Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-12-31

N ern m L. M r.
MY Parker says: The
governing body, ex-
ecutive as we'll as legislative, Ia the
city council. The eighteen wards are
each represented by four members. one
having the title of alderman. and three
that OF councillor. all meeting in a sin
gle body. One Ia elected annually for
each ward. SO that two-thirds of the
councillors, and all the aldermen, have
had experience. They are chosen by
burgesses, who are male or female oc-
cupiers of any dwelling house. shop, or
mandatory, or Of any land or tene-
ment Of the annual value OF E10. The
difference between burgesses and par
liamentary electors is that women are
admitted to the former.
The parliamentary electors number
S1,O97. and burgesses and school board
electors 2,709. the difference represent
Ing with fair accuracy women voters.
Members Of parliament are elected by
districts. councillors from wards, and
the school board on a general ticket.
No two classes are voted for at the
same election. though practically the
same machinery il employed. The ex-
penditure permitted to municipal can
didates Is about ESQ each. Vacancies
In the council are filed by special cleo
ton. One alderman from each ward
is elected by the council for six years.
half the terms ending every three
years. As rule they are reelected In
definitely, party or fractional considera-
tons having little influence.
The council Is reorganized on the 9th
of November OF each year, when the
general purposes committee. comprised
OF the mayor as chairman, and the
chairman of each of the working CON-
mittees. dominates the committees for
the ensuing year. Outside persons are
appointed as additional members of the
Museum and School of Art Free Ii
braries and Technical Schools Commit
tees. who in practice control the techni-
cal work, the council members retain
ing financial management.
Each member OF committee pro-
posed Is voted for separately. The
wishes of individuals are rarely con-
suited until their names are presented,
when they may decline and be excused
None may serve on more than two COM
mittees. nor be chairman Of more than
one. Every effort Is made to secure
the very best results. No presidents
require the appointment OF old men,
bers even to important committees, and
a new member known to be capable and
interested in some special work has no
difficulty In obtaining an assignment
that may enable him to do his best
But in practice the experienced men
are reappointed without question. Each
committee selects Its own chairman
The council is a thoroughly repre-
sentative body. or the seventy-two
members OF the present council, TWEEN
ty-three are manufacturers, six are
classified as gentlemen (men retired
from business). six are provision mer-
chants, five are brass and iron found
ers, solicitors. jewelers., and medical
men respectively, three are merchants,
there are two each Of auctioneers, chem
lists, and diapers, while printers. teach
ers, butchers, bakers, glassworkers,
tin plate workers, and newspaper man
ayers each have one. So far as ! can
find out, but one publican has ever
been in the council, although this class
had much influence prior to 1871.
No member has any privileges on a
railway or public conveyance of any
sort, even on the tramways belonging
to the city, OF admission to q theater
Or entertainment, and no one is per-
mited to vote on a question when he
has a personal interest. He Is subject
to fine OF ESQ, with loss Of office, II he
enters into any contract with the city,
or sells an article of even the smallest
value to the council, or to any of it's
subsidiary or associated committees or
departments. So strictly Is this OBJ
served that a member of a committee
suspected OF desire to sell eligible
property to the city, was forced to re-
tire from public life.
When the work Of a committee Is ia
be discussed. It presents a report of all
It has done since its affairs were las,
before the council, setting out what II
proposes. This report or agenda must
be printed and sent to each councillor
three full days before the meeting
In some cases, especially when a new
scheme Is proposed, each member /,
requested to make a personal investiga
ton OF the conditions with which II
is proposed to deal.