Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-12-10

y, W Parker says: TIL
W. governing body, ex
ecutive as we'll as legislative, is thu
city council. The eighteen wards arr
each represented by four members, one
having the title OF alderman, and three
that Of councillor, all meeting In a sin
gle body. One is elected annually fol
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, OF
mandatory, or Of any land or tene-
ment Of the annual value Of 210. The
difference between burgesses and par
liamentary electors is that women are
admitted to the former
The parliamentary electors number
81,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 is employed. The ex-
pendlture permitted to municipal can
dldates Is about ESQ each. Vacancies
in the council are filled 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 a rule they are reelected in
definitely, party or factional cOnsidera-
tions having little influence.
The council is recognized 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 COM
mittees dominates the committees for
the ensuing year. Outside persons are
appointed as additional members Of the
Museum and School Of Art, Free LII
brarles, and Technical Schools Commit
tees, who In practice control the techni-
cal work, the council members retain
ing financial management.
Each member of a 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 precedents
require the appointment of old MEM
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 thoroughly repre-
sentative body. OF the seventy-two
members Of the present council, twen-
ty-three are manufacturers, six are
classified as gentlemen linen 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
railway or public conveyance of any
sort, even on the tramways belonging
to the city, or admission to a theater
or entertainment, and no one is per-
mited to 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 contract with the city,
or sells an article Of even the smallest
value to the council or to any of its
subsidiary or associated committees or
departments. So strictly Is this OBJ
served that member Of committee,
suspected Of desire to sell eligible
property to the city, was forced to re-
tire from public life,
When the work Of committee is to
be discussed, 1t presents a report of all
it has done since its affairs were last
before the council, setting out what it
proposes. This report or agenda must
be printed and sent to each councillor
three full days before the meeting.
In some cases, especially when new
scheme is proposed, each member is
requested to make personal investiga-
ton Of the conditions with which it
Is proposed to deal.