The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-03
BERLIN, A MODEL CITY.
THE FEATURES OF ITS MUNICIPAL
GOVERNMENT.
The Best Citizens In office-The Ad-
ministration, Taxation, Schools, and
Other Features-A Model for Ameri-
can Cities.

can Cities.
Boston Correspondence OF New York Evening Post.
Tonight's lecture in the Old South
course on Municipal Government and
Reform" was delivered by Mr.. Sylves-
ter Baxter, well known Journalist
and magazine writer Of this city, who
has had abundant and repeated OPP
portunity for studying upon the spot the
subject OF his lectnre-Berlin the capital
OF Germany. He regards II as model
city, and quoted the opinion OF Prof. Rich
ard I. Ely that it was the best governed
city in the world. He explained the rise
of the German cities from the middle ages,
and then spoke in detail OF the government
| of Berlin. The most essential portions OF
| his lecture were rs follows
While throughout the Empire univer-
sal manhood suffrage prevails, in the city
government the suffrage is slightly re-
! stricted Every honest inhabitant obtains
the electoral franchise after a years resi-
| dence and ut the age of twenty-iouT, II he
pays what is called class tax on an in
come OF about $780, These restrictions
|
| 10 per cent less in number at municipal
elections than in Imperial elections. In the
| government OF Berlin we have the spectacle
OF one Of the greatest cities Of the world
administered with the utmost economy
and efficiency, attaining the most splendid
results for the comfort and convenience OF
the public, without the suspicion Of job
berry, and everything attended 10 with the
| thOroughness and conscentiousness which
here We are only accustomed 10 expect in
private enterprises. Public spirit is also
nourishcd into splendid growth by this
system. Over 10000 citizens take part in
the administration OF affairs, and in the
| city government one looks for the best and
most prominent citizens among the MEM
beers, and not tho worst, and finds them,
too. For example, there are men like
| Prof. Nirchow, Prof. Gneist, and o<ers
from the University, and natural lcauNe'
in public liie-men OF worldwide reputa-
ton and ranking as slatcsmen-taking
their regular part in the routine Of city ai-
/ fairs. Prof. Gneist has been member OF
the city government since 1915 To shirk
these responsibilities is hardly possible for
any man, even II 1t were desired, for
every citizen is obliged, under penalty Of
a fine and heavy increase Of taxation, TO
accept any position TO which lac may be
elected.
The Berlin system aims at the greatest
efficiency and economy with thoroughly
popular representation. The broad basis
Of the Government is TO be found in the
| Municipal Assembly, body composed OF
l26 members, representing the 326 wards
OF the city. One-haf at least must be
house owners, and two brothers, or father
4 III 4 l.
the same time. The members Of this body
are chosen for six years, onc-third retiring
| every two years. This gives peTmaneucy,
q principle which is embodied firmly
| throughout the municipal system, and the
changes in German city government are
gradual, not violent. The long terms OF
the members gives them experience. This
assembly Is the representative of the poo
pie. and out OF il grows all the rest OF the
municipal government IL has the entire
financial control OF affairs, being supreme
in drawing up the budget for the year
and authorizing extraordinary cXpendi-
/ lures IL has no executive functions ~
body, but its members exercise them indi-
yidually in association with other branches
Of government
The Assembly chooses the upper branch
OF the city government known ~ the Mag
istracy, and composed OF the Mayor and
/ Board ui Aldermen, the latter thirty.two
In number, fifteen Of whom are salnried,
! while seventeen are honorary members,
with no salaries whatever The Mayor is
chosen for twelve years, nominally subject
to the approval Of the King Ills salary is
5000 marks, equal Ia about y. 800, which,
IN iis purchasing value In Germany, would
be- substantially the same ~ the 200
paid to the Mayor OF Boston. IL is posi-.
ton Of the highest honor, and may be con.
sdcrcd equivalent 30 life position for
when there Is vacancy in this office in a
German city, Il is customary Tor t.,a au-
thurtics 10 survey the field throughout
the country aud select from the mayors Of
other cities some man Of the highest quail
iiiCatious for executive aud general bust
moss efficiency, aud the person thus agreed
upon can generally make his own condi.
tun9 and be Burc Of reelection when his
term expires, II hc does not choose 10 70.
tire upon liberal pension. One Mayor
Of lvTiin, just chosen, refused to accept
/ The position unless certain Objectionable
state laws were repealed, and thc Govern
| mCnt was prevailed upon 10 take such
action. The Mayor Of Berlin has general
direction Of the Board Of Aldermen. and is
almost absolute in the disposal oi is bust.
| ness.
The llilcen salaricl Aldermen are elected
Tor twelve ycIn 10y lhc Municipal Council
with especial regard 10 their qualifications
/ Tor ihc departments over which they are
81 rule. Their salaries being higher than
those of the local JUICES and the higher
members Of the Civil Service, the Offices
are made attractive 90 the bcs. class oi
men who have received thorough train
| ing la the splendid Civil Service OF Prussia,
| from which they arc chosen. II H. the Gus
| tom 90 rc-clcct these men on the oxrira.
ton Of their terms, u they do not choose
/ g. retire on their pensions These paid
Aldermen consist ut the Deputy Mayor,
/ two legal advisers, the City Treasurer, two
! school cOunsrllun, two architects, aud
sUycn Aldermen without title, who may be-
assigned 10 any positions they arc 10 10 oc.
cupy These men correspond 10 the heads
ct our various department commissions,
but 10 BE- great advantage 10 have them
regular members OF the Board Of Aldermen,
where they may take par, In tho dclibcu.
lions.
Tho seventeen unpaid Aldermen are
chosen 10y the Assembly for terms OF six
YEAR, aud are usually taken from the
higher class Of citizens aud, indeed. from
those mCmbCu Of the Assembly itself who
have distinguished themselves by ycars OF
efficient service. These positions are 81
tccmcd great honor. and the incumhcnls
assume the same duties as those Of the
paid Aldermen. They are also usually re-
elected pt tho ends ul tleir tnrtna 40 that