Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-04-09
cErY noYnnNMnNT.


csTy GOVERNMENT,
Hon, Joseph Chamberlain, In the
Forum. for November, 1892, had an
interesting article on "Municipal In
stitutions 10 America and England"
lie says; 1.-THE total annual muni-
cipal expenditure excepting the APP
preparations for schools and aims
houses), of Birmingham, is only
| 81, 665, 900, while that OF Boston is
SO, 1914. 900, or more than six times
that OF Birmingham, " and adds, alter
discussing the causes OF this enormous
disproportion, ave may at once dis
cuss the idea that it is to be attributed
to a more liberal franchise, the suffrage
is more widely extended in Birming-
ham than in Boston," The same
state of affairs, though the dispropor-
ton is not so great, exists IN the cities
of Berlin and New York, yet no one
will venture to say that the American
metropolis is better governed than the
German capital.
The most practical reform in a mis-
governed city is to elect an honest, in
telligent citizen as a mayor, provided,
Of course, he is vested with the power
OF appointment and removal; n who
has the courage to act according to his
convictions; q judge Of human nature,
and the fact that he has been success
full in his private life is not at all OBJ
iectlonable, Mr.. Chamberlain was a
successful manufacturer Of Birming-
ham. He served thrice as mayor with
great success.
1t is a very fair definition of a mayor
to say he is the chief magistrate of a
city. Outside of the powers vested in
him by law, he should minister to the
happiness and safety of the people, ir-
respective Of politics, religion or birth;
he should keep a watchful eye over the
expenditures Of the different depart
ments, and whilst he should encourage
public improvements for the health and
comfort Of the citizens, he should, at
the same time, instill economy, vigi-
lance and rigid honesty into every
20
branch of municipal affairs.
The word ''mayor' first occurs in the
year 1889, when Richard l substituted
a mayor for the two bailiffs OF London.
To this day, most of the mayors Of the
larger cities are chosen by the "city
fathers and not by direct vote of the
people. In some of the German cities
he is appointed for life, ''bepe gerens,"
or during good behavior.
The burgomaster (burgermeister) of
a German city-Berlin, for example
is an expert IN the general art of mu-
nicipal administration. Associated
with him in the magisterial councils
are experts in law, in finance, in edu-
cation, IN engineering, in sanitary sci
ence, IN public charity, in forestry and
park management and in water and
gas supplies. Although the analogy will
seem a little crude, it will answer the
purpose to compare the governmental
structure of a German city with that
of a railroad corporation. The board
of directors chosen by the stockholders
appoint a general superintendent, or
manager, a general passenger agent, a
general freight agent, a chief legal adj
wiser, a chief engineer, a superintend-
ent of motive power, etc. The share
holders represent the voters of Berlin,
the board of directors the municipal
council, the general superintendent the
burgomaster, and the general
officers at the heads Of the depart
ments the magistrates. The choice of
the burgomaster, however, is subject
to the approval Of the emperor, who
may veto, without giving his reasons,
the election of anyone not in SYM
patty with him. The present head
mayor, or burgomaster, of Berlin, Herr
Zelle, is a liberal of pronounced views,
and whose party is opposed to the en-
.eror. This did not interfere with his
confirmation, as he is a gentleman OF
dignifed and courteous manners, and
an ideal parsonage for a mayor.
A LETTER OF INQUIRY.