The Lamar register., 1891-07-11
THEIR TOWN MEETINGS.
A CHARACTERISTIC NEW EMO
LAND INSTITUTION.
All Voters Attend-Debate Is General
Schooling for the People OF
Greatest Importance to
Good Government.

In New England the body of voters
In the town attend the stated March
| meeting at the call OF the selectmen,
says writer in Harper's Magazine.
1t is as mlch their duty to remain all
day and take part in discussing the af-
fair of the town as to cast their ballots
Tor governor or for presidential cleo
tors. The warrant for the town meet
ing notifies the townsmen of the busi-
ness that Will come before them. In
addition to the articles relating to the
regular and routine 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 minutely item
lied account OF the expenditures of
the past year. These items are criti-
cised or defended by the town. The
debate is general. Appropriations are
voted. Usually there is subject
which breeds excitement. 1t may re-
late to a project for a new school
house, to the opening of new street.
to the building of new sewer. The
work that shall be done for the COM
| ing year is determined. The manner
in which roads and bridges shall be
repaired is prescribed. All the busi-
ness transacted in villages by the
board of trustees is done by the towns
men themselves. Everyone knows
what is to be done, aud how it is to be
done Everyone has the opportunity
TO disclose what he knows of the mis-
| leasances of town officers, TO suggest
how work might have been better
lone, how money might have been
saved.
The results of this method in the
fiscal affairs of localities and upon the
| character of the state governments
| nave been indicated as fully az is possi-
BILE within a limited space The in
1uence of the town meeting govern
ment upon the physical character of
ihe country, upon the highways and
bridges, and upon the appearance OF
he villages is familiar to all who have
travelled through New England. The
sxcellant roads. the staunch bridges,
he trim tree-shaded streets, the uni
sersal signs of thrift and of the peo-
| ole's pride in the outward aspect of
| De dwelt upon.
The town meeting has also developed
IN intelligent, active minded, alert
public spirited people. Participation
n public business has induced a patri-
)tic interest in the art of government.
Il is true that the intelligence of the
lverage New England rural voter is
best shown in his opinions ami action in
own politics, but this simply indicates
hat the citizen should not unnecessarily
undertake the control OF matters not
affecting his own locality, nor should he
give 70 agents meeting in a remote
capital II large and important jurisdic-
ion over the individual. The New
\ England townsman knows how to tran
sact public business. The first task of
svery town meeting is the selection of
moderator. In New England town
| Yearly every man Of prominence has
| presided at one time or another over
ihe town meeting. Even they who have
| lot must be familiar with parliamenta-
~ law and practice. for the clear and
simple rules of Gushing and jefferson
are elaborately discussed. not only by
he lawyers and clergymen. but by the
loctors. the storekeepers the me-
shanics. and the farmers. It would be
| AAAhthlb 70 Lllu III u NeH Engtanu COM
| nunity a man who cannot take charge
Of public meeting, and conduct its
proceedings with some regard to the
forms that are observed in parliament
| .ary bodies. On the other hand, it
would be difficult in any other part OF
.he country TO find 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 participate in the work OF the
| government.
In other parts of the country hardly
anyone takes part in public affairs ex-
.ept the oficeholder. The effect of
| this is precisely what may be antici-
! pated. The man of the New England
Gown 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 meeting.
The Nickel In the Slot.
The nickel-in-tb slot machine is said