The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-12-16

ccutive as well az legislative. Is 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 sim
Gle body. One Ia elected annually for
each ward. 20 that two-thirds OF the
councillors. and all the aldermen, have
had experience. They are chosen BY
burgessea. who are male or female oe-
cupiers Of any dwelling house. shop. or
mandatory or Of any land or tene-
ment Of the annual saluo Of el0. The
difference between burgesses and par
liamentary electors 70 that women are
admitted 70 the former.
The parliamentary electors number
h,091, ard hurgesses and school board
electors % 100. 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 az the
same election. though practically the
same machinery Is employed The ex-
pendiluro permitted 10 municipal can
didaies e abou. Geo each. Vacancies
In the council arc filed BY special elec-
ton. One alderman from each ward
ls elected By the council for six years.
half the terms ending every three
years As rule they are re-eles,ed IN
definitely, party or factional eonsldera-
lions having little influence.
The council Is reorganlzed on the Oh
Of November Of each year, when the
general purposes committee. comprised
OF the mnvor as chairman. and tho
chairman O. each Of the working CON-
mitiees. nominates the committees for
the ensuing year Outside parsons are
appointed A. additional members OF n,
Museum and School Of Art Free II.
hrari0a. and Technical schoois Commit
ices Vic In practice control the tochnl-
cal work. the council members retain
Ing financial management.
Each member OF a committee pro-
posed Is voted for separately. The
wishes OF individuals arc rarely con-
suited until their namos are presented.
when they may decline and be excused.
None may serve on more than two con-
mitteos. nor be chairman Of more than
one. Every oflor, IA made 10 secure
the very best results No prccedents
require the appointment Of old men,
bers even 10 important committees. ana
a new member known to be capable and
Interested In acme special work has no
dificulty In obtaining an assignment
that may enable him 10 do his best.
But In practice the experienced men
are reappolnied without qrss;:e.. s s.ss..
committee selects ils own chairman.
The council Is a thoroughly repre-
sentative body. on the seventy-two
members Of the present council. twon-
ty-thrce are manufacturers. Elk arc
classified as gentlemen linen retired
from businessl. six are provision mer-
chants. Eve are brafs and iron found
Ors. solicitors. jewellers. and medical
men respectively. three are merchants.
there are two each Of anstloneers. chem
lists, and diapers. while printers. teach.
era. butchers. bakers. glassworkcrs.
tin-plate workers. and newspaper man
ayers each have one. So far as can
End 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
railway or public conveyance Of any
sort. even on the tramways belonging
20 the city. or admission TO a theatcr
or entertainment. and no one Is per-
mited 10 vote on question when he
has a personal interest He Is subject
to fine OF ESQ. with loss OF Office. II he
enters into any contrac, 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 q desire to sell eligible
property to the city. was forced to re-
tire from public life.
when the work Of a committee is 10
be discussed. Il presents a report Of all
Il has done since rs affairs we're last
before the council. setting out what It
proposes. This report or agcnda 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 IA
requested to make personal invesliga-
tion Of the conditions with which Il
Is proposed TO deal.