The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-05-27


ecutive as we'll as legislative, IL 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 Is elected annually TOT
each ward, 20 that two-thirds OF the
councillors, and all the aldermen. have
had experie. ce. They are chosen by
burgesses, who are male or female &C.
cupiers of any dwelling house, shop, or
mandatory, or OF any land or tene'
ment of the annual value OF GlO. Th'
difference between burgesses and par
liamentary electors Is that women are
admitted to the former.
The parliamentary electors number
1907, and burgesses and school board
electors 81, 7O9, the difference represent
ing with fair accuracy women voters
Members Of parliament are elected by
districts, councillors from wards, and
the school board on general ticket.
No two classes are voted for at the
same electit /, though practically the
same machinery Is employed. The ex-
penditurc 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 factional considera'
lions having little influence.
Tho mum NJ io ronrUa n ivod IN Tho 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
braries, 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 men,
bers even to important committees, and
q new member known to be capable and
interested in some special work has no
difficulty in obtaining an assignment
xhok ,rov ouohlo him n dO his hest
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, TWEEN
ty-three are manufacturers, six are
classified as gentlemen linen retired
from business), six are provision mer-
chants, Ave are brass and iron found
ers, solicitors, jewelers.. and medics'
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 mar
ayers each have one. So far as ! can
and 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 9
railway or public conveyance OF any
sort, even on the tramways belonging
TO the city, or admission to theatel
or entertainment, and no one Is per
spj.ed - vots on . question whap h'