Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1891-07-02
The Town Meeting.
[ From Harper's Magazine.]

In New England the body of voters in
the town attend the stated March meet
ing at the call of the selectmen. 1t is as
much their duty to remain all day and to
take part in discussing the affairs of the
town, as to cast their ballots for gov
ernof or for presidential electors. The
warrant for the town meeting notifies
the townsmen of the business that will
come before them. In addition to the
articles relating to the regular and rou-
tine proceeding of the occasion are
special articles which have been inserted
in the warrant at the request of private
citizens. Each voter has printed copy
of the town report. 1t contains min
utely 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 relate to
project for new school house, to the
opening of a new street, 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 repaired is prescribed. All the
business transacted in villages by the
board of trustees is done by the towns
men themselves. Everyone knows what
is to be done, and how it is to be done.
Every one has the opportunity to dis
close what he knows of the misfeasances
of town officers, to suggest how work
might have been better done, and how
money might have been saved. The re-
suits of this method in the fiscal affairs
of localities and upon the character of
the state governments have been indi-
Gated as fully as is possible within a
limited space. The influence of the town
meeting government upon the physical
character of the country, upon the high
ways and bridges, and upon the appear
ance 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 univer-
sal signs of thrift and of the peoples
pride in the outward aspt cts of their viii
lagos, are too well known to be dwelt
upon. The town meeting has also de-
veloped an intelligent, active-minded,
alert, public spirited people. Participa-
ton in public business has induced pa
triotic interest in the art of government.
1t is true that the intelligence of the
shown in his opinions and actions in
that the citizens should not unnecessarily
undertake the control of matters not
affecting his own locality, nor should he
give to agents meeting in remote CAPT
tai large and important jurisdiction
over the individuals. The New England
townsman knows how to transact public
business. The first task of every town
meeting is the selection of 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 familiar
with the parliamentary law and practice,
for the clear and simple rules of Cushing
and Jefferson are deliberately discussed
not only by the lawyers and clergymen,
but by doctors, the store keepers, the
mechanics and the farmers. 1t would be
difficult to find in New England COM
munity man who cannot take charge
of a public meeting. and conduct its pro-
ceedings 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 observances. In New England there
is not voter who may not, and very
few voters who do not, actively partici-
pate 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 pre-
cisely 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 acquired in the
town meeting.