant suifi-
cient sums for the purpose. Therefore
visitors were astonished at the wretched
condition of the pavements, sewers and
bridges. But since the city has taken the
work in charge, the change has been car
ried on with magnificent enterprise and
energy. The perfect pavements, beautiful
| new bridges, fine public carriages, the
best street railway system in Europe, the
| excellent water supply, and the gigantic
sewerage system illustrate this.
The system OF taxation comprises an in
come tax OF 3 per cent. on all incomes
above a certain amount, a house rent and
tax, divided between the landlord and ten
ant and various minor special taxes. The
relief of the poor is performed by 223 local
commissions, comprised OF between four
and twelve citizens or honorary members,
with the Assemblyman OF the district as
member ex oflicio. Something like 1000
citizens take part in this work, and only
vagabonds and altogether unworthy per-
sons are sent to the workhouse. The
charitable institutions OF the city are nu-
merous and well conducted. The relief OF
the poor for lSSl-S2 cost over 81, 100, 600
This system probably accounts for the alb
sence OF evidences OF distressing poverty.
The contrast between Berlin and London
in this respect, with the brutality, crime,
| degradation and misery Of the latter city,
is almost as marked as that between para
disc and tleiniernal regions. The fire bri-
gade OF Berlin is military organization
with 100 men, besides officers, and was
maintained in 1882 nj q cost OF about $50, =
900. The cleaning OF the streets is
admirably done. 1t always takes place be-
tween midnight and o'clock in the morn
ing a marked contrast to the method
prevailing with us, where we frequently
sec a street sweeping maching operating at
midday, filling the air with filthy dust, to
the annoyance OF multitudes. Dirt, snow
and ice az promptly removed, and the
sidewalks as well as the roadways are
thoroughly cleaned by the city. The
street railway paves portion Of the streets
aud pays a percentage Of its receipts to
| the city. Bcrlin's revenue from this
source is about $3.50, 900 year and in 1911
the street railway, with its entire equip.
ment, will become the property of the
city. The municipal gasworks yielded, at
last accounts, something like Is per cent
Of the entire annual expenditure Of the
city rs profit. The water.works. also,
yield an annual profit OF considerably over
500, 600, and even the great sewerage sys-
TEN produces something like net revenue
OF the same figure, through the annual
rates imposed upon house-owners for the
Use oi sewers.
The school system Of Berlin il one OF the
| prides Of the city. II is controlled by a
| School Board composed Of members Of the
city government, superiniendents OF the
church diOcescs with the dean Of the
Catholic Churches and oighty-scven local
committees upon which something like
| 1900 citizens serve. There were in 1881
| IFS large common schools, attended by
| rich and poor alike, with ll2 head masters,
! l,i7l teachers, 1I schoolmistrcssrs, and
/ blj technical instructors There are, be-
| sides, ten gymnasiuns, corresponding 10
our Latin schools, seven rcalschools, cor
responding TO our English high schools,
| two industrial schools, and four high
schools for girls, all very largely attended,
/ besides six state schools, comprising four
| gymnasium, one rcalschoOl, aud one high
school for girls. Another school Institu.
ton has been founded by the city 10
enable apprentices aud clerks 10 continue
their studies. There arc twelve schools
/ Oi this kind. There arc also Sunday
classes for young people Of both sexes,
maintained chiefly by private subscription.
/ Every school building has a gymnasium.
large and well equipped, for athletic in.
struclion, and besides there Is turnhallc.
great and model institution ior athletic
training, also something like ninety pri.
yaio schools These aro also under the
supervision Of the public school authori.
ties, and must conform 10 the public
standard. There are also twenty-five pub.
lie libraries. mostly Ia the charge OF the
heal masters, for lending instructive books
ifce Of charge.
The ne, debt Of the city II but little over
SiOl0,ODO q decrease OF nearly -. OO0. OlO
since 1876 This Is contrast 10 New
York, whose net debt Is over SlOO. O1D. 900
Owing to the excellent condition of the
finances, Berlin has founded n number of
institutions Of credit on the security of tho
wealth OF the city. Onc Is a municipal
savings bank, with deposits now amount.
Ing 30 about az, 100000, with thirty.uiuc
Offices Tor receiving deposits in various
parts OF the city. IL paws inicrrat of si
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