River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-07-16

A Characteristic Institution of Early New
England.

England
In New England the body of voters
In the town attend the stated March
meeting at the call of the selectmen.
1t is as much their duty to remain all
day and to take pars In discussing the
affairs of the town - to cast their bal
lots for governor or presidential elect
ors. The warrant fol che town meeting
notifies the townsmea of the tusiness
that will come before them. In add.
ton to the articles relating to the regu-
lar and routine proceedings of the occa-
sion are special articles which have
been inserted in the warrant at
the request of private citizens.
Each voter has a printed copy of
the town report 1t contains a mi
nutely itemized account of the expendi-
lures of the past year. These items are
criticised or defended by the town. The
debate is general appropriations are
voted. Usually there is a subject
which breeds excitement 1t may re-
late to a project for a new school-house.
to the building of new sewer The
work that shall be done for the coming
year is determined. The manner in
which roads and bridges shall be re-
paired is prescribed All the business
transacted Ia villages by the board of
trustees is done by the townsmen them
selves. Everyone knows what is to be
done. Everyone has the opportunity to
disclose what he knows of the misfea-
sances of town officers, to suggest how
work might have been better done, how
Ynnnav rniuh4 have hppn saved
The results of this method in the fis-
cal affairs of localities and upon the
character of the state governments have
been indicated as fully as is possible
within limited space. The influence
of the town-meeting government upon
the physical character of the country,
upon the highways and bridges, and
upon the appearance of the villages, is
familiar to all who have travelled
through New England. The excellent
roads, the stanch bridges, the trim tree
shaded streets, the universal signs of
thrift and of the peoples pride in the
outward aspects of their villages, are
too well known to be dwelt upon.
The town meeting has also devel-
oped an intelligent, active minded, alert
in public business has induced a patri-
otto interest in the art of government.
1t is true that the intelligence of the
average New England rural voter is
best shown in his opinions and action
in town politics, but this simply indi-
Gates that the citizen should not I'M
necessarily undertake the control of
matters not affecting his own locality,
nor should he give to agents meeting
in remote capital large and impor-
tant jurisdiction over the individual.
The New England townsman knows
how to transact public business.
The first task of every town meet
ing is the selection of a moderator. In
New England town nearly every man
of prominence has presided at one time
or another over the town meeting.
Even they who have not must be IA
miliar with parliamentary law and prac-
tce, for the clear and simple rules of
Cushing and jefferson are deliberately
discussed not only by the lawyers and
the clergymen, but by the doctors, the
store keepers, the mechanics and the
farmers. 1t would be difficult 10 find in
New England community man who
can not take charge of public meeting
and conduct its proceedings with some
regard to the forms that are observed
in parliamentary bodies. On the other
hand, it would be difficult in any
other part of the country to find a
citizen who has not held Office who has
any knowledge of such forms and OBJ
servances In New England there is
not voter who may not, and very few
voters who do not, actively participate
in the work of government. In the
other parts of the country hardly any
one takes part in public affairs except
the office-holder. The effect of this is
precisely what may be anticipated.
The man of the New England town is
equipped for the larger stage of the
state or nation. The tyro from New
York who is sent to Congress must
learn the lesson which the other ac-
quired in the town meeting. Henry l..
Nelson, in Harper's Magazine.