The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-20
VI.

American system. IL lB mere. anu only needs
to be naturally developed.
vi.
Tho town meeting of New England Is the
counterpart Of the political meeting OF the
Swiss commune Both assemblies represent
the primary form Of the politco- social organ-
zation. Both lie at the foundation Of the
structure of the State. The essential objects
OF both are identical. namely. to enact local
regulations. to elect local officers. to fix local
taxation. and to make appropriations for local
purposes. In the one meeting, as in the other.
any citizen may propose measures and these
it is for the majority to accept or reject. In
word. the working principles OF New England
town and Swiss commune alike are the initia-
tive and the referendum. In recent study Of
the town-meeting system Mr.. II. l.. Nelson has
brought out many convincing facts as to its
superiority over government by town board.
For instance whore the cost for public lighting
in a New England town has been but 81. 600 in
a New York town Of the same size it has Mount
ed to S11 900. The cities Of Worcester. Mass.
and Syracuse. n. Y. each containing about
10000 inhabitants. were compared. with the
result that the New England city was shown
to be governed in every respect more econom-
cally. The fact is patent to every observer that
New England towns are superior to towns
in other parts of the country. with regard
to the extent OF sewers and paAed
streets. The aggregate Of town debts in
New England is vastly less than the az
gregate for an equivalent population In
the Middle States. In their fire and police
departments and in their public school and
water supply system New England towns ex-
eel the rest OF the country. The influence Of
the town me citing government upon the physi-
cal character Of the locality. upon the high
ways and bridges. and upon the appearance OF
the bridges Is familiar to all who have trav-
elled 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 as
poets OF their villages. are too well known to
DO dwelt upon. In every New England COM
munity many Of the m on are qualified by ex-
perience to take charge Of q public meeting
and conduct its proceedings with some regard
to the forms observed in parliamentary bodies
Elsewhere in the Union few OF the citizens
have any knowledge Of such forms and observ-
ances. 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 sections OF the country
except those that have adopted the New Eng
land system. hardly any one takes part In pub
lie affairs except the off1ceholder John Fiske
in his civil Government in the United
States" has recognized that the general ten
dency toward the spread OF township govern.
ment In the more recently settled parts Of the
United States is unmistakable. The first
Western State to borrow the town m citing
system was Michigan. but it now prevails in
four fifths OF the counties Of Illinois. in ono
sixth OF Missouri. whore 1t was started in 1870
and In ono-third Of the counties OF Nebraska,
which adopted 1t In 1888 while 1t has been car
red much further in Minnesota and Dakota,
in which states It has heen prescribed by law
since 1873 and 1883 respectively Fiske notes
that within its proper sphere. goverum ont
by town meeting Ia the form OF government
most effectively under watch and control.
Everything is done In the full daylight OF pup
LEFTY. The specific objects for which public
m oney Is to be appropriated are discussed in
the presence Of everybody. and Amy one who
disapproves OF any OF these objects. or OF the
way proposed for It's attainment, has an OBJ
portunity OF declaring his opinion. Although
the lnha btant OF a New England town may
think and talk loosely about the Government
of his State. or the still more remote Govern
ment at Washington. he is kept pretty close to
the facts where local affairs are concerned
and In this there Is political training
OF no small value The same writer remarks
in the New England townsa tendency to retain
good men In offlce 5such as has been OBJ
served in Switzerland. The annual election
affords tho means Of dropping an unsatisfac-
tory offlcer. Yot In practice. nothing Is more
common than for the same persons to be re-
elected as seectmen or constables or town
clerks year after year. as long as they are will
ing or able 10 serve. In another particular
the New England township resembles the
Swiss commune; some Of the town officials
serve without pay. and mono OF them recelves
an exorbitaut salary.
VII.
Now lot US look at the facts collected with
reference 10 the application OF the referendum
In American States. cities and counties. The
data relating to the adYancn of diract lanisln