The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-06-12
dealers.
THE TOWN MEEIING.

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 part in discussing the affairs of the
town, as to cast their ballots for Gov
ernOr 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 proceedings 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 a infinitely
itemized account of the expendi-
lures of the past year. These
items are criticised or defended by the
town. The debate is general. Appro-
priatiOns are voted. Usually there is
subject which breeds excitement. 1t
may relate to project for new school
house, to the opening of 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 pre-
scribed. All the business transacted in
villages by the Board of Trustees is done
by the townsmen themselves. Every one
knows what is to be done, and how it is
to be done. Every one has the Opportu-
nifty to disclose 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 results of this method in the fiscal
of nj pf nd ha l,at
ter 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 high.
ways and bridges, and upon the appear
ancc 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
plide in the outward aspects of their vii
lagos, are too well known to be dwelt
upon.
The town meeting has also developed
an intelligent, active-minded, alert, pub
lic-spirited people. Participation i'll pub
lie business has induced a patriotic in
terest 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 poll
tics, but this simply indicates that the
citizens should not unnecessarily under
take the control of matters not affecting
his own locality, nor should he give to
agents meeting in remote capital
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 a moderator. In a New
England town nearly every man of prom
inence has presided at one time or another
over the town meeting. Even they who
have not must be familiar with the par
liamentary law and practice, for the clear
and simple rules of Gushing and Jetfer-
son are elaborately discussed not only by
the lawyers and clergymen, but by doc
tors, the store-keepers, the mechanics
and the farmers. 1t would be difficult
to find in New England community
man who cannot 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
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
acquired in the town meeting.-FrOm
"TOWn and Village" bg Henry L. Nelson
in Hdrper's Magazine for June.