The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-21
THE TOWN MEETING.
A Characteristic New England Institu-
ton That Secures Good Rule.

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 governor 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 reg
ular 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 printed
copy of the town report. 1t contains 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. It may relate to a project for
a new school house, to the opening of a
new street, TO the building of a 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 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 opportunity
to disclose what he knows of the misfeas-
ances of the town officers, to suggest how
work might have been better done, how
money might have been saved.
The influence of the town meeting gov
eminent 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 developed an
intelligent, active minded, alert, public
spirited people. Participation in public
business has induced a patriotic interest
in the art of government. 1t is true that
the intelligence of the average New Eng
land rural voter is best shown in his opin-
ions and action in town politics. but this
simply indicates that the citizen should
not unnecessarily undertake the control of
matters not affecting his own locality, nor
should he give to agents meeting in a re-
mote capital large and important juris-
diction over the individual.
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 prominence has pre-
sided at one time or another over the town
meeting. Even they who have not must
be familiar with parliamentary law and
practice, for the clear and simple rules OF
Cushing and jefferson are deliberately dis
cussed not only by the lawyers and the
clergymen, but by the doctors, the store
keepers, the mechanics and the farmers.
1t would be difficult to find in a New
England community a man who cannot
take charge of public meeting and con-
duct Its proceedings with some regard to
the forms that are observed in parliament
airy 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
observances.
In New England there Is not voter who
may not, and very few voters who do not,
actively participate in the work of govern
ment. In the other parts of the country
hardly any one takes part in public affairs
except the ofIiceholder. 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.-Hen-
~ l. Nelson in Harper's.